Instead of sugary, processed yogurt, try Greek Yogurt. But…
Do you like to reach for a yogurt for a quick breakfast or snack? Yogurt contains a lot of protein and digestive enzymes, so it can be a really good choice. But many mass-market yogurt brands you find in grocery stores are filled with processed ingredients and corn syrup or artificial sweeteners. These are not good choices and not at all healthy. If you missed our last series post, find it here. You can read the list of chemicals and ingredients we try hard to avoid.
When you walk the dairy aisle at the grocery store, you might see this:
or even this (cringe):
Both of these options are more like dessert than a healthy meal or snack. If you’re used to brands that look sort of like this, or only eat the varieties with syrupy fruit on the bottom, we’d like you to try something new: plain Greek yogurt.
Wait, plain? Greek – huh?
But wait.
Plain Greek yogurt, like this one by Fage, (pronounced fah-yeh) has more protein than most yogurt, and less sugar and carbs. Also, the sugars are all naturally derived and don’t come from corn syrup or artificial sweeteners. The Greek version is strained differently than other types of yogurt making it easier to digest.
But…plain?
Yes and no.
We encourage you to start with plain, Greek yogurt and add your own toppings. That way, you control the amount of sugar and carbs and fun stuff you’re adding. Not the manufacturer.
Here are some ideas:
Start with plain Fage, or another brand without added, syrupy fruit. Then, add your own fruit and other toppings for taste and texture. Granola is fun, but many varieties can be sugary, so add in moderation. Plain almonds add good fat and fiber. Other nuts work too. And we like to add a drizzle of honey instead of sugar. You don’t need a lot.
Again, you’re controlling the sugar and carbs.
It’s also fun to add just a few chocolate chips once in awhile.
Other toppings:
- Dried cranberries, blueberries, or cherries
- Acai berry
- Sunflower seeds
- Banana
- Cinnamon
- Dry cereal
Here’s our finished Greek parfait. Notice how we loaded up on fresh fruit and kept other toppings to a minimum. If you wean yourself off fruity, processed yogurt, you might notice yourself needing to add less and less sweet toppings to your creation.
Give it a try!