Greek Yogurt is one of the purest yogurts that has been strained. It makes it thicker and creamier – but that does not affect nutrient values. What else could affect them has been adding up processed sugars and other ingredients, making it more delicious but unhealthier. Greek Yogurt goes across a lot of names around the world. Strained yogurt is the one we already mentioned. Second is sack yogurt, kerning yogurt, and finally – sour milk or yogurt cheese. Thick, creamy, and healthy, is Greek yogurt paleo-friendly?
Greek Yogurt is unacceptable for consumption while observing a Paleo diet, especially if you are following a strict version of this diet. This is because dairy products are not allowed on a strict Paleo. For those following a strict Paleo diet, some of the best Paleo alternatives to Greek yogurt are Coconut Yogurt, Soy Yogurt, and Almond Yogurt.
In this article, we will discuss the different types of Greek yogurt and its health benefits. We will also discuss paleo alternatives to Greek yogurt. Let’s get started!
Contents
Is Greek yogurt considered healthy?
There are numerous types of yogurts available in the market, like plain, nonfat, and many more, but Greek Yogurt has its significance. There’s a vast range of yogurts available, that offer an exceptional resource of potassium, protein, zinc, calcium, and vitamins B6 and B12. Greek yogurt’s denser, smoother texture differentiates because the liquid serum protein is strained out.
Regular intake of two bowls of Greek Yogurt can positively impact your health by providing rich protein, calcium, iodine, and potassium while giving you a nourishment feel with fulfillment for few calories. But more importantly, yogurt provides healthy microbes for the intestinal tract that may affect the whole body.
Different Types of Greek Yogurt
Let’s have a quick look at each kind of Greek Yogurt and analyze their components.
Cabot Plain Greek Yogurt
Ingredients:
- Pasteurized Milk
- Cream
- Whey Protein Concentrate
- Milk Protein Concentrate
- Live Active Yogurt Cultures (Acidophilus, Bifidus, L. Bulgaricus and S. Thermophilus)
- Vitamin A palmitate
- Vitamin D3
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per 3/4 cup serving):
- Total Calories: 230
- Total Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
- Sodium: 80mg
- Potassium: 277mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 9g
- Protein: 14g
Cabot Low-Fat Plain Greek Yogurt
Ingredients:
- Pasteurized Milk
- Skim Milk
- Whey Protein Concentrate
- Milk Protein Concentrate
- Live Active Yogurt Cultures (Acidophilus, Bifidus, L. Bulgaricus and S. Thermophilus)
- Vitamin A palmitate
- Vitamin D3
Prepared using 2% low-fat dairy products, Cabot Low-fat Plain Greek Yogurt provides consumers with a similar taste, but with a lighter touch. Plain Greek Yogurt can also act as a substitution for sour cream whenever you want to lighten up your preferred recipes, no matter whether you’re serving up soups, Mexican favorites, or seared goods. Or just plain top with your favorite fruit, sugar, or cereals for a healthy, tasty breakfast. It is also ideal for delicious dips, and it spreads.
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per 3/4 cup serving):
- Total Calories: 130
- Total Fat: 3.5g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
- Sodium: 85mg
- Potassium: 308mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 8g
- Protein: 16g
Cabot Low-Fat Strawberry Greek Yogurt
Ingredients:
- Pasteurized milk
- Skim milk
- Whey protein concentrate
- Milk protein concentrate
- Live active yogurt cultures (Acidophilus, Bifidus, L. bulgaricus, and S. thermophilus)
- Vitamin A palmitate
- Vitamin D3
- Strawberry flavoring [Sugar, water strawberries, natural flavors, modified corn starch, fruit, and vegetable juice (color)]
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per 3/4 cup serving):
- Total Calories: 180
- Total Fat: 2.5g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 70mg
- Potassium: 225mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 26g
- Protein: 13g
Cabot Triple Cream Vanilla Bean Greek Yogurt
Ingredients:
- Cream
- Whey protein concentrate,
- Milk protein concentrate,
- Live active yogurt cultures (Acidophilus, Bifidus, L. bulgaricus, and S. thermophilus)
- Vitamin A palmitate
- Vitamin D3
- Pasteurized milk
- Whey protein concentrate,
- Live active yogurt cultures (Acidophilus, Bifidus, L. bulgaricus, and S. thermophilus)
- Vanilla Bean flavoring [Sugar, water, natural flavors, modified corn starch, lemon juice concentrate, pectin, vanilla
bean seeds, annatto (color)].
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per 3/4 cup serving):
- Total Calories: 260
- Total Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
- Sodium: 65mg
- Potassium: 224mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 26g
- Protein: 11g
Cabot Plain Nonfat Greek Yogurt
Ingredients:
- Modified corn starch
- Pectin
- Vitamin A palmitate
- Vitamin D3
- Cultured pasteurized skim milk
- Carrageenan
- Vitamin A palmitate
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per 3/4 cup serving):
- Total Calories: 80
- Total Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
- Sodium: 85mg
- Potassium: 287mcg
- Total Carbohydrates: 13g
- Protein: 6g
Cabot Triple Cream Chocolate Mousse Yogurt
Ingredients:
- Live active yogurt cultures (Acidophilus, Bifidus, L. bulgaricus, and S. thermophilus)
- Vitamin A palmitate
- Vitamin D3
- Chocolate Base (Water, sugar, alkalized cocoa powder, natural flavors, modified corn starch, lactic acid, salt)
- Contains milk
- Greek Yogurt (Pasteurized milk, cream, milk protein concentrate, whey protein concentrate)
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per 3/4 cup serving):
- Total Calories: 350
- Total Fat: 17g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
- Sodium: 125mg
- Potassium: 380mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 34g
- Protein: 16g
Potential Benefits of Choosing the Paleo Diet
- Stimulates healthy blood glucose
- Enhanced sensitivity to insulin
- Lower blood pressure
- Weight-management which includes the reduced waist circumference
- Better cholesterol balance
- Improvement in the indulgence
- Lower all-cause mortality
In most people, the transition to Paleo Nutrition will lead to increased veggie and fiber intake, important for gastrointestinal health and general infection concentrations. In addition to the many personal stories of improving health and well-being, introductory studies about Paleo Nutrition have had positive findings of blood glucose and cholesterol levels.
Even though this research has few sample dimensions, additional research should be done to better understand Paleo, like a nutrition and lifestyle suggestion for your personal health needs.
Healthy Alternatives to Greek Yogurt
The Coconut Collaborative Coconut yogurt
A popular alternative to yogurt manufactured with coconut milk, coconut yogurt contains identical asset cultures easily found in the dairy range. Coconut yogurt is plentiful and creamy, which makes it an excellent option for people looking for a particular type of yogurt that can be included within their paleo lifestyle. It also contains the features of many of the similar vitamins and nutrients discovered and made with dairy products.
Predictably, coconut yogurt has a characteristic coconut taste that might prevent everyone who isn’t a follower of the fruit. It also features a little less protein than dairy-based or soy yogurts.
Ingredients:
- Coconut Milk
- Coconut Water
- Corn Flour
- Potato Starch
- Stabilizer (Pectin*)
- Non-Dairy Cultures ( S. Thermophilus + L. Bulgaricus, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Bifidobacterium Lactis)
Here is some important nutrition information to note:
- Total Calories: 150
- Total Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 9.8g
- Sodium: 0.024g
- Total Carbohydrates: 6.8g
- Protein: 1.2g
Silk Soy yogurt
This particular type of yogurt substitute that vegans like, soy yogurt, is produced from soy milk and is similar to dairy yogurts in both taste and consistency. You can purchase this kind of yogurt at many stores, although most people prefer to make it at home—all you are required to do is replace regular dairy milk with soy milk!
Soy is a comparatively frequent allergen, so it’s essential to consider this before making soy yogurt part of your routine paleo diet.
Ingredients:
- Soymilk (filtered water, soybeans)
- Cane Sugar
- Corn Starch
- Tricalcium Phosphate
- Pectin
- Natural Flavor
- Dipotassium Phosphate
- Sea Salt
- Citric Acid
- Live and Active Cultures
- Mixted Tocopherols
- Vitamin C Ester (to protext freshness)
- Vitamin D2
- Contains Soy
Here is some important nutrition information to note:
- Total Calories: 150
- Total Fat: 4g
- Sodium: 29.5mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 22g
- Protein: 6g
Silk Almond yogurt
Such as coconut yogurt, almond yogurt possesses slightly different properties, such as less protein relative to dairy or soy yogurts. It’s appropriate for people with paleo, gluten-free, or vegan lifestyles, and it tends to have a smooth, creamy consistency and a sweet taste.
Though it does not have a similar probiotic and most active cultures such as yogurt, it is a healthy option that provides some of the advantages of almonds, beginning with extra nutrients, antioxidants, and vitamins shown to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Ingredients:
- Almond Milk (Filtered Water, Almonds)
- Cane Sugar
- Pectin
- Calcium Citrate
- Calcium Phosphate
- Vitamin D2
- Live and Active Cultures
- Contains Almonds
Here is some important nutrition information to note (per 3/4 cup serving):
- Total Calories: 190
- Total Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Total Carbohydrates: 11g
- Protein: 6g
Difference of opinion between Greek Yogurt and Regular Yogurt
Regular and Greek Yogurt are made from the same ingredients but differ in nutrients. While regular yogurt tends to have more negligible calories and more calcium, Greek Yogurt has more protein, less sugar, and a much heavier consistency.
In Conclusion
Suppose you are considering adding Greek Yogurt as part of your daily routine being on the paleo diet, we would recommend steering clear from this addition, as it is mainly produced with dairy products. And since paleo is purely based on foods formerly included specifically for meat lovers and other nutritional food, this is not a good fit for your new lifestyle.
There are a plethora of options available in the market with different tastes and flavors that contain refined and strained components, providing a creamier and dense concentration without affecting its nutritional composition. Greek Yogurt is merely a non-paleo form, so it is recommended not to consume it within a paleo diet.
Customers have a wide range of choices for Greek Yogurt alternatives like almond yogurt, coconut yogurt, and soy yogurt. Based on the consumer’s taste preferences, all of these can be consumed by those who don’t want to compromise on their health or their routine diet plan. Now everyone can enjoy a flavorful yogurt substitute when prioritizing their health!
Related Questions
Is a Paleo Diet safe and beneficial for everyone?
The ideal proportion of meat or carbohydrates appears to vary among individuals according to their diet patterns keeping their personal health constraints in mind. It is essential when you are considering any diet plan, that you consult with your doctor, or health advisor. Determine your needs as it relates to tracking cholesterol and blood sugar fluctuations to ensure that the Paleo Diet is appropriate for your body.
Is Greek yogurt good for weight loss?
Even though protein levels are neutral across the board, eating Greek Yogurt in itself would be unlikely to make a particular person consume more calories. But eating Greek Yogurt as a portion of a well-balanced diet that contains sufficient protein, fiber-rich carbohydrates, and healthier body fat may aid weight reduction and increase metabolism to promote a healthy digestive system and, in turn, result in potential weight loss.
Is Greek yogurt a probiotic?
Yes, Greek yogurt is naturally a fermented food and contains probiotic cultures, highly beneficial for gut health.