A New Yogurt to Try
I decided that when I am in the grocery store, I should regularly buy a healthy product I haven’t used before and try it. It is easy for me to keep using the same products I have already tested, and potentially miss out on newer healthy treats and foods. One I recently tried was Chobani Greek Yogurt. I chose Blueberry Nonfat, but they also had strawberry, peach, honey, vanilla, and plain.
I choose it because I had heard several people raving about Greek style yogurt being extra thick, so I was thinking it might make a good snack or dessert. One container had 140 calories (a little higher than I usually go for a snack, but not too bad) and its ingredients are nonfat milk, blueberries, sugar, natural flavor and 5 live cultures. I like that - short, sweet, and to the point.
The texture and flavor did not disappoint - very thick and creamy. In fact, it reminded me very much of a thick vanilla ice cream or maybe a fat slice of cheesecake. And there were whole blueberries in the bottom with a little sugary syrup that I stirred in. Very creamy and very delicious. So I will add them to my very short list of favorite yogurts - Dannon All Natural, Lowfat Vanilla , Stoneyfield Farms Vanilla or Coffee flavor, and now Chobani Greek Yogurt.
Basically, what I am looking for in a healthy yogurt is a low fat milk to start, natural sugar, and live cultures (the more the better). If it doesn’t come with fruit, I have no problem adding my own fresh or frozen fruit. In fact, I prefer a good vanilla yogurt and my own fruit. I regularly make a bowl of fruit and use just a spoonful or two of yogurt. And if fiber and regularity are what you are looking for, just add a spoonful or two of ground flaxseeds or whole oats. In my opinion, that is just as effective and healthier than some of the new products with those claims.
So the next time you’re in the grocery, read a label or two and pick a healthy product to try and let me know about it!
March 13th, 2009 at 11:33 am
Kathy,
This Greek yogurt sounds yummy. Have you tried Kefir? Its a probiotic with the same general consistency of yogurt, but with more cultures. I buy plain and mix in fresh fruit. Sometimes I used it to mix with my protein drink after a workout. Just something new for you to try.
Jeff
March 14th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Jeff -
I do love Kefir. We often use Raspberry Kefir with frozen berries, vanilla yogurt, and ice to make smoothies. I haven’t tried it with protein, but it sounds good. Thanks!