My GREEK Yogurt RANT!!! Please read this

keem88

MiO is listed as having less than 2 % of natural flavors. Other listed ingredients are citric acid, propylene glycol, malic acid, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, potassium citrate, Allura Red AC 40, Brilliant Blue FCF 1 and potassium sorbate. Red 40 is banned in some European countries and is not recommended for children. Blue1 has been banned in a number of European countries.

yes, it is much better for you to put that in your yogurt. oh, wait...

rduhlir

OP...epic fail using Dannon Greek Yogurt...sorry...but true.

melindasuefritz

so u get the plain and add real fruit

Alison12121

That's so true. I was shocked when I actually realized how much sugar was in the yogurt. If I really want yogurt, I make my own with the plain yogurt.

melindasuefritz

and the lite ones have fake sugar

highervibes

I buy full fat unhomogonized yogurt, I think its' made with 4% and I add a Truvia, raspberries and 2tbsp of ground roasted flax. Delicious and low in sugar. It's LC friendly because of all the fibre in it too.

Sieden76

Mio has that God awful artificial sweetener in it so it's not much better for you and when it comes to making a choice for the greek yogurts, don't choose the honey one, of course that one will have more sugar. I'm eating the Fage with Strawberry right now and it's got 16g of sugar. Sure that is more than your other yogurt but it's not enough for me to freak out about.

Also look at the amount of sugars that are in your fresh fruits... about the same amount that's in this yogurt and people survive if not thrive on 80/10/10 fruitarian diets. I'm not saying that I agree with it but they do somehow do it. I just think that everything in moderation is the key and certainly 16g of sugar in this yogurt for a normal person isn't too much.

jasonheyd

If anyone's interested in my geeky little comparison of a few plain Greek yogurts, here's a Google Sheets spreadsheet that I put together:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Al5RZKHzjd6wdEdiU2hoTlgtMFZIY1pGZXE4b1k1OXc&usp=sharing

You can figure out which is best for your personal dietary goals based on different ratios like protein:carbs.

For what it's worth, I'm not sure why anyone's surprised that adding sweet flavoring to plain yogurt increases the carbs and sugar, assuming that sweet flavoring is something other than artificial sweetener or a natural no-cal sweetener like Stevia. Even Siggi's flavored yogurts have increased carb/sugar, and they only add real fruit and agave syrup.

And peachfigs, I kinda think you're confusing "plain Greek" with "authentic Greek". Chobani and Fage are both Greek yogurt. Some of their varieties happen to be flavored Greek yogurt. There are some brands out there, like Yoplait I believe, that are "Greek style", which typically indicates the addition of thickeners (guar gum, corn starch, etc.) to the yogurt itself. Chobani and some others will have pectin or corn starch added to the fruit mixture, but the yogurt itself is the same in those packages as in the plain variety.

And I really think the full / no fat argument's more a question of preference than authenticity. Skim milk, 1% milk, 2% milk, whole milk. It's still milk. Same with yogurt.

Edit: And, for what it's worth, "REAL GREEK YOGURT" -- as in, what you find in Greece, is pretty commonly made from sheep's milk. ;-)

peachfigs

And peachfigs, I kinda think you're confusing "plain Greek" with "authentic Greek". Chobani and Fage are both Greek yogurt. Some of their varieties happen to be flavored Greek yogurt. There are some brands out there, like Yoplait I believe, that are "Greek style", which typically indicates the addition of thickeners (guar gum, corn starch, etc.) to the yogurt itself. Chobani and some others will have pectin or corn starch added to the fruit mixture, but the yogurt itself is the same in those packages as in the plain variety.

And I really think the full / no fat argument's more a question of preference than authenticity. Skim milk, 1% milk, 2% milk, whole milk. It's still milk. Same with yogurt.

Edit: And, for what it's worth, "REAL GREEK YOGURT" -- as in, what you find in Greece, is pretty commonly made from sheep's milk. ;-)

Chobani is Greek STYLE. I can't talk about Fage because I haven't seen it or tasted it.

Also, yes, you're right, real Greek yogurt is often made with sheep's milk. It's gorgeous stuff.

I know the difference between plain and authentic, I just wanted to point out that what people are commonly referring to as Greek yogurt isn't the real thing, and if they want the health benefits of Greek yogurt then they aren't going to get those by eating something like Chobani or Oikos.

jasonheyd

Chobani is Greek STYLE. I can't talk about Fage because I haven't seen it or tasted it.

Chobani and Fage are pretty much the same, as are the others I've listed on the spreadsheet above.

Chobani's ingredients are milk and cultures, and their fruit varieties add a jelly/jam-like mixture that includes pectin and guar gum (edited... I mistakenly said corn starch originally).

Chobani's made by straining milk, no thickeners added.

So, while you're entitled to your opinion, that don't make it so. ;-)

peachfigs

So, while you're entitled to your opinion, that don't make it so. ;-)

Same goes for you. I'm not making this into some silly debate. I just feel that the label should be "Greek Style"

Apparently it's not just my opinion either:


"US yogurt producer Chobani has lost a court case in the UK over the “misleading” labeling of its Greek yogurts.

Following a seven-day trial, which was initiated by a complaint from Greek rival Fage, Chobani was told by a High Court judge that the labeling on its product was “confusing” for UK consumers.

Mr Justice Briggs granted a permanent injunction and said Fage had succeeded in its claim to “restrain Chobani from passing off its American-made yogurt in England and Wales under the description Greek yogurt”."

http://www.keeptalkinggreece.com/2013/03/28/us-chobani-loses-court-case-in-uk-sorry-youre-not-greek-yogurt/

sunshyncatra

I hate all the added sugar in the flavored yogurts. I treat them as a desert if I ever eat them. I don't use artificial sweetener, but I will add fruit or a teaspoon of honey to my plain greek yogurt. I also love experimenting with making dips with it (most recently roasted garlic and pepper). I also use it to make creamy tomato pepper soup. Yum!!!

KenosFeoh

I recently switched from flavored fruit yogurts to plain because of how high in sugar they are, although sugar is not a problem for me at this time (no diabetes, pre-diabetes, in danger of diabetes, etc). If I'm going to have sugar, give me fine chocolate!

But stevia and splenda = BLEH! I like my yogurt (greek, greek style, regular) plain with a few unsweetened berries and maybe a tablespoon or two of granola on top for crunch (I know granola is high in sugar too, which is why I'm using it as a topping).

Really though, not having a problem with sugar metabolism, the rant really doesn't apply to me.

gottogetinshape

Ok everyone, before I start my rant I know that some of you will not agree with me or simply do not care because you are not diabetic and only count calories. But just take the time to listen to what I am telling you because I used to be that way, I never counted my grams of sugar or carbs for that matter. I only counted calories and fat because I thought that was all that mattered. Boy was I wrong; unfortunately, it was not until I developed diabetes that I found I was wrong. That’s why I cringe when someone tells me “Oh I do not count my sugar” see to them (and most people) if you do not eat cakes, cookies, candy bars, pies, etc you are not really eating sugar. My friends I am sorry to say that you are so wrong on this one.

Having said that let me start telling the truth about GREEK yogurt. Although, this is true about all yogurts, but I will just talk about GREEK.

Ok, I can almost see your faces, yogurt is good for us! Well, yes you are right, but it is the yogurt that is good for you, all of the added crap is not and that is what makes it bad, They put this extra stuff in it so it will taste super good and you will inturn buy it, because the word Yogurt is seared in our brains of being healthy. The same as we think a bagel is also good for us, when it’s loaded with carbs that turn into sugar in our bodies.

Here are the cold hard facts: (you can also see it at http://www.dannon.com/greek/)

5.3oz container of Dannon plain greek yogurt has:

Calories – 80
Fat – 0
Carbs – 6 grams
Sugar – 6 grams
Protien – 15 grams

5.3oz container of Dannon Honey Greek Yogurt has

Calories: 140
Fat – 0
Carbs – 23 grams
Sugar – 21 grams
Protein – 12 grams


As you can see it’s a no brainer that the plain is the best for you, not just because you are on a diet but because of the sugar and carbs. See everyone there are 4 grams of sugar in a teaspoon. So that means while you are eating the Dannon Honey GREEK Yogurt it is the same thing as eating 5.25 teaspoons of sugar! Would you just sit there and eat that much sugar on purpose? Guess what?? A plain Hershey bar has 26 grams of carbs and 24 grams of sugar! So basically, when you eat the honey, pineapple or any other then the plain you are eating the same amount of sugars and carbs then a Hershey bar. (http://www.hersheys.com/pure-products/hersheys-milk-chocolate-bar/standard-bar.aspx)

Not to mention the carbs also break down as sugar in our bodies.

See I have learned by taking classes about nutrition that they send you to when you are diabetic that sugar is sugar, no matter if it’s simple or natural. Your pancreas does not know the difference.

These extra carbs and sugars are not just in the honey GREEK yogurt, it is in all yogurts flavored with fruit or other junk. That is not natural fruit, I mean read the ingredients. When you eat the blueberry, are you trying to tell me that the jelly looking stuff around the blueberry is natural?

OK, now that I have that out of the way I wanted to explain what I do and how versatile plain GREEK yogurt is. Yes, it has a bite to it just like sour cream, so use it like it, in your recipes that call for any sour cream. You will be adding wonderful protein.

I add a teaspoon of Stevia that’s all natural and no calories. You can use Splenda as well. Then I will add my own fresh fruit if I want fruit in it. If I want something a little different I will add some MIO and that is wonderful in it! Since GREEK yogurt is so thick and creamy you can flavor it with stevia & vanilla extract to make a healthy cake icing, There are plenty of recipes for healthy low carb/sugar cakes.

Ditch the salad dressing or veggie dip! I cannot tell you enough how filling this even is because of the protein, but take you a 5.3oz container of plain GREEK yogurt and add some dill or the seasoning you want. The spice isle has so many different flavors now, like chipotle, Italian, etc. this is wonderful people!!

I say play around with different flavors; they have so many spices & extracts out there that will add no extra calories, carbs or sugars. In fact I am enjoying my strawberry/pomegranate yogurt now, flavored with MIO :glasses:

The title of your post made me think you were criticising ALL Greek yogurts. Now I see you just mean the flavoured ones. Phew! I LOVE natural Greek yogurt and it's great in moderation. Yum yum.

margaretturk

I agree with you about the flavored and sugared yogarts not just Greek. For that much sugar you might as well eat ice cream.

I think your rant brings out the importance of reading foods labels. There is hidden sugar in many processed foods. Thanks for your post.

jasonheyd

So, while you're entitled to your opinion, that don't make it so. ;-)

Same goes for you. I'm not making this into some silly debate.

Apparently it's not just my opinion either:


"US yogurt producer Chobani has lost a court case in the UK over the “misleading” labeling of its Greek yogurts.

Following a seven-day trial, which was initiated by a complaint from Greek rival Fage, Chobani was told by a High Court judge that the labeling on its product was “confusing” for UK consumers.

Mr Justice Briggs granted a permanent injunction and said Fage had succeeded in its claim to “restrain Chobani from passing off its American-made yogurt in England and Wales under the description Greek yogurt”."

http://www.keeptalkinggreece.com/2013/03/28/us-chobani-loses-court-case-in-uk-sorry-youre-not-greek-yogurt/

From everything I've seen about the case that you reference, Chobani had a problem not because of the ingredients or the way the yogurt is made, but because of WHERE the yogurt is made. They've had no such issues here in the U.S. and both Chobani and Fage are labeled as Greek yogurt.

Regardless, folks can read the ingredients & decide for themselves what they want to eat.

keem88

Mio has that God awful artificial sweetener in it so it's not much better for you and when it comes to making a choice for the greek yogurts, don't choose the honey one, of course that one will have more sugar. I'm eating the Fage with Strawberry right now and it's got 16g of sugar. Sure that is more than your other yogurt but it's not enough for me to freak out about.

Also look at the amount of sugars that are in your fresh fruits... about the same amount that's in this yogurt and people survive if not thrive on 80/10/10 fruitarian diets. I'm not saying that I agree with it but they do somehow do it. I just think that everything in moderation is the key and certainly 16g of sugar in this yogurt for a normal person isn't too much.

thank you! i posted something too about the ingredients found in mio, many which are hard to pronounce. and tasty artificial coloring to, mmmm mmmm mmmm. just add some real fruit to plain yogurt, sheesh

peachfigs

So, while you're entitled to your opinion, that don't make it so. ;-)

Same goes for you. I'm not making this into some silly debate.

Apparently it's not just my opinion either:


"US yogurt producer Chobani has lost a court case in the UK over the “misleading” labeling of its Greek yogurts.

Following a seven-day trial, which was initiated by a complaint from Greek rival Fage, Chobani was told by a High Court judge that the labeling on its product was “confusing” for UK consumers.

Mr Justice Briggs granted a permanent injunction and said Fage had succeeded in its claim to “restrain Chobani from passing off its American-made yogurt in England and Wales under the description Greek yogurt”."

http://www.keeptalkinggreece.com/2013/03/28/us-chobani-loses-court-case-in-uk-sorry-youre-not-greek-yogurt/

From everything I've seen about the case that you reference, Chobani had a problem not because of the ingredients or the way the yogurt is made, but because of WHERE the yogurt is made. They've had no such issues here in the U.S. and both Chobani and Fage are labeled as Greek yogurt.

Regardless, folks can read the ingredients & decide for themselves what they want to eat.

Absolutely, I eat Greek style & Greek yogurt. Both are tasty, even if the latter is my favourite.

I'm not going to comment on the rest of it because it's like flogging a dead horse and I know better.

2stepscloser

Have you tried the Dannon light and fit?
It only has 80 calories, 8 carbs, 12 protein, and 6 sugar. Plus, it tastes great!

cranium853

I thought I was going to have to hunt you down and kill you because I do love the Greek yogurt. Your comments were well-stated. I just add fresh fruit or a tablespoon of sugar-free jam AKA preserved fruit if I want sweetness. Dairy in some form is helpful (didn't say essential because someone will challenge that) and the Greek does it for me. We have to read the labels.

Timshel_

I cant' recall the Greek yogurts I get, but I treid a bunch of them. Some taste so dang chalky.

sushiforbrains

Never thought to flavor it with MIO. Brilliant!

jasonheyd

I'm not going to comment on the rest of it because it's like flogging a dead horse and I know better.

I was actually thinking that we might be debating semantics more than anything. Could be terminology differences too if we're on opposite sides of the pond.

And BTW, I meant the opinion comment in jest, but it probably didn't come across the screen pixels that way despite the attached ;-) ... Apologies if so.

margaretturk

I agree with you about splenda and stevia. I did make this today and enjoyed it .
One sccop fage greek yogart
1 tbsp high quality cocoa powder
1 tsp honey
sea salt to taste
It had the texture of Chocolate mousse and was satisfying. If there is extra sugar to be put into food I Iike to do it.
The 6 grams of sugar in plain yogart is from the natural sugar that is in milk.

peachfigs

I'm not going to comment on the rest of it because it's like flogging a dead horse and I know better.

I was actually thinking that we might be debating semantics more than anything. Could be terminology differences too if we're on opposite sides of the pond.

And BTW, I meant the opinion comment in jest, but it probably didn't come across the screen pixels that way despite the attached ;-) ... Apologies if so.

You're probably right, it's okay!

I'm looking at the ingredients in the Chobani plain right now, and it's not as bad as I thought. I guess I'll let you off on that one. I think I dismissed it as "Greek Style" because the majority of their yogurts have a pool of fruit puree at the bottom and added flavouring which ruins the concept of it for me.

The rest of the stuff in our UK supermarkets though, like Oikos, Yeo Valley, Muller, etc. is not Greek though. It tastes vaguely like it but it's still full of rubbish.

lsmsrbls

MIO is crap.
I touted it until I started to notice how it reacts with water and the stains it leaves behind..notice it makes the water kinda "climb" the sides of the glass when you drink it? That is a chemical reaction happening and since I am not a chemist who can explain it I stay awy from it and caution others away from it.

And Fage 0% from Costco is BOMB and not crap like those others listed.

I've never used mio, so I haven't seen water kinda "climb" the sides of the glass, but I can pretty well assure you that what you're describing is due to a physical change and not a chemical reaction.

I'm not suggesting mio is good, but since you're not a chemist and clearly don't know much about chemistry, you should probably stop advising people about that kind of thing.

GeekAmour

I'm not going to comment on the rest of it because it's like flogging a dead horse and I know better.

I was actually thinking that we might be debating semantics more than anything. Could be terminology differences too if we're on opposite sides of the pond.

This. Greek yoghurt, GREEK (why was it written in caps like that??) style yoghurt, yoghurt yoghurt.... no added sugar = good, added sugar = bad.

I just had to read this thread because Greek yoghurt is one of my great food loves, thick, tangy, filling & DAMN DELICIOUS, & I wanted to know why anybody would be hating on it. BTW, adding heaps of sugar, honey, other sweeteners or artificial sweeteners does not a healthy yoghurt make.

peachfigs

I'm not going to comment on the rest of it because it's like flogging a dead horse and I know better.

I was actually thinking that we might be debating semantics more than anything. Could be terminology differences too if we're on opposite sides of the pond.

This. Greek yoghurt, GREEK (why was it written in caps like that??) style yoghurt, yoghurt yoghurt.... no added sugar = good, added sugar = bad.

I just had to read this thread because Greek yoghurt is one of my great food loves, thick, tangy, filling & DAMN DELICIOUS, & I wanted to know why anybody would be hating on it. BTW, adding heaps of sugar, honey, other sweeteners or artificial sweeteners does not a healthy yoghurt make.

Yeah, agreed. Especially as the 'honey' people put on their fake Greek yogurt isn't what real honey tastes like anyway. It's still honey, but a sort of processed, sugary version of it. But hey, that's a different post!

I think Greek yogurt is great as a salad dressing! Is that weird!?

EmilyEmpowered

:flowerforyou:

I think Greek yogurt is great as a salad dressing! Is that weird!?

Reading this whole post was worth it, because now I am going to try using Greek yogurt as salad dressing! Thanks!

alisa1958

Well you are on the right track. Many people think all yogurts are created equally. That can
not be farther from the truth. I, myself, eat the Chobani Plain Non Fat Greek Yogurt with only
9 grams of sugar in a serving. I add a couple of spoonfuls of Activia Light Vanilla Yogurt
and then I add fresh fruit (mostly sliced banana and fresh strawberries). I then
top it with Go Lean Kashi Cereal as my "granola" , but more healthy.

The bottom line is you have to check the sugar grams in yogurt. Some small containers
have as much as 30 plus grams of sugar.................that is how many teaspoons, to many

Yogurt is starting to get a bad rap because of all the sugar that is put in them.

Bottom line: choose Greek plain yogurt only to start with and never buy yogurt that is flavored
or have "fruit" in it.

I find Chobani PLAIN non fat greek yogurt the LOWEST sugar of ALL the yogurts and believe
me I have checked them ALL.