Yogurt benefits without the yogurt?

diverdiza

Hi all.

One of the first articles I came across when I joined MFP explained that yogurt was particularly good for weight loss (I recall the article was along the lines of avoiding yogurt may be one reason you are not losing, and it referred to research done which showed how yoghurt eaters lost substantially more compared to people not eating yogurt.)

So I started eating yogurt even though I have for years avoided most milk items because it definitely increases my mucus levels. Call me lactose intolerant?? Anyway the result: increased mucus PLUS (and it MAY be coincidental) SUBSTANTIALLY increased gas levels + constipation. (I am definitely getting enough fibre so that's not the issue )

And 3 weeks later this is still going on.

So my question is does anyone know how one gets the benefits of yogurt without the disadvantages? Would calcium and probiotics supplements do the same job?

And before anyone suggests non-dairy yogurts I have searched but I cannot find any in South Africa. Maybe my Google skills are failing me?

Thanks...

diverdiza

Bump.... Anyone????

Zichu

If you're body can't handle yogurt, don't eat it O.o

Just stick to a healthy diet of lean meats, veggies and complex carbs. Stay within your calorie goal at a healthy deficit and the weight will come off.


It's like why do people want to force themselves to eat food that they don't like? I know I wouldn't because it would just cause me to give up this lifestyle completely if I am not enjoying it.

yarwell

I'm not aware of any magical benefit of yoghurt. I've seen the odd study pointing to benefits of calcium in the diet, and some of them claimed that dairy calcium was in some way more effective.

I do eat yoghurt regularly, for its protein and fat mainly and the calcium is handy. But I don't eat it to lose weight.

The greek style ones have less lactose and carbs as they are strained, but if it's upsetting your internal ecosystem then don't eat it !

diverdiza

Thanks for the comments. I don't have access to the original article at this time so I can't be more precise about the claims that were made as a result of the study. Ironically I have come to quite enjoy my morning cereal so if as suggested I do just give up on the yogurt I will have to find another mix to use there.
Thanks again.

lyttlewon

Most of the information I have read about yogurt and health benefits is because of the probiotics. Do you have access to water kefir? This would probably be one of the best sources. You can make your own kefir, there are instructions all over the net if you Google it. Kombucha is another good source of bacteria. You can often get Kombucha cultures that have been grown for a long time by other people so you don't have to do it yourself. Commercialized Kombucha is not really the same as the home grown stuff although I hear that a lot of people use it successfully. I think your source needs to be carefully chosen if you are going to buy it premade vs. culturing it yourself.

summer8it

I find it hard enough to locate non-dairy yogurt here in the US, with access to three different grocery chains and a natural food store. Whenever I can find it, I buy Silk brand soy yogurt, which is absolutely delicious, especially with a drizzle of raw local honey on it!

I don't take probiotics now, but I used to as part of a heal-my-gut regimen. I'm severely lactose intolerant, and had been having horrible digestive problems for years. When I finally figured out my problem, I cut out dairy completely and did a few months of a naturopathic protocol that involved taking digestive enzyme pills before each meal, probiotic supplements daily, and increased fiber and raw fruits and veggies. As I got healthier, I was able to drop the probiotics and then the enzyme pills, although I certainly still strive to get plenty of fiber and vegetables! (For the record, I did this six years ago, and have enjoyed great digestive health since then.)

The advice I got was to look for probiotic pills that are sold refrigerated. They're live bacteria, so the refrigeration helps keep them alive and active.

cersela

There is a supplement form of probiotics, 'acidophilus pearls' but they are cultured in milk so they may or may not upset your stomach. The other benefit of yogurt (especially greek styled strained) is it's full of protein, but it's easy enough to get that from other sources.

diverdiza

lyttlewon - I will investigate water kefir and kombucha - thanks.
summerfit - I don't remember seeing refrigerated probiotics but I will enquire about those too.
cersela - if anything I often overdo the protein so that's one yogurt benefit I CAN afford to lose! :-)
Thanks all.

livetothebeatYOLO

Kombucha!!! I LOVE the stuff! It's full of probiotics, more than yogurt, but no dairy obv. It's actually a fermented tea.
For first timers, try Synergy Mango or Passionfruit. My fav is the Synergy Trilogy, but it might take a bit to work up to that. It's fizzy like soda, so it curbs that too.

Apple Cider Vinegar is also very good for digestion, try cooking with it more in a raw, unfiltered form. Or add a TBS to a juice you already drink.

JLD81

I'm allergic to milk (among many other foods) so I take an otc probiotic and calcium chews. I can't say that I think it helps with weight management but can say it helps with digestion and the way i feel

lyttlewon

lyttlewon - I will investigate water kefir and kombucha - thanks.
summerfit - I don't remember seeing refrigerated probiotics but I will enquire about those too.
cersela - if anything I often overdo the protein so that's one yogurt benefit I CAN afford to lose! :-)
Thanks all.

If you want to do liquid probiotics you will need to get the vegan kind. That is the only kind that isn't cultured in milk.