Greek or Regular Yogurt?

Ok, all the hype about Greek Yogurt. I need to understand! What is the difference, more so, why Greek yogurt over reg. organic yogurt? I'm looking for the health benefits. THANKS FOR YOUR CLARIFICATION AND HELP IN ADVANCE! :wink:
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Replies

  • wpuymac
    wpuymac Posts: 3
    My wife and I started eating Greek yogurt because it was recommended. What I did was compare the labels and I found that Greek yogurt was much higher in protein per calorie, which I really need while trying to lose weight (fat) and exercise, without getting a lot of calories from carbs.

    And once I looked at that, I actually tried to figure out the value per dollar, and we've found that the amount of protein is worth the extra money for the Greek yogurt.

    Also, my wife likes a lot of the different flavors, but I just eat it plain and add fresh fruit or flax seeds (or ground flax seeds).
  • swisspea
    swisspea Posts: 327 Member
    Yes about the protein. Also, Greek yogurt has helpful bacteria, like L.casei and Acidophilus. These bacterias working together help cure/prevent certain infections.
  • more protein!!!
  • Great explaination! THANK YOU for your help! I appreciate your input!
  • fitphoenix
    fitphoenix Posts: 9,673 Member
    Ditto on the protein and the fact that there are only two ingredients in mine; I like to know what I'm eating. (As a vegetarian, it's also important to me that Greek yoghurt doesn't have gelatin in it.)
  • momof3boys090808
    momof3boys090808 Posts: 69 Member
    I wish I like Greek yogurt but can't bring myself to eat it again. Ha! I eat the fiber one yogurt.
  • janet0513
    janet0513 Posts: 564 Member
    Greek yogurt is thicker and tangier. It is strained to remove a lot of its whey, sugar and lactose. It generally has less sugar and more protein. I like both but have been sticking with regular yogurt because it is higher in calcium, which for me is harder to get in my diet than protein. Both yogurts have healthy bacteria.
  • elizabethyork13
    elizabethyork13 Posts: 2 Member
    I hate yogurt! But everyone I work with was really liking the dannon brand greetk yogurt so i tried it (the fat free) and added 1 cup of kashi go lean crunch for breakfast and it was sooo good. I think total its about 8 grams of fiber 24 grams of protein and 320 calories.
  • marie_2454
    marie_2454 Posts: 881 Member
    Greek yogurt almost always has more protein than regular yogurt and only a little bit more calories. I personally prefer Chobani and it has 14g protein in a serving and about 120-140 calories for the flavored kinds (the plain ones are a bit higher in protein and around 80 calories). Dannon and Yoplait are around 100 calories, but only have 3-4g protein. All of the flavored yogurts (both kinds) are pretty high in sugar.
  • johnwhitent
    johnwhitent Posts: 648 Member
    I'm doing the plain greek yogurt, which by itself is too plain, and adding a half serving of vanilla protein powder and some fresh blueberries. That keeps the carbs down and protein up. I'm not actually low carb I just prefer to get carbs elsewhere. The dannon oikos plain greek yogurt is only 80 cals. With protein powder and blueberries it's 180 cal total, 28 grams of protein, 15 grams of carbs, 1 gram of fat. Doctored up as I do it and it's yum and healthy!
  • amyy902
    amyy902 Posts: 290 Member
    greek tends to be better in the protein. im a normal yoghurt eater, im a big fan of weight watchers toffee yoghurts. they're nice. im fairly slim and healthy but i need to improve on the quality of things i put in my body so i might switch to this greek stuff :)
  • Fit_Canuck
    Fit_Canuck Posts: 788 Member
    I just love the protein and taste of Greek yogurt :)
  • Dilfster
    Dilfster Posts: 416 Member
    I wish I like Greek yogurt but can't bring myself to eat it again. Ha! I eat the fiber one yogurt.

    i hate straight up greek yogurt too...BUT there are frozen yogurt by Yasso I think it's called. it's TERRIFIC!
  • shanlynt
    shanlynt Posts: 718 Member
    My all time favorite is Oikos Vanilla greek yogurt. Soooo good.
  • As everyone has mentioned, the difference lies in the amount of protein, however taste plays a big part too! Greek yogurt is thicker. You really have to give it a chance. It depends on your taste buds as to which tastes better (plain, peach, strawberry, etc). I tried many favors before I found that one. I like Chobani (a bit expensive) and Yoplait w/granola (higher calories-200).

    Greek yogurt has fewer carbohydrates and half the sodium than regular yogurt. You can also swap out eggs and oil in baked goods for Greek yogurt.
  • Fit_Canuck
    Fit_Canuck Posts: 788 Member
    My all time favorite is Oikos Vanilla greek yogurt. Soooo good.

    I've seen the Oikos but haven't tried it yet, I keep going to the President's Choice offering, I should pick up some Oikos tomorrow.
  • Aureilie
    Aureilie Posts: 213 Member
    Greek! It has more protein and keeps me fuller for longer. It's also thicker and creamier. I love regular yogurt too, but I've been obsessed with the Fage lately. I've tried Oikos, Chobani and Fage. Fage is by far my favourite, it's much richer than the other two.
  • I put greek yogurt into my smoothies with a little bit of orange juice or coconut milk and frozen fruit.
    Quick and easy way to get it in and I can use the low cal plain one without having to battle the weird taste!
  • 1_Slick_Chick
    1_Slick_Chick Posts: 199 Member
    1/2 cup of Fage Plain Greek Yogurt (Costco) mixed with 1 TBSP of Apple Butter and Splenda to taste...Yummy!! and lower in calories than the flavored kinds. I actually mix this right into my Oatmeal :bigsmile: Super Yummy IMHO!!
  • TheNewLeslie
    TheNewLeslie Posts: 44 Member
    I've been using the Fage Total 0. It's fat free and pretty tasty - with only 2 ingredients - which rocks. I add a little jam or honey or sweetener for breakfast. Also, because it's so thick, you can use it in place of sour cream. It is pretty versitile stuff.

    And yeah - the high-protein-no-fat thing doesn't suck either.
  • small4me
    small4me Posts: 45 Member
    My all time favorite is Oikos Vanilla greek yogurt. Soooo good.

    I've seen the Oikos but haven't tried it yet, I keep going to the President's Choice offering, I should pick up some Oikos tomorrow.

    I have tried both and I LOVE the Oikos - the flavors are great and you don't know you are eating healthy. My hubby never ever ate yogurt and will eat 1/day of the Oikos. (Black Cherry is my fav)
  • jadedone
    jadedone Posts: 2,446 Member
    I usually get the 2% varieties of greek yogurt. For me the perfect combo is fresh summer fruit. If those aren't available, I mix in jam. :D

    Once I went to greek yogurt, it is impossible for me to eat normal yogurt. It is too watery and too sweet for my tastebuds now.

    When I first started eating it, I would add fruit + 2 teaspoons of sugar. Now I just eat it with fruit and yogurt.

    A great way to use it, is to make panna cotta. Yum, and way healthier. You can just mix lowfat milk and greek yogurt. I also like to mix it with marscapone for a topping for berries.

    Good luck!
  • Picola1984
    Picola1984 Posts: 1,133
    Its great for savory dishes too!
  • lgladybug
    lgladybug Posts: 68 Member
    definitely greek...I love it!!! I agree with everyone above. I use to eat regular yogurt and still sometimes do. I prefer the taste of greek and all it's feminie health benefits and the higher amounts of protein. However they both have benefits. Initially I didn't like the taste of greek because I prefer my yogurt room tempature but when I let my greek yogurt out for awhile it got all runny and funky tasting...def better cold.. IT's soooo delish.
  • Whether you like Greek or not, don't waste your food dollars and calories on buying yogurt with added sweeteners & fruit. You can control both the quality and quantity of your fruit and sugar intake by simply adding a little jam if you like sweet yogurt. I also really like adding applesauce, cinnamon, and a little agave syrup to plain yogurt.
  • littlelily613
    littlelily613 Posts: 769 Member
    I eat greek yogurt for the protein. It is so creamy, and delicious, and the one I buy has 0g of fat and is still thick and creamy. I do eat regular yogurt too though, particularly when I want to make berry and granola parfaits with it.
  • TheMaidOfAstolat
    TheMaidOfAstolat Posts: 3,222 Member
    If you go with Greek style...make sure there are only milk, cream, and bacteria. You can add fruits and sweetener later if you need it. There are some brands on the market that add gelatin, preservatives, and flavorings that are not natural. Just do some research and a taste test. I prefer Fage and Chobani...both plain. I add in honey or fresh fruit if I want it.
  • cloud2011
    cloud2011 Posts: 898 Member
    I like nonfat plain yogurt (Stonyfield - it's creamy) for my smoothies. If I'm going to have a snack of yogurt and fruit, I like Chobani Greek yogurt (2 percent), some with fruit or just plain and add fresh blueberries or something else.

    When I eat Greek yogurt, I find it very filling and like I'm eating a treat like ice cream. It's that good to me.
  • InvidiaXII
    InvidiaXII Posts: 315 Member
    I second the people who have mentioned this: Greek yogurt is surprisingly thick for being non-fat. I always found that non-fat regular yogurt was really liquidy. It's also got a nice amount of protein. Makes a great substitute for sour cream: I've used it on top of Mexican food and chili and couldn't tell the difference. When I'm just eating it by itself, I usually splurge for a fruit flavored one or mix in some honey-- like I said, it tastes just like sour cream and is very tangy plain.
  • aurlach
    aurlach Posts: 3
    I love that it offers more protien! I substitute greek yogurt on all of my dip receipes that call for mayo and/or sour cream. AWESOME!