To Go Greek or Not to Go Greek?

Move over regular yogurt, greek is in and it is taking over grocery stores and refrigerator shelves everywhere. Greek yogurt has a tangier, less sweeter, and a creamier texture than regular yogurt. My favorite brand of greek yogurt is Chobani which has tons of flavors to choose from (I recommend the pineapple and pomagrante. Although, I still have new flavors in my fridge to try) So how does it compare to its rival, regular yogurt?


Both low-fat and non-fat greek and regular yogurt can be part of a healthy diet. They contain calcium and healthy bacteria that are good for your gut. Greek yogurt has a leg up though, it contains about the same amount of calories, doubles in protein, and the amount of sugar is cut in half. More benifits of greek yogurt:






Calcium: Contains 20% of  recommended daily amount. This is less than regular yogurt due to the difference in processing. 


Sodium: Contains 50 mg of sodium--half the amount of regular yogurt. 


Fat: Here's where it gets tricky. Consuming the full fat versions of yogurt can have a negative effect. Some yogurts can have 16 grams of fat (80% of recommended daily amount!). Make sure to purchase the low-fat or non-fat versions which still pack in great flavor and key nutrients. 


Carbohydrates: Contains half the amount as regular yogurt (great choice for those going low-carb). Just remember: if the yogurt is sweetened with sugar or sweeteners it will be higher in carbs.


Protein: High in protein which helps you stay fuller longer. A single serving of greek yogurt can have as much protein as a 2-3oz piece of meat (13-17grams). A serving of regular yogurt only contains about 9 grams of protein. 


So, we have yet another battle to hash out. Greek vs. Regular:

Greek (5.3 ounces, nonfat, plain)

• Calories: 80
• Total fat: 0 grams
• Cholesterol: 10 milligrams
• Sodium: 50 milligrams
• Sugar: 6 grams
• Protein: 15 grams
• Calcium: 15 percent on a 2,000 calorie diet

Regular (6 ounces, nonfat, plain)

• Calories: 80
• Total fat: 0 grams
• Cholesterol 5 milligrams
• Sodium: 120 milligrams
• Sugar: 12 grams
• Protein: 9 grams
• Calcium: 30 percent on a 2,000 calorie diet.

To answer the question to go greek or not to go greek? I say, GO GREEK! Although regular yogurt is lower in cholesterol and higher in calcium, the other nutrient amounts in greek outweigh those. 

Ways to use greek yogurt

• Use plain greek yogurt instead of sour cream (trust me on this one! it's still just as tangy as sour cream, you won't even miss it)
• Mix with herbs to create a dip for vegetables
• Pair with granola and fruit to make a parfait
• Use in place of mayo for things like potato salad, egg salad, and coleslaw