Choosing the Best Yogurt
Yogurt has grown quite popular over the years. Health experts have
sworn by the numerous health benefits that a serving of this tasty dairy treat
comes with, from the “good bacteria” that aids digestion to the various
vitamins and minerals that keep diseases at bay. Yogurt has become the new best
friend of people who want to turn nasty flab into abs of steel. Snacking on
yogurt will satiate your hunger without the guilt. There’s just one problem
though: how to choose the best yogurt. When you go to the dairy section
of a supermarket, you’ll see rows and rows of yogurt. It now comes in so many
different varieties that choosing what to buy has become an overwhelming task.
So how do we separate the good from the bad? First step: Read The Label.
They’re there for a very good reason. And read them carefully. Then, check for
the following:
Live and Active Culture Seal
Yogurt’s superfood status can be attributed to the probiotics it
contains. Probiotics are the good bacteria present in the digestive tract that
promote good digestion and boost the immune system. Some companies heat-treat
yogurt after culturing to prolong its shelf-life and give it stability at room
temperature. However, the process kills the bacteria, both the good and the bad
ones. To enjoy all the health benefits that come with the healthy and friendly
bacteria, choose the yogurt that bears the Live & Active Culture
(LAC) seal, which ensures that it contains living and growing bacterial
cultures.
Simple and Natural
Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus turns milk into
yogurt through fermentation. A little sugar or some fruits can be added into
yogurt for flavor. However, if you see a long list of ingredients on the label,
with words such as “artificial” and other hard-to-pronounce ones in it, put
that yogurt back on the shelf. That’s where it belongs, not in your body.
Sugar
Bear in mind that yogurt already has a fair amount of sugar in it in the
form of lactose. A little added sugar to improve its flavor is not that bad,
but plain yogurt is still the best choice. Don’t get fooled by the “diet”,
“low-sugar”, “sugar-free”, and “no sugar added” labels, because most of them,
if not all, are packed with artificial sweeteners. Avoid yogurts that list
sugar as their first or second ingredient. They probably contain as much sugar
as donuts have! If you want to add flavor to your plain yogurt, add fresh
fruits such as blueberries instead. It’s healthier and yummier that way.
Fat
Yogurts vary according to their fat contents. One made from whole milk
naturally has higher fat content than those made with low-fat and skim milk.
Choose the right kind of yogurt for you based on your diet. If you normally eat
a high-fat, high-calorie diet, low-fat or fat-free yogurt is the best one for
you. However, “low-fat” “nonfat” is not necessarily mean low calorie. Most of
them contain more sweeteners than the full-fat ones to improve the flavor, so
make sure that you read the label.
Calcium and Vitamin
Aside from the good bacteria, the other two important nutrients found in
yogurt are calcium and vitamin D which are needed by your body to have healthy
bones. Yogurt as a dairy product already contains calcium. But unlike other
dairy products, yogurt has vitamin D. It’s best to check the label on the
amount of calcium and vitamin D the yogurt contains to make sure you have the
right amount.
Yogurt is a healthier option for a snack as against a can of soda. But
this is only true if the yogurt you choose has the right amount of sugar and
not close to the sugar content of a can of soda.
This is precisely why it’s important to Read The Label and check
the nutrition facts and ingredients of the yogurt you are buying.
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