As a strong, young woman, I am determined to prevent potential osteoporosis by getting my daily dose of calcium. I am not a fan of milk, unless it's paired with a pile of Cocoa Puffs, so I have to find another way. Yogurt. Since I was little, I loved Go-Gurt, Danimals Drinkable Yogurt and Trix yogurt, but now that I am an adult, I can handle the real goods. Off to find the best yogurt.
Scanning through the yogurt shelves, there seem to be more varieties of yogurt every time I go. What is the difference between them and how do I know which is the best yogurt for me? Read on.
Traditional Yogurt
The plain, traditional yogurt that you see in stores (Yoplait, Dannon, Activia, etc) have a smoother, more liquid consistency than any of its strained relatives. Available in various flavors, traditional yogurt has been present in America for decades, and continues to be a healthy snack that all can enjoy. All variations of yogurt start with the same ingredients: milk and bacteria cultures.
Greek Yogurt
More and more Greek yogurts have been populating the shelves for the past couple years. Greek yogurt is given one more straining than the typical plain yogurt, giving it a thicker, creamier texture. This also means that Greek yogurt is more concentrated and has more protein than its traditional counterpart.
Icelandic Yogurt
Even the small country of Iceland has its own yogurt. Icelandic yogurt is even more strained than Greek yogurt, making it thicker and giving it even higher protein content per cup.
Australian Yogurt
Made with whole milk, Australian yogurt is does not taste like its multiple-time strained cousins. Instead, this yogurt is creamy and has the fresh milk taste and flavor. I love Aussie yogurt and recommend trying out the Noosa Yogurt in Raspberry Rhubarb.
Kefir Yogurt
The difference between conventional yogurt and kefir yogurt is that kefir yogurt contains more bacteria cultures and probiotics than its counterpart. In addition, the consistency of kefir yogurt is a liquid and it tastes more sour. There are flavored kefir yogurt drinks, but personally, I am not a fan.
Goat Milk Yogurt
Obviously, goat yogurt is made from goat's milk, versus the conventional cow's milk. This is actually a good substitution for those who are lactose intolerant, as there is less milk fat content in goat's milk. One potential downside is that goat's milk does have a strong flavoring, and may need some getting used to.
Soy/Almond/Cashew Yogurt
Yes, these yogurts exist. Soy, almond, and cashew yogurt are derived from soy milk, almond milk, and cashew milk, respectively. Each yogurt has their own respective tastes, so if you like the taste of any of the milks, you should try out that type of yogurt. Most of these yogurts come in various flavors. So, if you are lactose sensitive, these may be good alternatives to the traditional yogurts.
Frozen Yogurt
I count fro-yo as a type of yogurt. Of course, it is not the healthiest of the bunch, but it does contain less fat than ice cream, which is made from cream. Just FYI: I have tried placing a cup of plain yogurt in the freezer, and the results were not satisfactory, as the yogurt just becomes totally solid. But you can easily find frozen yogurt stores or tubs of fro-yo at any grocery store.
There are so many types of yogurts in grocery stores now, and choosing the best fit for you will take some time. Personally, my all-time favorite is Greek yogurt for its wide variety of flavors and texture, as it is not too thick and not too creamy. But for those days that I want something more flavorful, I will grab a tub of Noosa for that fresh, full milk fat taste. No matter what you prefer, yogurt is a great source of calcium and a healthy snack that all can enjoy.