This month we have talked about milk and cheese, so naturally the next thing to talk about is yogurt!
Yogurt is a creamy, nutrient-packed ingredient that people love. There’s a good chance that you have tried yogurt before, but did you know how healthy it is and how many dozens of different ways you can use it?
In my home, we like to always have yogurt on hand. After you learn about the benefits and uses, you might want to keep it on hand too!
Did you know?
Greek Yogurt is made by draining regular yogurt over a cheese cloth to get rid of a liquid called whey.
After a while, you are left with a thicker yogurt with less sugar and more protein than regular yogurt. This can make a healthy ingredient even healthier!
- Yogurt contains probiotics! Probiotics are healthy bacteria that keep our stomachs and intestines healthy. They can help digest foods, they help boost your immune system, they prevent infections in the body, and they help heal your gut when your stomach is hurting.
- Yogurt is a great source of calcium! Calcium keeps your bones strong, it helps your nerves send signals to each other, it helps your muscles flex, and much more!
- Yogurt has quite a few B vitamins helping your body create energy from the food you eat, they help your heart function properly, they help create blood cells, and they can help keep your immune system strong.
- Yogurt is full of protein (especially Greek Yogurt!) Protein is important when you are growing. Your bones, muscles, and many other cells all depend on you to eat enough protein to grow healthy and strong.
The USDA recommends getting 3 servings of dairy products a day to get adequate nutrition, so what are some ways to use yogurt to meet your 3 serving goal?
- Try chips and salsa mixed with plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream (You can use plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream in really any dish)
- Add to smoothies
- Put your favorite flavored yogurt in popsicle trays and freeze for a sweet summer treat
- Make parfaits
- Add to oatmeal
- Have a side of plain Greek yogurt with curry dishes to compliment the meal
- Add to oats, seeds, nuts, coconut, or any other topping for a quick breakfast in the morning
- Top fruit or desserts with yogurt instead of whipped cream
- Put drops of flavored yogurt on parchment paper and freeze for yogurt drop snacks
- Add plain yogurt to your spaghetti sauce for a creamy nutritious boost
- Make sweet fruit dips
- Make savory veggie dips
- Mix in with scrambled eggs
- Marinate chicken for an Indian cuisine
- Low fat flavored yogurt
- To make your own: Thaw out your favorite frozen fruit, puree and mix in with plain yogurt.
- Low fat plain yogurt
- Flavored Greek Yogurt
- Plain Greek Yogurt
- Low Fat Plain Greek Yogurt
- Kefir
- Kefir is technically not yogurt, but it is a product very similar to a yogurt drink, but healthier. Kefir is another great probiotic that can keep your gut healthy and feel better.
Happy Creating!