Yogurt is a tasty snack and a healthier alternative to other dairy treats. Making your own yogurt isn't difficult, and you can control exactly what goes into it as well as the amount of beneficial bacteria it contains. You need only a few ingredients: milk, powdered milk for thickening and a yogurt starter. If you can't find starter ingredients in your area, simply substitute a bit of plain, commercial yogurt that contains live cultures.
Quality Control
Whenever you make your own food instead of buying it prepared, you have more control over exactly what goes into that food. Conventional yogurts are often packed with preservatives, gelatin, and artificial colors and flavorings. Making your own yogurt eliminates the concerns associated with these added ingredients.
Lower Sugar
Commercial yogurt tends to contain added sugar or artificial sweetener. You can eat homemade yogurt plain if you like the taste, or even make it into a savory dip or topping--it can be used in recipes that call for sour cream. If you prefer it sweet, you can control the sugar levels by adding a small amount of honey, fruit juice or other natural sweetener.
Bacteria
Yogurt contains beneficial bacteria that can help aid digestion and get rid of bloating. These bacteria include Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus, which help the body digest the lactose found in dairy products. Most commercial yogurts are pasteurized, which can kill some of the active bacteria. Eating homemade yogurt can also be beneficial to people taking antibiotics; the bacteria in the yogurt can replenish any "good" bacteria the antibiotic may have killed along with the "bad" bacteria.
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