1. Tru Yogurt as a Healthy Substitute
Yogurt is a healthier option than foods like sour cream, mayonnaise, ice cream and pudding. You cut calories and fat dramatically if you use yogurt as a substitute for these fattier options. Try ditching the ice cream milkshakes and switching to fruit and yogurt smoothies. Replace the mayonnaise in potato salad recipes with plain yogurt. Mixing yogurt into homemade dips rather than sour cream adds a tangy flavor.
2. It's Good for Your Gut
Look for yogurt that contains live, active cultures. It will say so somewhere on the packaging. These active cultures are good for your digestive system because they help to maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in your intestines. Yogurt is also easier to digest than milk or other dairy products, since the cultures create lactase, which is what people who are lactose intolerant need in order to digest dairy.
3. Mix It Up
While yogurt is a tasty treat on its own, you can dress it up to make it even more appealing. Add some crunch to your yogurt by topping it with some low-fat granola or mixing some crunchy whole grain cereal into it. Top fresh or frozen fruit with plain yogurt and drizzle it with honey to sweeten the treat. Keep your yogurt healthy by making sure that what you're mixing into it is worth eating as well.
4. Bolster Your Nutrients
Yogurt is chock full of nutrients that you need like calcium, potassium, B vitamins and protein. You can get nearly half of your recommended daily allowance of calcium in a cup of yogurt. Look for yogurt that has somewhere between 30 and 40 percent of the RDA of calcium to get even more calcium than you would in a glass of milk. Yogurt is also a great, portable source of protein. Grab a yogurt on your way to the gym or when you don't have time for a sit down meal. Buy yogurt that contains at least 8g of protein to ensure that you're getting the most bang for your buck.
5. Not All Yogurt is Created Equal
Pay attention to what you're eating, even if it appears to be healthy. A cup of fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt has up to 6 tbsps. of added sugar in it! Also, beware of yogurt that has been heat treated. This yogurt is pasteurized after it's processed, removing most of the nutrition value and active cultures. Your best bet is to stick to an organic plain yogurt. Plain yogurt typically contains more calcium and protein while being lower in calories, and has no added sugar.
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