Heathly food budget question about greek yogurt?

[WendyZ]

I've been reading here and on the internet that you should switch for Greek yogurt if you looking for a healthier version of yogurt. The nutrition class I've signed up for recommends it as well (unfortunately I can't get into the class until the middle of June). I looked at it this week and I'm very confused. It didn't have any fat, but almost 20 grams of sugar. My Dannon light and fit only has around 12 grams of sugar and 2.3 grams of fat.
So how is the Greek better if it has more sugar? I'm sure there is a logical reason but I haven't found anything searching on the internet. I thought I would ask those of you who have switch to a healthier lifestyle.

Also, I've noticed many organic things are higher in fat/sugar. How do you deal with that if you need a low fat, low sugar/sodium diet?

Thanks....

 

[meriface11]

plain, non-fat greek yogurt should have about 7-9 grams of carbs/sugar and more than double in protein than regular non-fat yogurt.

http://www.thedailyplate.com/nutrition-calories/food/fage/nonfat-yogurt-2

http://www.chobani.com/products/c/nonfat

maybe you were looking at a fruit flavored greek yogurt that had 20 grams?
i also find that greek yogurt is more filling and satisfying than regular yogurt due to the creamy texture.

 

[WendyZ]

Thank you for the nutrition info...I was looking for that. Apparently I can't search very well tonight. I was fruit flavored...strawberry I believe. I was comparing them both strawberry to strawberry.
So I'm wondering in order to remove some of the sugar...is that why they add aspartame? Hmmmm???

 

[amamax2]

I get plain, non-fat Greek Yogurt from Trader Joe's. It is pretty tart, so I "doctor" it with some vanilla extract and a squirt of honey, although as I am getting more used to the tartness I am using less and less honey. I started doing this when I noticed, as you did, that the vanilla flavored I was eating had lots of sugar and carbs.

I've also added fresh fruit or granola to it. I'm going to try adding lemon or orange extract, too.

As pp said, it is much thicker and creamier, so it really fills you up, whereas I used to eat Yoplait and I would be hungry again fairly quickly. And yes, the other brands add aspartame, which I won't eat, so they can add less sugar.

 

[SSRJen]

My favorite brand is Fage. I have been able to find larger tubs of it at Costco. I use honey in it as well, and love adding granola and fiber one cereal.

 

[phamy76]

our grocery store had it on sale and i had a coupon and got 2 containers.
no one in the house liked it. very tart and didn't like the consistency.

 

[wlwilliams9]

Hi! I don't have anymore info on the yogurt, but I wanted to say that I am also Wendy from Hockeytown!! Go Wings!

 

[sillyjodes]

You can get the greek yogurt consistency by straining regular plain yogurt. I do it in a mesh sieve lined with a coffee filter overnight. The plain yogurt is much cheaper than the greek. I add about 1tsp of jam (strawberry or fig!) to 1 cup of greek style yogurt and love it.

 

[Evi]

Make your own yogurt and strain it. You can add powdered goats milk to your starter and actually use greek yogurt as your starter and then put it through a yogurt strainer. More time consuming but more cost effective.

 

[mhsjax]

I have heard that it is better and I loved yogurt so I tried it, OMG I had to spit it out it was disgusting. Maybe I should try another brand. This was fruit flavored but it was the nastiest stuff I have ever put in my mouth. The texture was horrible and only got worse after time.

 

[WendyZ]

Hi! I don't have anymore info on the yogurt, but I wanted to say that I am also Wendy from Hockeytown!! Go Wings!

Yea!!!! We won last night too!! I only made it threw the second period. I hate those late games. Now if we can just do it again on Sunday!

I don't think I can do the plain yogurt, but I see the vanilla has a lot less sugar than the strawberry. I'll give that a try...hopefully I'll like it! Thanks! I will try the plain in my honey mustard dressing though...

 

[AndreaDM]

I have heard that it is better and I loved yogurt so I tried it, OMG I had to spit it out it was disgusting. Maybe I should try another brand. This was fruit flavored but it was the nastiest stuff I have ever put in my mouth. The texture was horrible and only got worse after time.

I agree! I had bought a bunch and was unable to finish eating even one! I didn't want to waste them since they were so pricey, so I added them to fruit smoothies and you couldn't tell a difference.

 

[meriface11]

it took me a while to get used to it because it basically tastes like eating straight plain sour cream. i often give it a little squirt of sugar free caramel syrup, but i've been eating it a while now, so i am used to the taste. trader joe's house brand is much cheaper than buying it in the grocery store, and i will also get a big tub of chobani brand when i go to BJs.

 

[CrAzY4DL]

I loooooooooooooooove the honey flavored (I think the brand is Athos). Mmmmm so delicious!!! I like the idea of adding jam to regular tho!!

 

[drinkme]

I have heard that it is better and I loved yogurt so I tried it, OMG I had to spit it out it was disgusting. Maybe I should try another brand. This was fruit flavored but it was the nastiest stuff I have ever put in my mouth. The texture was horrible and only got worse after time.

I didn't like it either. I had some with a mixture of fresh fruits. I thought it would taste like regular plain yogurt with fresh mixed fruit. YUCK!

 

[eksb327]

Greek yogurt does take some getting used to, but I think the benefits are great. It has lots of protein (Fage has 15 grams), so you feel full longer. Try mixing it with some honey and fresh fruit or a bit of granola.

 

[mumto2]

It depends on what you are used to, I suppose. I buy organic dairy as much as possible. I eat yogurt and feed it to my kids (DH won't touch it, or almost anything else healthy) for the nutrition, including the active yogurt cultures. I refuse to buy things labelled yogurt that contain almost no cultures, and are loaded up with sugar and all kinds of artificial junk (anyone read the ingredient list on the Trix yogurt???). IMHO, these yogurts offer little more than empty calories.

Greek yogurt is different, but can be very delicious. If you are used to yogurt that is artificially sweetened, it will take more getting used to, as the true yogurt flavor is stronger in the greek style. I love the OIKOS (Stoneyfield) organic fat free greek yogurt. I mix it with muesli and frozen fruit (yesterday, DD and I used frozen cherries and muesli for a delicious, healthy lunch).

To the OP, if you are trying to control sugar, think about buying foods such as yogurt without any added sugar/sweeteners, then adding your own at home. I have started doing this with more and more things, and it is surprising what a difference it can make. I use Stevia Raw and fruit as natural sweeteners.

 

[sorul82?]

None of the Greek yogurts that I have tried have fiber.

 

[lemondog]

My favorite brand is Fage. I have been able to find larger tubs of it at Costco. I use honey in it as well, and love adding granola and fiber one cereal.

Fage is definitely the best! I have switched to eating only this brand. Even the fruit ones have the fruit separated in a small compartment next to the plain yogurt, so you can control how sweet it is/how much fruit is added. It is also not tart which I really like, because I can't stand tart yogurt.

 

[disney1990]

I get plain, non-fat Greek Yogurt from Trader Joe's. It is pretty tart, so I "doctor" it with some vanilla extract and a squirt of honey, although as I am getting more used to the tartness I am using less and less honey. I started doing this when I noticed, as you did, that the vanilla flavored I was eating had lots of sugar and carbs.

I've also added fresh fruit or granola to it. I'm going to try adding lemon or orange extract, too.

As pp said, it is much thicker and creamier, so it really fills you up, whereas I used to eat Yoplait and I would be hungry again fairly quickly. And yes, the other brands add aspartame, which I won't eat, so they can add less sugar.

This is what I use also. I usually put it over no sugar added peaches or other fruits.