Picture this: you’re standing in the grocery aisle, you’re looking at the 50 yoghurt tubs before you. You’re not a fan of vanilla, and coconut yoghurt is just too exxy, so you’re pining for a basic plain flavour. You’re holding a tub of Greek yoghurt in one hand and plain ‘normal’ yoghurt in the other. Brain buzzing, thoughts whirling, what the hell is the difference?
Well, friends, we’ve done you and every struggling millennial stuck in the yoghurt aisle a favour, and found the answer.
Business Insider asked a bunch of nutritionists to explain the differences between Greek and non-Greek yoghurt. While both use the same basic ingredients — milk and bacterial cultures — there are also some variations. You know, besides the fact that one originated in Greece and one did not.
One of the main differences between Greek and normal yoghurt is how many times it is strained.
According to Business Insider: “Regular yogurt is strained twice, leaving some liquid left in the product. Greek yogurt, she added, is strained three times, removing most of the liquid.”
This means that Greek yoghurt is more concentrated, with up to twice the amount of protein, helping you stay fuller for longer. When making Greek yoghurt, whey liquid (what’s remaining after milk has been curdled) is strained off of the solid yoghurt which is why Greek yoghurt is a lot thicker and tastes stronger and more sour than the plain stuff. Because of this straining, Greek yoghurt also has less carbs and sugar than regular yoghurt.
On the flip side, regular yoghurt also tends to have higher levels of calcium, minerals and probiotics. Again, this is because of the whey liquids that get strained out of Greek yoghurt.
Greek yoghurt also tends to contain more fat than regular, full-fat yoghurt. But low-fat Greek yoghurt is a thing, so that’s any easy enough thing to solve.
So what is the difference between Greek yoghurt and plain yoghurt? Not all that much – just some nutrients and a slight variation in flavour.
Is Greek yoghurt healthier? Not necessarily – they both have their merits. It’s the sugary, flavoured stuff you need to look out for.
Images: Pexels
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