Yogurt
Yogurt is a very versatile food, it’s a great snack or breakfast option with fruit, granola or a drizzle of honey.
Yogurt ( also spelt yoghurt ) is a dairy product made by introducing a live culture to milk. It is typically made with cows milk but it can be made with any milk available. Natural yogurts are white and have a thickish consistency. Some brands add flavourings or sweeteners like sugar.
Yogurt needs to be kept refrigerated in an airtight container. It will last for up to 4 days but it’s always best to check the expiry date. You can tell when yogurt has gone bad as it will become more acidic which you will be able to smell. If there is any mould throw it away immediately!
Yogurt is a very versatile food, it can be a snack, eaten for breakfast with fruit, granola or a drizzle of honey, used in sauces like Indian raita, marinades for meat, served on the side of deserts, the list goes on and on!
Types of Yogurt
- Greek Yogurt – is a super thick and heavy yogurt, made by straining regular yogurt and removing the whey. It’s great for smoothies or eating with some honey and fruit for breakfast.
- Icelandic Yogurt – is even thicker than Greek yogurt! It’s high in protein, and calcium and low in fat.
- Lactose-free Yogurt – Contains no dairy and is usually made with vegan-friendly alternatives like almond milk or coconut milk.
Yogurt Nutritional Information
Yogurt is packed full of health benefits vitamins and minerals like calcium and protein. Calcium helps children to build strong bones and teeth. yogurt also contains good amounts of vitamins B12, Phosphorus and Riboflavin.
Per 100ml of yogurt, there are about 61 calories and 121mg of calcium.
Yogurt in its purest form is completely gluten-free however certain additives like flavourings and sweeteners may contain gluten so it is always best to check the label!
Yogurt With Live Cultures
Yogurts with ‘live’ or ‘active’ cultures mean they still contain the healthy bacteria then caused the fermentation of the yogurt. These live cultures are also known as probiotics (also called lactobacillus). Probiotics are super good for your digestive system. They help the nerves in the digestive system control gut movements and digest food.
Probiotics also can help ease the side effect of certain antibiotics and other gastrointestinal illnesses like irritable bowel syndrome, Inflammatory bowel disease and Crohn’s disease.
Some research also suggests that good levels of probiotics can help skin conditions, like eczema and acne.
Recipe Suggestion: Goodmorning smoothie, Chocolate & berry mousse
