Greek Yogurt vs. Regular Yogurt… Which Is Healthier?

Regular yogurt or Greek yogurt? Which is healthier? It's a question everyone has probably pondered at least once.

Yogurt is a fermented food made by adding lactic acid bacteria or yeast to milk.

Greek yogurt is a type of yogurt traditionally made and enjoyed in the Mediterranean coastal regions of Greece. Its main difference from regular yogurt is the presence of whey. Greek yogurt is characterized by its thicker texture, as the whey is strained out.

While both Greek and regular yogurt can add health benefits to your diet, their nutritional profiles differ. Which one offers greater health benefits?

 

Greek Yogurt vs. Regular Yogurt… Which Is Healthier? © Provided by: Dong-A Ilbo

On the 21st (local time), USA Today asked three registered dietitians (those who have passed a national certification exam and are licensed by the state government) for their opinions and relayed them to readers.

All three nutrition experts agreed that Greek yogurt has more benefits than regular yogurt.

Paul Jeckel, a New York-based dietitian, says both types of yogurt are excellent sources of calcium, probiotics, vitamin D, and other essential vitamins, but when it comes to personal preference (like texture), Greek yogurt is the better choice.

“Greek yogurt has more protein, which helps you feel fuller faster and longer, and is lower in sodium.”

Greek yogurt is made denser through the filtration process, which means it has more protein and other nutrients than regular yogurt of the same volume.

 

Greek Yogurt vs. Regular Yogurt… Which Is Healthier? © Provided by: Dong-A Ilbo

Mackenzie Burgess, a registered dietitian based in Denver, Colorado, also said Greek yogurt is superior because of its protein content. She explained, "Consuming adequate protein throughout the day is important for muscle growth and recovery, hormonal function, and satiety."

Nashville, Tennessee-based nutritionist Kylie Bensley praises its low-lactose (but not zero-carb) and low-sugar content.

“People who are lactose intolerant (the inability to properly break down and absorb the sugar in milk in the small intestine) tend to digest Greek yogurt better,” she said. “This is because the whey is removed during processing and it contains probiotics that help with lactose digestion.”

However, he pointed out that “if you want to increase your calcium intake, regular yogurt is a better choice.”

 

Greek Yogurt vs. Regular Yogurt… Which Is Healthier? © Provided by: Dong-A Ilbo

“One of the surprising benefits of regular yogurt is that it contains much more calcium than Greek yogurt,” she said.

When choosing a yogurt, whether regular or Greek, nutrition experts advise choosing one that is low in sugar, artificial sweeteners, or unnecessary additives (plain or unflavored).

Additionally, adding nuts, unsweetened granola, and seeds like pumpkin seeds as toppings makes it easy to consume fiber, and if you really want to add sweetness, it is recommended to use natural sweeteners like honey or fruit.

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I really like that it has the advantage of being able to add toppings.

Plain yogurt; calcium

Greek Yogurt: Protein

You need to eat a variety of foods

I like it because it goes well with both nuts and fruits.