GREEK YOGURT

Most people don’t start out loving this fantastically nutritious new trend.  I’ll admit that I hated it when I first tried it too.  But that might have been because I tried it plain.  I eat Greek yogurt nearly every day, and I still hate it if it’s plain!  

The key is to pair this protein packed dairy product with the right ingredients.  Sure, they have the individual containers with special flavors, fruit on the bottom and whatnot, but the best way to eat it is to create your own medley of flavor.  This saves you money, too, and who doesn’t like that?

Here is my favorite parfait creation:

• Start with plain Greek yogurt (don’t worry, I promise it WILL taste good in the end)
• Add grapes, berries, or other bite sized pieces of fruit
• Sprinkle with almonds/nuts, cocoa powder, granola, flaxseeds, or wheat berries 
• Top with honey or agave nectar to add a bit of sweetness!

Can you shout CREAMY GOODNESS!  Mmmm!  Seriously, though, it may not be orgasmic good, but it’s definitely worth a try. 

I’m telling you, this breakfast or post-workout snack will fill you up big time.  The best thing about Greek yogurt is that it has twice as much protein as regular yogurt. It’s strained for longer periods of time, giving it a fuller bodied mouth-feel.  Aka. Creaminess.  On the protein scale it falls right in between that piece of chicken (25 grams of protein) and a regular 6 ounce yogurt (7 grams protein) with a whopping 14 grams of protein.  Look at my pretty, made-up scale…

0g                                7g                                            14g                                            25g

l-------------------------l---------------------------------l---------------------------------l

Sour Patch Kids                 Regular Yogurt                  Yummy GREEK yogurt          Chicken

 

                So for those of you who are not huge fans of muscly meat, I would HIGHLY recommend Greek yogurt.  Most adults need between 60 and 75 grams of protein a day, so you’ll be getting almost a fourth of what you need in a half-cup serving. 

                Just give it a taste.  If you still don’t like it, then skip on eating it in parfait form.  Use, instead, in place of sour cream in homemade dips, etc.  You won’t be able to taste the difference, I swear.