I’m a die-hard for Greek yogurt. It’s one of those rare foods that feels like a treat, while also providing a ton of nutritional value. I often wonder if I’m missing out on any nutrients by sticking with Greek over regular, so I ran that question by registered dietitian at Healthline’s sister brand Wellos, Kelly Struck. Her answer and more, below. •Food to enjoy: 7 high protein leftover turkey recipes •News to know: Blood vessels in eyes may help predict heart disease risk •Tips to live well: 4 benefits of lavender tea and extractsEat up,
Ginger Wojcik
Newsletter Editor, Healthline
Business Info
HealthLine
What’s the difference, nutritionally, between Greek yogurt and regular yogurt?A:Both regular and Greek yogurt are fermented dairy products rich in probiotics that can be nutrient-dense additions to meals and snacks. If you’re looking to boost protein in your meals and snacks, Greek yogurt takes the cake. However, if you prefer a higher calcium, lower calorie option, regular yogurt may be the best fit for you.
Greek yogurt has a higher protein content compared to regular yogurt. For example, a 200-gram (g) serving of Greek yogurt contains approximately 19.9 g of protein, while the same serving of regular yogurt has about 10.5 g.
Due to straining the whey and other liquids out, Greek yogurt also has less carbohydrates and sugar — usually about half that of regular yogurt. This also means regular yogurt contains more lactose, a natural sugar found in many dairy products.
Although it’s lower in protein, regular yogurt provides more calcium than Greek yogurt: a 200-g serving of regular yogurt offers 36% of the daily value for calcium, compared to 23% in Greek yogurt (percentages based on the recommendation for a 2,000-calorie diet). Both types of yogurts contain magnesium, vitamin B12, and iodine. Lastly, Greek yogurt is slightly higher in calories than regular yogurt.
Choosing plain versions of either can help reduce added sugars in your diet. You can flavor them yourself using other nutrient-rich options like fruit, whole grain granola, or chia and flaxseed.