Current:Home > FinanceGreek yogurt is now more popular in the U.S. than regular yogurt. Is that a good thing? -WealthGrow Network
Greek yogurt is now more popular in the U.S. than regular yogurt. Is that a good thing?
View
Date:2025-04-14 07:13:34
Few foods have exploded in growth and popularity as much as Greek yogurt. Though its roots date back to ancient Greece where it was named oxygala - the Greek word for "sour milk," Greek yogurt's distinct taste hasn't historically made it desirable to the masses.
Social media's emphasis on health foods and a general consumer shift towards organic foods over the past decade, however, have turned Greek yogurt into one of the most popular dairy products of our day - even more so than regular yogurt in some regions of the world.
According to Statista, for instance, total yogurt revenue in the United States in 2022 amounted to 7.2 billion dollars, and Greek yogurt accounted for more than half of it. The product's popularity is expected to grow further still, with some predicting that the global Greek yogurt market will reach nearly 13.5 billion by 2030.
What is Greek yogurt?
Like regular yogurt, Greek yogurt is made from cow's milk that's been cultured and fermented. But unlike regular yogurt, Greek yogurt has a lot of one of its main proteins, called whey, drained out or strained. It's other main protein, called casein, remains.
Because the removed whey is liquidy in nature, Greek yogurt is denser than regular yogurt and thick enough you can almost keep a spoon upright in it. Kristina Cooke, a registered dietitian with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, says that Greek yogurt also has a heavy concentration of lactic acid, which is produced when the natural sugar found in milk (lactose) is fermented with bacteria. "It's the lactic acid content that gives Greek yogurt that characteristic tart or sour taste," she explains.
Is Greek yogurt healthy?
Greek yogurt is considered healthy for many reasons, including being a good source of micronutrients like vitamins A and B12 and minerals like calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and iodine. "These are all nutrients many people lack in their diets," says Shelley Rael, a registered dietitian and nutritionist based in Albuquerque New Mexico.
She adds that Greek yogurt also has live active cultures, "making it a great probiotic food and good for your gut health."
Is Greek yogurt better for you than regular yogurt?
Perhaps the top reason Greek yogurt is considered healthy, however, is that its high concentrations of casein, "tend to make it high in total protein and lower in carbohydrates than other types of yogurt," says Cooke. Indeed, 3/4 a cup of a leading brand of Greek yogurt contains 14 grams of protein while 2/3 a cup of a leading brand of regular yogurt contains only 5 grams of protein.
Not only does Greek yogurt have at least twice the protein as regular yogurt, notes Lisa Young, PhD, RDN, an adjunct professor of nutrition at New York University and author of "Finally Full, Finally Slim," it also has less sugar and less sodium. At the same time, because it lacks whey, "Greek yogurt tends to contain less calcium than regular yogurt," she says.
What is the best protein powder?Here's what a dietitian says about the 'healthiest' kind.
Another benefit Greek yogurt has is being preferred among "people with lactose intolerance because the good bacteria in the yogurt fermentation process often takes care of that lactose for us," says Rael. She also points out that its unique flavor makes Greek yogurt a suitable substitute for sour cream in recipes and dips, "which you could not do with regular yogurt."
But Greek yogurt isn't for everyone. Though rare, live bacteria in Greek yogurt and yogurt alike can cause people with weakened immune systems to be sick. People with milk allergies should also avoid Greek yogurt. And flavored Greek yogurt can have higher amounts of added sugars than some may want to consume. Because of this, "reading the nutrition label of all flavored varieties of Greek yogurt is important," advises Young.
Despite these few limitations, Rael says, "Greek yogurt is a great addition to most people's daily diet."
veryGood! (3)
Related
- Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
- What is world's biggest cat? Get to know the largest cat breed
- Krispy Kreme brings back pumpkin spice glazed doughnut, offers $2 dozens this weekend
- Florida sheriff shames 2 more kids after school threats. Is it a good idea?
- 'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
- Body language experts assess Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul face-off, cite signs of intimidation
- Trump Media plummets to new low on the first trading day the former president can sell his shares
- Chester Bennington's mom 'repelled' by Linkin Park performing with new singer
- Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
- California governor signs package of bills giving state more power to enforce housing laws
Ranking
- Sonya Massey's father decries possible release of former deputy charged with her death
- Sebastian Stan Seemingly Reveals Gossip Girl Costar Leighton Meester Was His First Love
- Highway crash injures 8 Southern California firefighters
- JoJo was a teen sensation. At 33, she’s found her voice again
- NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
- Sarah Michelle Gellar Shares Rare Video of Her and Freddie Prinze Jr.'s Daughter Charlotte
- GM recalling more than 449,000 SUVs, pickups due to issue with low brake fluid warning light
- Republicans are trying a new approach to abortion in the race for Congress
Recommendation
The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
Nike names Elliott Hill as CEO, replacing John Donahoe
Strong storm flips over RVs in Oklahoma and leaves 1 person dead
Eva Mendes Admits She Felt Lost After Having Kids With Ryan Gosling
Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
Highway crash injures 8 Southern California firefighters
Playoff baseball in Cleveland: Guardians clinch playoff spot in 2024 postseason
Takeaways from AP report on risks of rising heat for high school football players