Health enthusiasts have been all over Greek yogurt. Not only are they great for snacks or as part of a meal, but they also have high protein and probiotics. This makes it one of the best food options for muscle growth and recovery as well as overall gut health. With its creamy texture, it can also be a healthier substitute for ice cream.
Most of all, it has a distinct tart taste that makes people go back for another spoonful. Other than these aforementioned facts, what makes Greek yogurt special? In this article, we will be sharing a buying guide, fact-checked by registered nutritionist-dietitian Samantha Morales, containing some tips on how to choose a Greek yogurt along with 10 of the best products that you can find online.
Samantha began her career in clinical nutrition and weight management at a tertiary hospital in Manila, Philippines. Her practice allowed her to give nutrition counseling and plan modified diets for patients with medical conditions. Presently, she does private practice to focus on true holistic wellness - an approach that believes in aligning one's mind, body, and spiritual well-being.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
The products and services listed are ranked independently by the editorial team based on the points mentioned in our thoroughly researched buying guide (as of 01-16-2023).
Table of Contents
Here are some key points to consider:
When you run through the shelves of the grocery or browse products in online shops, you will see or might have seen Greek and Greek-style yogurt. Though both have a similar creamy texture with a tart taste, you might be wondering what their exact differences are.
Greek yogurt has a creamy consistency because it has undergone a series of straining processes. Real Greek yogurt contains no preservatives and additives, so it is the best choice healthwise, though it should be properly stored inside the refrigerator or freezer for a longer shelf life from 1 week up to 2 months.
Greek yogurt is a bit pricey, so people turn to cheaper alternatives like Greek-style yogurt. It has a similar texture to the former, but it has not been strained. Instead, the creamy consistency is achieved by adding artificial thickeners like gelatin and gum. These also have preservatives and additives that contribute to their longer shelf life.
Greek yogurts come in plain, unsweetened, and sweetened variants. There are also available options for flavored ones to tickle your taste buds and add a depth of taste. When choosing which one to get, you should always keep in mind how you will use or consume them.
Greek yogurt without flavoring can be paired with fresh fruits, oats, and granola for a healthy snack, dessert, or as a meal. If you want to enjoy it on its own, you may go for a lightly sweetened variant or add any of your preferred sweeteners to curb the acidity.
Plain Greek yogurt can also be used in cooking to add creaminess into savory dishes like soups, dips, salad dressings, and more as a substitute for milk. In addition, it can be used for baking to achieve moist pastries, as well as a meat tenderizer in marinades.
Like regular yogurt, Greek yogurt also comes in different flavors, usually of fruit, since they are the most common food to pair them with. This makes it good to enjoy on its own, especially if you want the taste of fruits but don’t have any fresh ones that are readily available.
A flavored Greek yogurt is best for people who find plain variants to be too sour or acidic since the additional flavor helps mask the sourness. It can also be enjoyed by kids who love sweet ice cream. Do note that with the added flavor comes a higher sugar content.
Even if Greek yogurt is considered a healthy food, it is still important to read the label for the nutrition facts. This way, you'll know the amount of protein, sugar, and saturated fat each product has. You will be able to get the best one that matches your dietary needs.
The amount of protein an adult must consume in a day depends on their weight and activity. According to the Dietary Reference Intake, one should have 0.36 grams of protein per pound or 0.8 grams per kg of body weight. A sedentary adult should have 46 grams for women and 56 grams per day for men.
If you work out and lift weights regularly to gain muscle, you will need 0.7–1 gram per pound or 1.6–2.2 grams per kg. Aside from these, protein also boosts metabolism, which helps burn calories at a faster rate even when resting. You can get protein from meat, eggs, fish, legumes, and dairy products like Greek yogurt.
Sugar that is naturally present in fresh produce is not bad, while added sugars must be kept at a minimum since they have no nutritional value. According to the American Heart Association, an average woman should have at most 6 teaspoons or 25 grams of added sugar per day, while for male adults, they should have at most 9 teaspoons or 37.5 grams.
Checking the sugar content of the food you eat is a good practice. Greek yogurts have unsweetened variants if you do not want added sugar, while flavored and sweetened options have more sugar. Having sweet food on a regular basis is fine as long as you do not exceed the maximum amount.
A healthy balance of low fat and full cream is recommended to incorporate in your daily meals, rather than sticking to just one variant in zero, low, or full cream. For example, if you are eating mostly full-cream dairy products, it is suggested to get low or non-fat Greek yogurts.
On the other hand, if you are currently eating low-fat food, you may go for a full cream variant. One should have 1 to 3 servings of dairy per day, with just 2 to 3 grams of saturated fat for each time. In a day, you can have up to 20 grams of saturated fat.
One healthy serving of Greek yogurt amounts to 110 grams or 5 to 6 tablespoons. If you are keen on following the recommended serving, you may get a bigger size - around 500 grams of Greek yogurt, because it is easier to manage your consumption. Thus, you will not be forced to eat the whole single cup.
Single cups are compact yet may contain a bit more than the recommended serving, so take of this, especially if you are counting your calorie intake. Also, buying single cups is preferable for people who want more variety and different flavors.
If single cups are the only ones available, it's best to buy a set of your favorite flavor. However, do not buy too much and always read the label to check the best before or expiration dates.
From ₱235.62
This product is sourced from the milk of grass-fed carabaos in Nueva Ecija. Compared to cow's milk, carabao's milk has lower cholesterol with a higher amount of calcium and protein. It also has a creamier texture. If you eat yogurt regularly, this yogurt is a great choice since there are already 3 servings included per cup.
It may be labeled as Greek-style because it has added water and skimmed milk, but it does not have any preservatives. You'll be able to appreciate its difference from cow's milk, even more, when you eat it on its own. They have satisfied their customers with their deliciousness, leaving them a consistent 5-star rating!
From ₱230
If you are looking for more affordable options for Greek-style yogurt, you have to try this plain unsweetened variant from Baba's. They are freshly made every day with full cream, and 100% cow's milk. They have 1L or 1 Kilo variations, perfect for people who regularly eat yogurt.
Made in Turkish style, they are proud to say that their product is the best in the market. You can easily change it up to a sweet or savory flavor, depending on your preference. This is perfectly tangy and has a velvety texture. Reviewers have repeatedly ordered from this brand!
From ₱175
Rizal Dairy Farms was established in 1992 as a small-scale dairy production company. Ever since then, they have followed the best standards in accordance with the Swiss process to produce high-quality dairy products, including their own Greek yogurt. There are no preservatives and added sugar, only pure creamy goodness.
From ₱449.75
Bulla is one of the biggest family-run businesses in the dairy industry in Australia. They have been running since 1910, taking pride in its long and successful history. They are proud to share their premium quality products. This creamy greek-style yogurt is made from fresh cream and milk.
If you enjoy your yogurt without any fuss, this product will be your next favorite. It is all-natural without any artificial colors or flavors. It also contains no added preservatives and is gluten-free. Reviews have said that the consistency and taste of this are amazing for yogurt bowls!
From ₱130
This low-fat and unsweetened Greek yogurt from Pinkie's Farm is best for people who want to indulge in creamy and tangy yogurt with zero guilt. Each one is made with just pasteurized milk and yogurt culture and nothing else. It is versatile and flexible in terms of food to pairing, whether it may be fruits or sweeteners.
This can also be used for baking and cooking. It is relatively cheap for Greek yogurt, so this is one of the most budget-friendly options. It has a good amount of protein at 4.6 grams. The 200-gram bottle is more than the recommended serving size, so you may keep the remaining yogurt in the freezer for another time.
From ₱54.45
Recently, this greek yogurt drink has been popularized as a healthy alternative snack. From its Greek roots, Ambrosial means something delicious and fragrant. It is made from premium quality fermented milk which has been heat-treated to create this luscious drink.
Reviews have been consistently enjoying how yummy and sweet this drink is. It is packed with probiotics (live culture), which is great for the digestive system. It is also high in protein and calcium. However, you do have to limit yourself in drinking this as it contains a high content of sugar.
From ₱1,355
Kolios has racked up 52 awards in its 73 years of production. This alone speaks for the quality of the products from this Greece-based brand. Compared to other big brands, it has high protein and less sourness, but still keeps the signature creamy texture of authentic Greek yogurts.
Kolios recommends a serving size of 150 grams. The amount of saturated fat in one serving is 10.5 g, which is more than half of the total daily intake of 20 grams. Because this comes in a 500-gram cup, you can consume less than the serving size without worrying about finishing everything.
From ₱146.75
The best thing about this Greek-style yogurt is that it is readily available anywhere, may it be in the convenience store or the supermarket. If you prefer to have a ready supply of your greek yogurt as a snack, getting it in bundles will be much more convenient. With this bundle of 4, you can stock up on your week's supply.
This plain variant is the bestseller, but they also have other flavors available. All of which have the distinct creamy texture and slight sourness of real Greek yogurt. This one, in particular, has a pudding-like texture and is on the sweeter side, making it a great pick-me-up dessert.
From ₱260
This Greek-style yogurt is made with fresh milk from Normandy in France. If you want something in between plain and flavored, this is the best option for you. The honey flavor is subtle and not too overpowering. It only adds a slight sweetness without masking the taste of the yogurt itself.
The addition of cream to the already velvety smooth yogurt is what makes this stand out. It makes for a great substitute for ice cream sans the guilt. Though you can buy this individually if you want to try it, this is also available in bundles of four if you happen to like it.
From ₱235.75
If you are a bit tight on a budget but want a yogurt that will satisfy your sweet cravings, then this Greek-style yogurt with a blueberry flavor is best for you. This product is for those who want the taste of Greek yogurt but with an added twist and are not really keen on their sugar intake.
Do note that most flavored variants like this item have more sugar than their unsweetened and low-fat counterparts. It has 14 grams of total sugar, so this serves as a treat rather than an everyday staple. The product label says "Greek," but it has added preservatives and thickeners in the list of ingredients, so it qualifies as Greek-style.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
Greek yogurt provides high levels of calcium and protein, best for an after-workout meal for muscle recovery and bone health. It is a filling snack that can help you feel satiated, thus reducing the calorie intake per day. It also has probiotics from good bacteria to keep a healthy digestive system.
It is also a good option for people who are lactose intolerant but cannot seem to give up dairy. Greek yogurt can be consumed by vegetarians or those who want alternative sources of nutrients like protein, calcium, and vitamin B12 other than meat products.
Yogurt is basically fermented dairy. Regular yogurt is done by heating milk, adding bacteria like Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and letting the mixture ferment to a 4.5 acidic pH. In the process, lactose or naturally occurring sugar in the milk is converted to lactic acid.
Greek yogurt is essentially strained yogurt. Through the straining process, it reduces the amount of water, lactose, and minerals. The end product has less sugar and a creamier texture with increased carbohydrates. It has a sour taste compared to the regular yogurt that is on the sweeter side.
Yes. Greek yogurt has more calories but has almost double the amount of protein than regular yogurt. It also has significantly fewer carbohydrates, sugar, and sodium. So, if you have to choose between regular and Greek, then it is better to go for Greek yogurt.
Of course, Greek yogurt, whether plain or flavored, can be enjoyed on its own. But if you are looking for something to go with your Greek yogurt, check out the best granolas, cereals, and other healthy snacks through the links below!
Author: Patricia Catimpo
Re-editor: Tm Yuquimpo
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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