10 Best Greek Yogurts in the Philippines 2022 | Dalawang Milkmen, Kolios, and More

What exactly is Greek yogurt? Before you get one yourself, it is important to know what it is and its benefits. Through this section, we will be answering this question, especially how it differs from regular yogurt.  

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 has a creamier texture with increased carbohydrates.  It has a sour taste compared to the regular yogurt that is on the sweeter side.  

In a 245-gram serving of its low-fat variant, 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. 

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. 

With so many products and specifications available on the market, it can be confusing to know which Greek yogurt is best. Through this buying guide, we will provide some things you should keep in mind before buying one. 

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.

Here is the part that you have been waiting for! Our top 10 list of the best products where we made sure to include a variety of flavors, sizes, sugar levels, and more. You can find here both Greek and Greek-style yogurt to suit different budgets. Browse down below to see the most suitable one for you. 

**Prices may vary depending on the website and their campaign period**

Greek yogurt is usually paired with sweet items like fruits and honey. But you can also make savory dishes just like this Greek yogurt Alfredo recipe from Creme De La Crumb! Swap your heavy cream to the healthier alternative Greek yogurt on your next pasta cravings. 

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1/2 cup milk or water 
• 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (preferably non-fat or low-fat)
• 1/2 to 2/3 cup shredded parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried or 1 teaspoon fresh parsley
• 8 ounces of cooked pasta noodles

Directions:

1. Over medium heat, melt the butter in a pan. Add the garlic powder and the milk or water.
2. Stir the sauce and remove it from the heat. Wait for 2 to 3 minutes to let the sauce cool before slowly folding and whisking in the Greek yogurt.
3. Next, put in the parmesan cheese and mix it together until it melts.
4. You may heat the sauce again on the stove if the sauce has cooled up a bit and if the parmesan cheese has not completely melted.
5. Sprinkle some salt and pepper according to your desired seasoning before pouring the sauce over the cooked pasta noodles.
6. Toss everything together to coat the noodles evenly and top them with parsley before serving.

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!

The Greek yogurt craze will not be ending anytime soon. They are creamy and delicious as well as packed with more protein and probiotics as compared to regular yogurt. We hope that you have learned a thing or two in choosing the right one for you whether plain or flavored, Greek or Greek-style, among other specifications. 

Author: Patricia Catimpo

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