Apparently, many of us are not comfortable around ice cream anymore. Recently, there has been a whole lot of buzz about the need to stay healthy. Many times, we are told that we need to cut down on the intake of unhealthy and fattening diets like ice cream and this really hurts. We crave the creamy taste but we just cannot risk having a spoon of ice cream because we want to stay fit, trim and healthy. Guess what? You can still feel the creamy taste in a healthy way. Let’s talk about yogurts!
Ever Heard of them?
Of course, you have. Remember those sour tasting creams you were fed with as a kid that you probably never liked? Yes, that was yogurt. Just in case you still don’t remember what I am talking about, here is a more vivid description. They are white, creamy liquids with a tangy flavor. Yogurts are dairy products made from the bacterial fermentation of milk. Don’t be put off by the word: bacteria. We actually have loads of bacteria that are beneficial to humans. An obvious benefit is that they help us make healthy rich yogurts. The bacteria we use to make yogurts are called yogurt cultures. And they basically ferment lactose; the sugar we find in milk. I am sure you know what I am talking about now.
Every Type of Milk?
Yes! You can make your yogurt from every type of milk. Skimmed milk and whole milk are the most popular types we use. Generally, yogurts that are made from skimmed milk are considered fat-free and the ones from whole milk are full-fat yogurts.
What Exactly Do Yogurt Cultures Do?
Yogurt cultures ferment the lactose in milk. The result of this process is the production of lactic acid. Basically, lactic acid curdles your milk proteins and this gives your yogurt its unique flavor and texture.
Talk about Variety
Usually, your plain yogurts don’t contain any additives or colorings. Some people add natural fruit flavors like banana flavors or pineapple flavors and they taste great too. However, you should stay away from yogurts that contain sugars and artificial flavors. These are not good for your health at all.
Now, you know what yogurts are. So, why exactly do you need to make them a recurring part of your diet? Let’s discuss 5 reasons yogurts should be your new favorite.
Great Protein Source
Yogurts are your one-stop destination for protein. This is because they contain an impressive amount of protein. Actually, they have nearly 200 grams of protein content. Proteins are one of the most important nutrients in your body. In fact, they aid your body’s metabolism by increasing the number of calories that you burn off daily. So, you should eat more yogurt if you really want to burn off those flab and excess body calories.
Caging Your Appetite
Are you always craving food? Try controlling this by eating more yogurts. Yogurts are great appetite controllers. Yogurts increase the rate of the secretion of body hormones that indicate fullness. In other words, they help you know when you should just stop eating. This is beneficial for people who want to control what and how they eat. Yogurts reduce the amount of calories that you consume each day.
Great for Your Digestive System
Nutrient extractor! That is what I call my digestive system. And I know just how important it is for this system to work at maximum capacity. Fortunately, yogurts contain active ingredients that can save you from a whole lot of digestive system issues such as gastrointestinal problems, indigestion, constipation and bloating. Yogurts contain a healthy type of bacteria known as probiotics that boost digestive health. Probiotics are healthy bacteria that help you. The truth is that many of the health benefits that come with eating yogurts stem from probiotics. In addition, yogurts improve the general digestive health of adult females. You stay away from pasteurized yogurt because the heat from pasteurization often kills these good bacteria and does not allow yogurts benefit your digestive system.
Helping Your Immune System
Yogurts are great for your immune system. They strengthen the immune system and make it more effective against viruses and other disease-causing agents. Consuming yogurts regularly can reduce your risk of falling ill. The probiotics contained in yogurts help to reduce the risk of having gut inflammations and viral infections. Essentially, yogurts contain a number of vitamins and minerals that are great for your immune system. Zinc, Magnesium, and Selenium are just a few out of the many minerals that make yogurts great immune boosters. In addition, it contains Vitamin D that helps to protect you from common colds and flu.
Healthier Bones
The calcium in yogurts helps to strengthen your bones and improve your bone health. Elderly persons should eat more yogurts because they protect them from a bone-weakening condition known as Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis reduces your bone density and puts you at a greater risk of having a fracture or joint dislocation. Eating at least three servings of yogurt can greatly improve your bones’ health. The vitamins and minerals in yogurts are simply bone-savers.
Okay, I see you are about to dig into a cup of creamy yogurts. But wait! Yogurts may not just be for everyone. Persons with lactose intolerance and milk allergies may just want to stay away from them. Lactose-intolerant persons may suffer gut irritation and indigestion if they eat yogurts. Remember, yogurts are still milk so if you have milk allergies, you may want to keep off yogurts.
Heads Up!
The best yogurts are sugar and pasteurization free. Sadly, because many producers of yogurt want to make profits, they often add a variety of sweeteners that may not be right for your health. Before you buy that yogurt, ensure that you read the labels and make sure they do not contain any of these unhealthy sweeteners. For maximum health benefit, you should choose natural yogurts that have not been pasteurized and do not have any sugars or artificial flavors in them.
Some Tips You Should Consider before Buying Yogurts
When you walk into the store to get some of these healthy, creamy, dairy products, yogurt, it is important that you consider whether you want the fat-free or fat-full type. Typically, it is best to choose what works for you. However, be sure to confirm what sort of sweetener is contained in the yogurt. Also, remember to check for all essential vitamins and minerals that make your yogurt great! Specifically, you should pay attention to probiotic content and vitamin D content. Usually, yogurts that contain active probiotics will always state so on the label.
Getting Creative with Your Yogurt
Make your yogurt diet your own. You could have your yogurts with cereals or fruits with high fiber content. You may also choose to experiment with natural fruit flavors like strawberries or oranges. Whip up a creamier and healthier smoothie by adding some spoons of yogurt to it. Replace your sour cream with yogurts when baking and give them a pride of place when whipping up your favorite smoothies. You can do whatever you want with yogurts. Enjoy the ever-creamy tastes.
Final Words…
Now, you know just how great yogurts can be. Remember to make them a regular part of your diet if they work well for your body’s natural system. Keep a cute bowl of natural yogurt in the fridge next time you are at work. Don’t forget to jealously guard the bowl—you never know who`s just waiting to grab it and get healthier!
