Take Me To the Greek!

… yogurt that is! In case you haven’t heard, Greek yogurt is one of the hottest foods right now and 2012 is shaping up to be re-named the “Year of the Greek Yogurt”. Greek yogurt now accounts for ¼ of the entire yogurt market with Chobani and Fage topping the charts in production. But what is it about Greek yogurt that has consumers gobbling it up faster than they can pump out the flavors?

Like regular yogurt, Greek yogurt is full of calcium and good probiotic bacteria.  However, Greek yogurt has had much more of the liquid whey, lactose, and sugar removed, making it super thick and creamy.  This gives you the same amount of calories as regular yogurt with double the protein and cutting the sugar content by half.

Companies like Chobani, the leader of the Greek yogurt market, have an impressive offering of flavors to choose from: Apple Cinnamon, Blood Orange, Black Cherry, Lemon, Blueberry, Honey, Raspberry, Peach, Pomegranate, Strawberry, Vanilla, and Plain from their fat-free (0%) line. Passion Fruit, Mango, Pineapple, Strawberry-Banana, and Plain from their low-fat (2%) line. Vanilla Chocolate Chunk, Orange Vanilla, VerryBerry, and Honey-Nana from their “Champions” collection. Fage supplies many of the same flavors and even has some of their own unique combinations as well!

Are you sick of just eating yogurt right out of the container? There are a ton of things that you can do to “spice” up your yogurt. Want more flavor? Try mixing in a packet of powdered drink mix, like Crystal Light. Want crunch? Add freshly chopped apple, cereal, or a few mini chocolate chips. You can also never go wrong when you pair yogurt and granola.

Chobani has an entire database devoted to using their yogurts for whatever kind of occasion you can imagine. Main courses, breakfasts, sauces, dips, desserts, and even beverages! We think that these Stuffed Shells and Strawberry Cheesecake Bars look mouth-watering! Check out even more awesome recipes in Chobani’s Kitchen. Fage also has their own collection of recipes for you to try and enjoy.

If you have never eaten Greek yogurt before, it is my personal recommendation that you do not start with the Plain flavor. Many people find it too sour or tart and get turned off much too early in the game! I myself buy a multiple-serving tub of 0% Plain and sweeten it with fruit preserves. Also, not all Greek yogurts are created equal. Some companies taste better than others! If you have not tried Chobani or Fage, then do so before you swear off Greek yogurt completely.

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Ellen Ratliff is a Senior Health Writer at College Lifestyles ™. She is a junior at Michigan State University, majoring in Dietetics with a specialization in Health Promotions. Her favorite flavor of Greek yogurt is Chobani 2% Pineapple. She eats a cup of Greek yogurt almost every day for a healthy snack.