How to Choose Organic Yogurt
Yogurt is a cool, creamy treat that has live and active cultures for digestive health, but does it always deserve its reputation as a health food? Some are made with artificial sweeteners and have a harsh, chemical aftertaste; others are loaded with high fructose corn syrup and preservatives. However, you can avoid these substances if you choose organic yogurt. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Look for what an organic yogurt should not contain. It should come from dairy sources that are free of hormones, antibiotics and GMOS (genetically modified organisms). The dairy source should be grass-fed and pesticide free, and it should not contain artificial flavors/colors, preservatives or hydrogenated oils. In fact, the list of ingredients should be simple to read and short in length! Also, look out of sugar. Though it might organic sugar, it still ups the calorie content. Try buying plain organic yogurt and adding some fruit and a drizzle of honey so you can control how much sugar is going into your yogurt.
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Look for a seal that reads "Live and Active Cultures" and specifically one that contains probiotics, such as L. acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum, for your digestive tact health. For example, children fed yogurts with probiotics tend to recover quicker from dirrehea.
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Be adventurous: try organic yogurts made from sheep's or goat's milk. Variety is the key to maintaining healthy eating habits as if will prevent boredom and also increase the different kind of minerals and vitamins your body. Goat's milk yogurt can also be easier to digest its fat particles are smaller and while it does contain lactose, it is of a different composition and also easier to digest than cow's milk. You can find yogurt made from sheep's milk at specialty stores, and its benefits are worth it: it has more Vitamins A, B, C, and E than cow's milk, as well as more calcuim and certain minerals like potassium. It also more protein (but less sodium) than cow's milk. Like goat's milk yogurt, it is also easier to digest because its fat particles are smaller.
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Even if you are vegan, you can still enjoy the benefits of organic yogurt. There are many different types of nondairy yogurts such as soy yogurts which also contain live and active cultures like L. acidophilus and L. rhamnosus. Also, some soy yogurts also contain naturally-occurring omega-3 essential fatty acids.
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Yogurt is more than just for eating by itself. You can use it a number of ways, and maximize the health benefits of an organic product. Plain organic yogurt, for example, can be used in places of fats in baking items like brownies. Organic Greek yogurt (which has a thicker, creamier texture, with more protein and less carbohydrates than regular yogurt) can be used as a substitute for sour cream in recipes for less calories and fat.
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Tips & Warnings
*If you are considered with sugar from added natural sweeteners, try buying plain and adding a smidgen of honey and berries or banana, and a couple of tablespoons of natural granola as topping. It tastes just as good!
*Organic yogurt tends to spoil faster, so look carefully at the expiration date!
