Many individuals have turned to probiotic yogurt, owing to the health benefits it offers. However, with so many probiotic yogurt available in the market today,narrowing down on the healthiest ones becomes hard for the buyer. Here is a simple guide that will help you choose the best probiotic yogurts for your needs.

Read the label carefully
It is extremely important that you read the label, especially the panel that reads Nutrition Facts, before buying a probiotic yogurt. A look at this panel will let you know the nutritional value of the yogurt as well as the measure of the ingredients in it. It will then become easier for you to choose the right product to supplement your health needs.

Check for calcium content
There is no doubt that yogurt contains calcium. However, the amount of calcium present in it may vary between brands and yogurt types. In the case of probiotic yogurt, it is wise to choose a type that has at least 15% or more of calcium (daily value). Probiotic yogurt containing anywhere between 15% and 35% of calcium is considered healthy.

Check for sugar content
Many yogurt brands have added sugar in them, which will combine with the naturally occurring lactose to spike up your blood glucose levels. Don’t be fooled by the number of grams of sugar listed on the label, as this figure will include both the lactose and the added sugars. Your best bet, in this case, is to opt for sugar-free probiotic yogurt or one that derives its sweetness from natural fruits added to it. If you see sugar in the first two ingredients in the list, avoid the product.

Check for fruit content
Many probiotic yogurt brands come with fruits added to them. Ensure that the yogurt you choose has natural fruits added to it, as some products can contain food coloring and sugar. If you are wary of the presence or absence of fruit in your probiotic yogurt, opt for plain yogurt. You can then simply choose to add your choice of fresh fruit to it for an enriched flavor.

Check the fat content
Probiotic yogurt can be made from low fat or whole fat. There are fat-free versions of probiotic yogurt as well. To zero in on the best probiotic yogurts, you will need to choose ones that are either low in fat or fat-free. Be forewarned though that fat-free yogurt can contain added sugars as well. So check the label carefully before buying them.

Check for probiotic content
Yogurt usually contains some amount of healthy bacteria in it. Probiotic yogurt, however, will have added probiotic bacteria for additional health benefits. In this case, you will need to choose yogurt that contains probiotic bacteria, as some brands may contain bacteria that are not probiotic. Also, ensure you choose the yogurt that has been produced recently, as bacteria tends to die over a period.

Probiotic yogurt has myriad health benefits for individuals who consume them on a regular basis. If you are about to consider incorporating probiotic yogurt in your regular diet, here are some of the benefits you can reap from the best probiotic yogurts.

• Help support your gut
  Studies have revealed that the increased probiotic content (healthy bacteria) in probiotic yogurt can help influence the gut and aid in healthy digestion. The active cultures present in the yogurt can also help treat a number of digestive system–related disorders, including diarrhea, constipation, digestive distress caused by lactose intolerance, and gastrointestinal problems.

• Help increase bone density
  Calcium and Vitamin D are essential nutrients for bone health. The skeletal benefits of these nutrients are well known with many doctors recommending individuals to have them on a daily basis to ward off conditions like osteoporosis. Probiotic yogurt contains a healthy dose of calcium and Vitamin D to keep your bones healthy and strong for many years to come.

• Promote fat loss as well as weight loss
  Probiotic yogurt promote fat loss. Studies have revealed that individuals who consumed probiotic yogurt on a daily basis experienced more fat loss when compared to those who didn’t eat yogurt. The studies also revealed that individuals who ate probiotic yogurt regularly experienced weight loss, with many of them losing body fat in and around the belly region.

• Boost the immune system
  The best probiotic yogurts boost the health and strength of the immune system. It is a known fact that a healthy gut promotes a healthy and strong immune system. By taking care of the gut and all the disorders/diseases related to it, probiotic yogurt ensures that the digestive tract is free of infection–causing pathogens. This, in turn, ensures that the immune system is left healthy, fit, and strong.

• Help regulate mood
  No one can remain in a good mood with an unhealthy gut. The probiotics present in probiotic yogurt have a soothing effect on the mind, derived from their ability to keep the gut healthy. A healthy gut translates to a better mood as well. Hence, individuals who consume probiotic yogurt on a daily basis are more prone to exercise better control of their emotions, and experience less stress and anxiety when faced with emotional situations.

• Protect the urinary tract from infections
  Probiotic yogurt also benefit individuals suffering from urinary tract infection. The healthy bacteria in probiotic yogurt help to curb the bad bacteria from entering and affecting the urinary tract. A good amount of healthy bacteria in the adherence sites of the tract can also keep invading bacteria at bay, thus preventing urinary tract infection recurrences in the long run.

In a nutshell, probiotic yogurt has many physical and psychological benefits for individuals. Consuming a healthy amount of probiotic yogurt on a daily basis can keep you healthy, fit, strong, and disease free for long.

Yogurt is a common product in one’s shopping cart while visiting the supermarket. It is both nutritious and healthy and often is a part of the daily meal of people who are health conscious or are trying to reduce body weight. Greek yogurts are considered the most nutritious yogurts and are appreciated by majority of consumers.

Some facts about Greek yogurt
Greek yogurt is prepared in somewhat similar pattern as a regular one. At first, the milk is heated and then cooled to the desired fermentation temperature, which is 106 to 114 degrees Fahrenheit. After fermenting, bacteria grows, producing lactic acid and gets the milk protein to produce yogurt. This is also how regular yogurt is created. To make Greek yogurt, liquid whey and lactose are strained to leave behind a thicker-textured yogurt that is the Greek yogurt.

Top Greek yogurt brands
With time, the market is getting filled with so many varieties that it would make it difficult for you to choose the best Greek yogurt. It might confuse you to know which one is lower in fat and which one is filled with additional sugar and lactose. The main ingredient to look for is live active bacterial cultures and milk. The more ingredients it contains, the less healthy it is to consume. The following are some of the top brands of Greek yogurt:

Fage: It is an authentic Greek yogurt. No additional thickeners are added to make the yogurt look thicker as compared to the regular ones. It is made from straining, which is the best possible way to get the ideal Greek yogurts. In the straining process, most of the sugar and carbs are removed. It is a snack rich in protein and ideal for low-calorie lovers.

Wallaby: Wallaby is another top brand as it is ideal for a healthy diet. It is filled with bacterial cultures, which are essential to ferment the milk to produce yogurt. Moreover, they contain probiotics, which are necessary for a healthy gut.

Chobani: It is yet another good option among fat-free and plain Greek yogurt. The brand Chobani offers many flavored yogurts, but the nutritionists and the health specialists recommend to avoid such flavored ones as they negate the benefits one can get from protein. Also flavored yogurts have a high sugar content in them. Chobani has flip-cup yogurts, which are better to consume as the yogurt is kept separate from the toppings like nuts or chocolate. If you want flavor in your Greek yogurt, add berries or honey to make it naturally flavored, instead of artificial flavors.

Stonyfield: Stonyfield Greek Yogurt contains approximately 300 million live active bacterial cultures per gram, which are very healthy and fundamental for the digestive system. Stonyfield branded yogurts are said to be rich in probiotics.

Dannon Oikos: It is the brand of Greek yogurt, which has the least quantity of added ingredients. It does not contain artificial thickeners like corn starch or carrageenan that is most commonly present in flavored yogurts.

Did you know that a cupful of Greek yogurt can help you meet the recommended dietary requirements? You can savor the tangy taste of Greek yogurt even if you are lactose intolerant. It is full of proteins, required for building hair, skin, blood, muscles, bones and cartilage. Also, Greek yogurt is known to have the highest amount of probiotics, which help in boosting the immune system and reduce stomach problems.

Why should you eat yogurt every day?
The human body requires a good dose of the healthy bacteria in the digestive tract for proper functioning. Greek yogurt is rich in probiotics content, which refers to the living organisms that can offer enormous health benefits when consumed in the right proportion. Plus, it is rich in animal protein, and you get about 9 grams of protein per serving along with other nutrients such as Vitamin B-12, Vitamin B-6, magnesium, and potassium.

Moreover, Greek yogurt is much lower in carbohydrate content than the regular yogurts. This is particularly useful for people who are willing to limit the consumption of carbohydrate or are following a low-carb diet. Considering that many people are lactose intolerant, they can also consume Greek yogurt without any worries since the amount of lactose in this food is very low. In short, Greek yogurt is high in protein and vitamin content, but low in lactose and sugar. This, in turn, can promote a healthy digestive system and your gut health.

Top yogurt brands for a lovely snack
When it comes to top yogurt brands, Chobani Greek Whole Milk Yogurt is a winner. Its perfect balance of buttery richness and healthy ingredients makes it an ideal breakfast meal. In each 2/3rd cup, you will find 127 calories, 5g carbohydrates and 6g fat. According to some consumers, this is the most nutritious yogurt and tastes almost like sour cream. Opt for this yogurt as a hearty granola and make sure you replace the mayo dip with this when you prepare your next dip recipe.

The most nutritious yogurt with the next level creaminess, Stonyfield organic Greek plain 0% Fat Yogurt, is widely popular. If you have newly entered the Greek Yogurt league, it is a good option to start with. Most users have reported that it is thicker and tarter than others in the same category. The best part of including this into your daily diet is that it has 0% fat, 87 calories and 6g of sugar and carbohydrate.
If you are a great fan of the best Greek yogurts, you must try Skyr at least once. It is the Icelandic version with a thick consistency. People love its smooth creaminess, which is particularly suitable for those who are new to the Greek yogurt aisle. The tanginess of the yogurt resembles sour cream or cream cheese, and you can add delicious toppings to make it a perfect snack. With Skyr 0%, you will consume 100 calories, 3g sugar, 0g fat and 19g protein.

If you are looking for low-fat foods to include in your daily meals, then you must check these top yogurt brands to make your dishes tastier and tangier.