On yogurt

9th July 2009

posted in Personal, Recipes, Vegetarianism |

I’ve been eating yogurt again after my doctor encouraged me to start eating breakfast regularly. I like yogurt (although I don’t seem to get the same orgasmic experience from it as the women in yogurt commercials) but I’ve always eaten it in spurts. My yogurt variety of choice since my eating disorder days has been Dannon’s Light & Fit yogurt for the precise reason that it is branded as the “lowest calorie, nationally branded light yogurt available” (a 6-ounce cup used to have 60 calories; they’ve recently increased the sugar content, raising it to 80 calories). Dannon offers a gamut of Light & Fit flavors with enticing names like White Chocolate Raspberry, Blackberry Pie and Lemon Chiffon, but all seem to taste practically the same: like a watered-down smoothie with a cloying aftershot of sucralose (which is probably the reason for why I eat yogurt in spurts). It also contains high fructose corn syrup, which I usually avoid, but I gave it a pass this time considering that most brands of yogurt also contain it (Check here for a list of HFCS-free yogurts)).

After getting the breakfast RX, I did something Bold and Daring: I bought the Yoplait Light yogurt instead at 100 – 110 calories per 6-ounce cup. I chose Yoplait mostly because it’s the “only leading yogurt with vitamin D in every cup!” which is good for me since my doctor also found that I have the vitamin D levels of a vampire. During my eating disorder, I would never have looked twice at the Yoplait — it has 40 more calories! — but oh, what a difference 40 calories makes. The Yoplait yogurt has a much thicker, almost custard-like texture than the Dannon brand and actually tastes like the concoction advertised on the cup. I tried the Lemon Meringue Pie variety last night and I’ll be damned if it doesn’t actually taste like the filling in my Aunt Linda’s recipe. Strawberry Shortcake and Pineapple Upside-Down Cake? Also delicious. I even bought a few tubs for my sweet tooth husband who eats yogurt at most twice a year.

I would make the switch permanent had I not discovered only this morning that both Dannon and Yoplait (and other commercial yogurt brands, I’m sure) contain kosher gelatin, which may be copacetic for Jewish folk, but not for vegetarians (kosher gelatin is kosher because it’s made from hides or bones and not flesh, but it still contains bones and bits from fish, horse hooves, pigs and other animals). I tried Stoneyfield Farms (gelatin-free) soy yogurt years ago and didn’t like the taste, but maybe it’s worth a second try. I could always try making my own homemade yogurt, but there’s the whole lack of culinary skill and motivation to contend with. Does anyone know of any other commercial yogurt brands that don’t contain bits of animals in them and that don’t also require me to travel to far-off health food stores to find them?

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1 On July 9th, 2009, Malnurtured Snay said:

I like mixing grape nuts into vanilla yogurt — it’s very good!

posted on July 9th, 2009 at 11:17 am

2 On July 9th, 2009, Melanie said:

If you have a Whole Foods near you, you can probably find So Delicious Brand coconut yogurt. I love the “Passionate Mango” flavor. Not sure what the calorie count is, though, but since it is made from coconut milk, it might be higher than you’re looking for. But, it’s the only non-dairy yogurt I’ve really liked. http://www.purelydecadent.com/products/coconut_yogurt.html

When I ate dairy, I loved Stonyfield Farms yogurt (not the soy version, which I’m not a fan of). I’ve never tried any light yogurts, so I’m not even sure if they make one. But, it was my non-gelatin dairy yogurt of choice, because I could get it at the regular grocery store.

Good luck!

posted on July 9th, 2009 at 11:21 am

3 On July 9th, 2009, Sima said:

I’m vegan, so I’m gonna have to recommend Whole Soy and Co. It’s orgasmic. Amazing texture, super fruity and not too sweet. Try the mango or blueberry. You can get ‘em at Whole Foods. As far as other brands of soy yogurt:

SoDelicious: Much sweeter, has a sort of odd texture that requires a lot of stirring. The blueberry flavor or cherry vanilla are nice, as are key lime and cinnamon bun. I have found these at Stop and Shop as well as Whole Foods.
Silk: Less thick than the prior two, but easiest to find, and reliably good. Somewhere between the two above in sweetness level.
Wildwood: I’ve only had their unsweetened, which has a good dense texture, and a definite sour kick like Greek yogurt. Lowest cal of all, but I’d definitely put in some banana slices or sweetener unless you’re really into tangy yogurt. This one you’re only probably gonna find at the health food store or Whole Foods.

posted on July 9th, 2009 at 11:26 am

4 On July 9th, 2009, Rachel said:

Astro doesn’t have gelatin in its plain varieties (in fact, the new packaging actually says it right on the front, which is pretty awesome), but I don’t know how much they have in the way of variety of flavours. I like to buy plain 1% and mix it with fruit-only preserves. Yum!

posted on July 9th, 2009 at 11:34 am

5 On July 9th, 2009, Rachel said:

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I think I will make a trip to Whole Foods and try a few different brands offered there. And the calorie count doesn’t matter so much now as long as it’s under 150 calories or so. This isn’t because I’m obsessed with calories or am actively counting calories, but rather because this is an appropriate number in relation to my what I take in the rest of the day and my overall energy needs.

posted on July 9th, 2009 at 11:47 am

6 On July 9th, 2009, Weightless One said:

I prefer Greek yogurt. It actually tastes like yogurt. It’s not sweetened to death. I can add my own honey if I’m looking for sweetness. It also does not contain gelatin.

I was jonesing for some real yogurt after being spoiled by it while in Europe. Greek yogurt was the closest I could get to that in my grocery store.

Gotta love an ingredients list that in total reads: cultured pasteurized nonfat milk and cream. Contains five live active cultures [and then lists them].

Greek yogurt is a part of my favorite summer snack, honeydew melon topped with Greek yogurt and a drizzle of honey…mmmm…

posted on July 9th, 2009 at 11:52 am

7 On July 9th, 2009, Lucy said:

Yeah, screw that flavored stuff. Give me plain yogurt or Greek yogurt any time. I could live on that, with honey or strawberries or cinnamon or basil and mint. Everyone thinks I’m weird for liking plain yogurt. Whatever- more for me.

posted on July 9th, 2009 at 12:08 pm

8 On July 9th, 2009, Rachel_in_WY said:

And while you’re at Whole Foods, try one of the Greek yogurts. They’re delicious and never have gelatin.

I also go through phases where I buy the big tub of plain or vanilla yogurt of one of the organic brands that use evaporated cane juice instead of HFCS and then mix in my own fruit and granola.

posted on July 9th, 2009 at 12:10 pm

9 On July 9th, 2009, Cleric at Large said:

http://www.astro.ca/products/balkan.htm#

Sadly they seem to be a Canadian company.
(only in Canada, eh? pity!)

Astro has been our family yogurt of choice since we introduced it as a “first food”. We shop for the highest fat content, and fewest artificial sweeteners– frustratingly hard to find.

Diet people! BACK OFF my favourite foods.

posted on July 9th, 2009 at 12:13 pm

10 On July 9th, 2009, Piffle said:

Homemade yoghurt is easy! I use my quart pyrex measuring cup, add three cups of milk and three tablespoons of yoghurt, stir, cover it with aluminium foil and leave it overnight in the oven. I heat the oven to 200, then turn it off; or let it cool a bit after cooking something else. I like to leave it for sixteen hours or so; but longer won’t hurt. It won’t be as thick as grocery yoghurt unless you strain it, but it’s yummy as is, I like to substitute it for milk with cereal. To thicken it, just lay a thin cloth in a colander and put the colander in a bowl, then pour the yoghurt in and let it sit overnight in the ‘fridge.

So it takes some time and milk, but you get the D in the milk and you can use any level of milkfat milk that you want. I haven’t tried it with the vegan milks since I’m not vegan; but since you’re willing to eat Dannon and Yoplait I assume you eat dairy too.

posted on July 9th, 2009 at 12:14 pm

11 On July 9th, 2009, Jill said:

I’m an American expat living in England, and I’m currently travelling in my home country, so this was a timely post for me, because yogurt is different in these countries. In the USA, outside of “health food” shops, it’s hard to find a kind of yogurt that is routinely and widely available in all the parts of Europe I’ve been to: the kind that is made of milk. The ingredients list just says “milk”, or perhaps “cow’s milk” because goat yogurt isn’t terribly uncommon.

Sweetened, flavoured, and/or low-fat yogurt is available as well and is much closer to what is called yogurt in the USA. But while I’m here I miss just plain old yogurt made of milk, suitable for flavouring with salt with cumin seeds, honey, fruit, or nothing at all.

posted on July 9th, 2009 at 12:18 pm

12 On July 9th, 2009, spacedcowgirl said:

I also enjoy the Greek yogurt. The Fage brand is great, and the Stonyfield Oikos brand comes in non-artificially-sweetened flavors that aren’t too sweet (honey, vanilla, blueberry, and I believe they have strawberry now). They’re really delicious.

13 On July 9th, 2009, spacedcowgirl said:

Oh, the other thing I like (and they come in smaller containers so you would have to double-check that you are getting the amounts of nutrients you are looking for) is the Stonyfield Baby or Kids yogurts, even the kind with cereal mixed in. The Baby kind is a really nice creamy whole-milk yogurt, but the container size means it will have roughly the amount of calories you mentioned. Also, many of the Stonyfield fat-free yogurts are around 100-150 calories, and obviously they don’t taste as good because they are fat-free, but at least they don’t have HFCS or all kinds of weird crap or gelatin in them.

posted on July 9th, 2009 at 12:24 pm

14 On July 9th, 2009, Gwen said:

I’ve been eating Cascade Fresh low-fat yogurt when I want a convienent package to throw in my lunch box…~140 calories, no gelatin (thickened with tapioca and pectin) and no artificial sweeteners. It’s similar to Stonyfield, but not as pricey because it’s not organic.

posted on July 9th, 2009 at 12:25 pm

15 On July 9th, 2009, CTJen said:

Another vote for Fage brand Greek yogurt. You can add your own sweetness–I like mine with bananas and agave nectar. Yum!

posted on July 9th, 2009 at 12:43 pm

16 On July 9th, 2009, sarahbyrdd said:

Making your own really isn’t that difficult, with or without a yogurt making gizmo. I like that my homemade has no additives, and I can use whichever quality of milk I want. If you want flavorings, just add a bit of fruit or jam yourself.

posted on July 9th, 2009 at 12:49 pm

17 On July 9th, 2009, Karen said:

The regular Stonyfield (non- soy) is also gelatin free. I buy the case of strawberry and blueberry (6 each) at Costco regularly.

posted on July 9th, 2009 at 12:54 pm

18 On July 9th, 2009, Bree said:

I’ve tried eating yogurt and I could never finish a cup. But the Bryers brand with the dessert toppings looks pretty good.

Frozen yogurt, however, is a different story!

posted on July 9th, 2009 at 1:13 pm

19 On July 9th, 2009, Rachel said:

And while you’re at Whole Foods, try one of the Greek yogurts. They’re delicious and never have gelatin.

Ugh, we did that last year after reading other bloggers raving about them. The hubby and I both thought it was gross.

posted on July 9th, 2009 at 1:15 pm

20 On July 9th, 2009, OTM said:

Fat free/low fat yogurt makes me want to cry, because it reminds me of the days when I substituted fat free yogurt for any number of actual nutritious food items. So now I’m all over the totally amazing Greek Gods yogurt, especially fig – http://www.greekgodsyogurt.com/html/. A cup of that will definitely get you through the morning.

I’ll also buy full fat vanilla yogurt and throw frozen berries in it. Yum.

posted on July 9th, 2009 at 1:17 pm

21 On July 9th, 2009, Rachel said:

I make what I call “mush.” It’s basically vanilla yogurt, diced fruit (strawberries and peaches are best) with a crumbled-up peanut butter granola bar all mixed together in one big bowl of deliciousness.

posted on July 9th, 2009 at 1:31 pm

22 On July 9th, 2009, O.C. said:

The Fage yogurt with a little cup of honey on the side is wooooonderful, like a slice of cheesecake.

posted on July 9th, 2009 at 1:38 pm

23 On July 9th, 2009, JennyRose said:

Great point Cleric At large;
We shop for the highest fat content, and fewest artificial sweeteners– frustratingly hard to find.

I just realized I do this for my child but not myself. I treat her nutritonal needs as a greater priority. I try not to subject her to HFCS, trnas fat,fake sugars and other needless chemicals but I am far less careful with my own food.

posted on July 9th, 2009 at 1:47 pm

24 On July 9th, 2009, rachel with a little r said:

I agree with Sima, the Silk is good; i thought it tasted pretty much the same as dairy yogurt.

posted on July 9th, 2009 at 1:55 pm

25 On July 9th, 2009, Tiptoe said:

I’ve tried a number of different types of yogurt over the years. I’m still not a huge yogurt fan but do try to use it as a snack of some sort. I’ve tried all the Stonyfield ones which are okay. I’ve tried the Rachel’s Exotic ones which were okay. The soy ones don’t do much for me. My vote is for Cascade Fresh.

As for Greek yogurts, I do find only the ones with fruit in them are palatable for me. Oikos Blueberry is not bad. Chobani is surprisingly very good, especially the peach ones. and I’m not even a peach fan.

Yogurt is best, however, in cereal or with granola in my opinion.

posted on July 9th, 2009 at 2:03 pm

26 On July 9th, 2009, Mollie said:

2% Fage Greek yogurt (or the TJ’s simulacra) plus a big scoop of berries plus a liberal drizzle of honey. Just sayin’! If you object to the bitterness of Greek yogurt, you could try straining it–that flavor is in the whey.

posted on July 9th, 2009 at 2:17 pm

27 On July 9th, 2009, AlejandraE. said:

First-time commenter, yay!
I don’t know how easy it’s to get the yogurt-making bacteria over there… I live in Mexico, and a friend of my mother’s has access to them through her family. And it’s very easy and I love how it tastes (I’m talking about the tangy-tasting kind)
You get the little fellas, (here they call it “búlgaros”) and put them in a glass jar (I use used coffee ones) and pour milk on top of them. In about a day you will have your first yogurt recollection; you have to strain it to another bowl or jar, and keep the bacteria in the strainer… Then you wash them (just place them under the water faucet in the strainer and move it) and put them back in the jar. And so it goes… The thing is, they grow, and soon you have to move them to a bigger place or give some away or else they die. Also, you can’t let the milk stay for more than a couple of days because it goes bad, and the bacteria die too.
That’s the tricky part, you have to take care of them. But the reward is delicious yogurt ready to mix with fruit, or honey or whatever you choose. Now I want some!
This is an amazing blog, Rachel, thank you very much for all the effort you put into it.

posted on July 9th, 2009 at 2:25 pm

28 On July 9th, 2009, Carrie said:

I hear you on the Greek yogurt- I mix in some honey or fruit preserves to add just a bit of sweetness. The Chobani brand has different flavors, too, and the vanilla is pretty darn good. I haven’t seen it much outside the mid-Atlantic region, but I haven’t exactly gone looking for it.

posted on July 9th, 2009 at 2:37 pm

29 On July 9th, 2009, Fellow Vampire said:

Which ever you decide, you will need a yogurt with good levels of fat if you want to absorb any of that Vitamin D!
I, too, believe that once you go Greek you won’t go back. Get the plain and add your own honey and fruit and cereal, or get the honey flavor and dig in. Best. Breakfast. Ever.

posted on July 9th, 2009 at 2:39 pm

30 On July 9th, 2009, Electrogirl said:

Mmm, Greek yogurt. I can’t eat it straight up, though. Usually I add a bunch of fresh berries or other fruit, drizzle the whole bowl with honey, mix it up and eat. It’s a nice way to dress up fresh strawberries.

posted on July 9th, 2009 at 2:57 pm

31 On July 9th, 2009, merri said:

I used to eat the fat free yoplait yogurts. They are good and very thick and creamy. But then I saw that they do have the high fructose corn syrup, which is probably bad for us, and plus it came about that the easiest grocery store for me to get to is now wholefoods, which doesn’t even sell that brand, so I decided to switch. Wholefoods brand fat free yogurt is tasty and doesn’t have the corn syrup, but it only comes in a few flavors. Then I found rachel’s yogurt, which costs slightly more, and is low fat instead of fat free, but it comes in yummy flavors like grapefruit lychee and honey plum… http://rachelsdairy.com/ it says on their site that they are vegetarian (but obviously not vegan). Just a note their flavored cottage cheese I tried tasted GROSS. Anyway, yogurt is really yummy and good for you too, and if you have an upset stomach, those cultures help too. Plus its good protein for before the gym. Ive heard so much about greek yogurt lately I plan to try it soon.

posted on July 9th, 2009 at 3:55 pm

32 On July 9th, 2009, merri said:

Oh and ps my friend yelled at me recently for getting the fat free/low fat yogurts telling me its less healthy than full fat. I admitted he could be right (he’s part of the reason I switched from the yoplait with the corn syrup)… but I just don’t like the taste of full fat yogurt, milk, cottage cheese, etc. Is that weird? It seems opposite, but maybe just the way my taste buds got socialized..

posted on July 9th, 2009 at 4:00 pm

33 On July 9th, 2009, theKP said:

Oh my gosh, I’ve just gone through a yogurt phase myself, learning to wean myself off the nonfat varieties and trying the lowfat and full fat varieties (I’ve been trying this with milk as well…who knew milk was delicious?). When my eating disorder was in full swing, I would eat the Light&Fit yogurts with 60 calories, even though I knew it wasn’t vegetarian and that I was eating ground up horse’s hooves. I was that far gone. As I got better, I switched to plain non-fat yogurt (Stonyfield Farms), which isn’t exactly a taste treat on its own. Still better than L&F though; your description of its taste is spot on.

I’m working on trying other things. I like Fage greek yogurt, especially the 2% with the fruit on the side (think cherry cheesecake), but the most amazing yogurt I’ve tried yet is Brown Cow, which they sell at Whole Foods. If you can bring yourself to buy full fat dairy, the cream top yogurts are seriously orgasm worthy. Like sensuous custard, only better. It made me feel like a cat licking the cream off the top of a jug of milk. Their lowfat variety is also quite good, if not quite as rich on the top. It has a stronger, more robust density than L&F or Stonyfield farms, so you actually feel like you’re eating it rather than spooning up a smoothie. I also enjoyed Rachel’s, but the flavors are a little exotic for me. Also good (and also with no bovine growth hormone) are the Horizon ones–they’re good, solid fruit on the bottom ones. I also really enjoy the goat’s milk yogurts from Whole Foods, which have that tang that I love in goat’s milk and cheese, but it might not be everyone’s cup of tea.

I found the Greek Gods Fig yogurt to be a bit overpowering, but rich and creamy. It was really super sweet, but I liked the texture. The scandinavian one (can’t remember the name…Skyve?) was underwhelming to me–for the price it was kind of boring. Still better than Light&Fit, but not really worth the price.

posted on July 9th, 2009 at 6:56 pm

34 On July 9th, 2009, RoseCampion said:

I’m a vegan and don’t like any of the soy or coconut milk yogurts I’ve tried, so I’m off yogurt. but back when I was eating dairy, I used to love the Tradespoint Creamery yogurt I got at whole foods. It comes in a big glass bottle, like milk, rather than in the little plastic containers.

posted on July 9th, 2009 at 8:08 pm

35 On July 9th, 2009, Kate said:

Making your own really is easy and you don’t need any extra equipment–the New York Times article on it is simple enough. Kinda fun too in a science fair way.

posted on July 9th, 2009 at 9:05 pm

36 On July 9th, 2009, lilacsigil said:

I have the great good fortune to live in a major dairy-producing area, so I am never short of local, organic yoghurt, assorted soft cheeses, ice cream or milk. And it’s all rennet-free and gelatin-free. Sure, I have to drive 60km to get fresh fruit and veg (other than strawberries and olives in season), but I’m all set for dairy!

posted on July 9th, 2009 at 9:24 pm

37 On July 9th, 2009, Enomis said:

Don’t even get me started about fat free yogurt. It is vile. It should be called “fat free dairy-based yogurt-like product” the way that you have to call fake juice “drink” and fake ice cream “ice milk.” I think it’s sad that we don’t eat real whole foods anymore.

It’s getting harder and harder to find proper yogurt anymore. I guess I’m lucky, because I live in Canada, where it hasn’t been outlawed, so I can get Astro, and a great brand called Liberty that does a 10% mf version (it’s unbelievably rich, practically creme fraiche).

posted on July 9th, 2009 at 10:15 pm

38 On July 9th, 2009, styleygeek said:

I made my own yoghurt for the first time recently, and was amazed at how easy it was. Unfortunately, though, it’s probably more expensive than buying it, especially if you like thick yoghurt, because you drain off so much liquid that you only get a few servings from a litre of milk. But it was fun, and it’s a great way to make sure you know EXACTLY what went into it!

posted on July 9th, 2009 at 11:07 pm

39 On July 10th, 2009, KC said:

Trader Joe’s plain Cream Line yogurt. I sweeten with honey.

Pure, delicious, yum. And enough substance (e.g., fat!) to keep me going through my morning workouts with my trainer, then I eat the rest of my breakfast when I get home.

posted on July 10th, 2009 at 12:40 am

40 On July 10th, 2009, Lucy said:

Yeah, it’s weird, I grew up eating low-fat and later fat-free plain yogurt because that’s just what my mom would buy, and I loved it. Then one time I was at my friend’s house and her roommate had gone on vacation and left a lot of a container of TJ’s full-fat Greek yogurt, so my friend was like, “You can eat it, it’ll go bad before she gets back,” and I took one scoop and I was like OH MY GOD WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE. Why on earth would you eat dairy if you were missing out on the taste, I wonder?

posted on July 10th, 2009 at 2:31 am

41 On July 10th, 2009, meerkat said:

Before I went vegan I would get the fancy organic whole-cream-on-top yogurt (opposite of low-calorie), but I also liked regular vanilla or berry flavored yogurt on occasion. Can’t say I care for soy yogurt, but I haven’t really made an effort to try different brands.

posted on July 10th, 2009 at 2:37 am

42 On July 10th, 2009, meerkat said:

Oh, and drinkable yogurts! Like kefir. Those were good. I do like some of the soy versions of that kind of yogurt.

posted on July 10th, 2009 at 2:38 am

43 On July 10th, 2009, buttercup said:

Hi, my name is buttercup, and I’m a yogurt addict.

(hi buttercup)

My current fave is Greek Gods yogurt with honey or the one with pomegranate. There’s a brand called, I think, Liberte, out of canada, that does a plum/fig and a cocoanut yogurt that are both to die for. The Brown Cow cream top is ok, not spectacular IMO.

My work breakfast is an individual tub of (usually) full fat yogurt flavored with something or other and a quarter cup or so of muesli and a tablespoon of flax seed stirred in. At home, I’ll do the unflavored yogurt and cut up fruit or a spoonfull of preserves along with the muesli and flax.

Trader Joe’s has six-packs of full-fat yogurt flavored with various things, they’re little four ounce containers and are more satisfying than six or eight ounces of low or non-fat yogurt. I like those. I also ADORE the Fage greek yogurt with the honey sidecar. YUM.

For folk concerned with HFCS, the TJs does not contain HFCS, in mainstream grocery, the Dannon Naturals don’t have it either.

posted on July 10th, 2009 at 8:31 am

44 On July 10th, 2009, Aleksiina said:

I also live in Canada and Astro and Liberte are my all time favourites. I usually have it plain or with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup, yum

As a vegetarian I always try to avoid the “light” yogurts since their fat content is too low to get a proper texture without gelatin, which is yucky. I also hate the taste of most artificial sweeteners.

I just try to avoid “light” or processed food items in general since they contain the most artificial ingredients and loads of disgusting additives. I even try to avoid processed soy products for protein, the levels of salt and additives in those products are scary!

posted on July 10th, 2009 at 1:22 pm

45 On July 10th, 2009, Crimson Wife said:

Brown Cow now makes Greek yogurt, yum! They use cane syrup rather than HFCS and hormone-free milk. Don’t know whether they use gelatin though.

posted on July 10th, 2009 at 4:10 pm

46 On July 10th, 2009, Elizabeth said:

You mention the Stonyfield Farms soy yogurt, but have you tried the regular milk yogurt? (You are vegetarian, not vegan, right? Or are all the yogurts you mention soy?) Frankly, I would rather eat a smaller portion of SF whole milk yogurt, maybe with some berries or something, than a big cup of “light” yogurt.

posted on July 10th, 2009 at 4:34 pm

47 On July 10th, 2009, Elizabeth said:

Oh, and check out the water buffalo yogurt at Whole Foods. High-fat, but oh so yummy, and it doesn’t take much to satisfy you.

posted on July 10th, 2009 at 4:35 pm

48 On July 11th, 2009, Blimp said:

Yogurt made from whole milk is the stuff you want! I don’t know what to do about the gelatin. Consider kefir; perhaps a gelatin-free kefir is available. The whole idea of low-calorie, especially low-fat dairy products is insane! Fat gives you enduring energy without sugar spikes, and animal fats, including milk fat, contain indispensable micro-nutrients in their most bio-available form. Fat in your diet also helps you absorb important nutrients, such as vitamin K. I have found that a diet moderately high in fat (about 50% of calories) is not only much more satisfying, but makes me feel better and keeps me slightly leaner than the 30% or less fat calories that is still promoted as “healthy”.

posted on July 11th, 2009 at 9:22 pm

49 On July 12th, 2009, Alex said:

Try Skyr. It’s a nonfat Icelandic yogurt sold at Whole Foods. About 120-ish calories I think. Really delicious and with tons of protein.

posted on July 12th, 2009 at 6:49 pm

50 On July 12th, 2009, i-geek said:

Someone above mentioned the Brown Cow yogurt. The cream-top varieties are my absolute favorite yogurts. Like you, I also cycle through bouts of eating yogurt or not, but that or full-fat Greek yogurt are what I eat. I’m very pleased at the lack of artificial colors/flavors and HFCS in these yogurts, and the Brown Cow chocolate variety is especially wonderful. Someone else mentioned the Rachel’s Yogurts as well. Those are not full-fat so they aren’t my absolute favorites, but they are still very good and are acceptable in my book because they aren’t fat-free (I won’t knowingly eat fat-free dairy). I think I’ve tried all the flavors and liked them all.

posted on July 12th, 2009 at 11:13 pm

51 On July 16th, 2009, emi s. said:

Trader Joe’s greek yogurt is my favorite. I used to eat 0% fat, but my nutritionist suggested 2%. I like them equally well.

I also like lowfat plain yogurt – pretty much every brand I’ve tried is good. Whole Foods 365 brand and Trader Joe’s organic are particularly good value. I find that lowfat yogurt is significantly more delicious than nonfat (regular, non-greek) yogurt.

And I definitely, definitely prefer plain yogurt. I eat it as-is or add fruit, nuts, oats, and/or cereal. Slightly less convenient than pre-sweetened, but it tastes SO much better.

posted on July 16th, 2009 at 4:18 pm

52 On July 21st, 2009, spacedcowgirl said:

Wow–I will have to revisit Greek Gods full fat yogurt. I tried their 0% version, thinking it would resemble Fage or Oikos, and it was absolutely disgusting. (IMO, of course.)

Rachel, maybe the new fruit-flavored Greek yogurts would warrant a try (as people have mentioned). Oikos is the only brand I know of that has fruit flavors in a size/calorie count that is similar to what you mentioned, because it is fat free, but it’s not too sweet and in my opinion really tasty.

posted on July 21st, 2009 at 11:35 pm

53 On August 17th, 2009, Gustavo said:

I have been eating yogurt made with bulgaros from Mexico. And I have lost weight, I did not plan to lose weight but it did happen because the natural yogurt I am taking. I just put some splenda on the blender, fruit and the yogurt. Then someone told me that the reason I was losing weight it is because the “bulgaros”

posted on August 17th, 2009 at 2:03 pm