For less fat, use yoghurt instead of sour cream for your dips or baked potatoes, or when serving Mexican dishes, like burritos and enchiladas.
What's not to love about yoghurt? It tastes great, makes for a satisfying snack, and is easy to take on the go. Best of all, it's good for you. Many brands of yoghurt contain so-called "good" bacteria that help maintain digestive health. And since yoghurt is a milk product it offers calcium and protein as well as other nutrients found in dairy foods like potassium, magnesium, and vitamins B-2 and B-12.
1. Probiotics
Chances are you've heard the term "probiotic," a word of Greek origin meaning "for life." Research has shown that probiotics work to maintain a healthy balance of intestinal organisms and aid in digestive and immune function, according to WebMD.com. Yoghurts containing probiotics are those that say "live and active cultures" on their labels.
2. Substitute yoghurt for . . .
For less fat, use yoghurt instead of sour cream for your dips or baked potatoes, or when serving Mexican dishes, like burritos and enchiladas. When baking, low-fat or fat-free yoghurt is an easy, creamy substitute for butter, oil, sour cream, and shortening. Follow these baking guidelines from TasteofHome.com:
• In recipes calling for sour cream, substitute with yoghurt cup for cup.
• When using butter, replace half of it with half as much yoghurt. For instance, if the recipe calls for one cup of butter, use one-half cup of butter and one-quarter cup of yoghurt.
• When using oil or shortening, substitute half the oil with three-quarters of the amount of yoghurt. So instead of using one cup of oil, use one-half cup of oil and one-quarter cup plus 2 tablespoons of yoghurt.
3. Versatile ingredient
Yoghurt is great as a stand-alone snack and for reducing fat in recipes for baked treats, but also it's an important ingredient in sauces, dressings, side dishes, and even soups. Snacking purists can consider buying plain yoghurt and sweetening it yourself with added fruit or honey. The added fruit will supply fibre, important phytochemicals, and other nutrients. Also, consider Greek yoghurt. It is more concentrated and contains more protein - about 20 grams in 8 ounces of the non fat version, which is nearly double that in traditional yoghurt, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research. But while Greek yoghurt might pack in the protein, it offers less calcium - about 150 milligrams per 8 ounces, compared to 300 to 450 mg in traditional plain yoghurt. Another Greek yoghurt caveat: It typically contains more fat and calories, especially in the full-fat versions. So read labels carefully. Courtesy newsmaxhealth.com
