I Love Greek Yogurt, But Never Waste Money Buying It (2024)

Chalky texture, premium price tag? No thanks.

Published on May 11, 2021

In the last 7-10 years, "Greek" or "Greek-style" yogurt has almost completely taken over the yogurt section at the grocery store. It makes sense because, at its best, real Greek yogurt is thick and luxurious and creamy. But the caveat in that last sentence is real...because what we often buy in the grocery store isn't the highest quality example of Greek yogurt, and it can cost an arm and a leg anyway.

Greek yogurt is simply regular (most often full-fat) yogurt that has been strained — so that a bit, or a lot, of the whey is drained away. This results in the wonderfully thick, creamy, and luxurious yogurt we have come to love.

The problem comes when large industrial companies want to produce this premium product, with its premium price tag, but they need to do it as efficiently/quickly as possible. In other words, they don't want to take the time to let the yogurt drain in a mass production workflow. Instead, yogurt is often placed in machines and spun at very high speeds to "extract" the whey. This sounds like a perfectly reasonable way to speed up the process; however, like many shortcuts, this can create a problem. That rapid, centrifugal force straining can cause the yogurt to break apart. Which can result in the pasty, chalky feel that many "Greek" yogurts have.

For me, the chalkiness totally overpowers what should have been the silkiness of real Greek yogurt. Some companies also incorporate stabilizers or other dry ingredients to thicken the yogurt, producing a "Greek-style" yogurt — but again, it's not my cup of tea.

I Love Greek Yogurt, But Never Waste Money Buying It (1)

So what's a purist yogurt lover to do? My solution is simple. I buy (or occasionally make my own) regular, full fat, active culture yogurt. And then, I "plop" the whole container into a coffee filter lining a mesh strainer and allow it to drain. This way, I am in full control of just how much whey I want to drain off. That way, my Greek yogurt can be a little thinner for some recipes, or a lot thicker for others. It's up to me. There is absolutely none of the chalkiness found in commercial "Greek" yogurts...just silky, tangy, creamy deliciousness.

There is also an incredible side benefit to this DIY Greek yogurt: the leftover whey. You can add it to baked goods, or smoothies. You can use it to make more yogurt. You can store your feta cheese in it. It's wonderfully healthy — and if you have some left that you don't want to use, whey is one of the greatest additions to your compost that you'll ever find.

So not only is regular yogurt generally cheaper, but the flavor when strained is remarkably superior to Greek yogurt you'll pay a premium for at the supermarket. You get to start with a brand that you already love. And, as a bonus, you have whey to experiment with. There's really no down side.

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I Love Greek Yogurt, But Never Waste Money Buying It (2024)

FAQs

Is Greek yogurt worth the extra money? ›

While plain Greek yogurt has less sugar and more protein than regular yogurt, regular yogurt delivers almost twice the bone-strengthening mineral calcium than Greek yogurt does. Greek yogurt also tends to be more expensive than regular yogurt, because more milk goes into making each cup.

Is it okay to eat Greek yogurt every day? ›

Consuming one to two cups of low-fat Greek yogurt daily can be a healthy addition to your diet without making it difficult to maintain your weight.

Why do I like Greek yogurt so much? ›

“From a nutrition perspective, Greek yogurt typically has significantly more protein—often two times as much! —and fewer carbohydrates than regular yogurt,” Hodson says. There are versions of the yogurt that partially or fully remove that fat, but with the choice you also lose a lot of the flavor and taste.

Why do I crave Greek yogurt? ›

If you're craving yogurt, spinach or beets, you need more calcium.

What are the disadvantages of Greek yogurt? ›

Like other dairy products, Greek yogurt contains natural hormones, which can be harmful to people with hormonal imbalances. The pasteurized and hom*ogenized milk used in the yogurt can lead to histamine problems such as acne and eczema, as well as gastrointestinal problems for some people.

Why do I feel weird after eating Greek yogurt? ›

As yogurt is a fermented milk product, a person who feels unwell after eating it may have a milk allergy or an intolerance to lactose. Milk allergy is among the most common food allergies in young children.

What is the best time to eat yogurt? ›

With the four recommended times mentioned above, the best options to consume yogurt are in the morning or on an empty stomach. This is because the good bacteria or probiotics in yogurt must reach the large intestine alive to maintain digestive efficiency and health.

What is the best yogurt for seniors? ›

Enter Greek yogurt, which is a great high-protein snack for seniors eating less meat. One thing to watch out for with Greek yogurt is the high sugar content of the flavored varieties. Opting for plain Greek yogurt would be the healthiest choice, and you can stir in fresh fruit or granola.

What does Greek yogurt do for the female body? ›

Being rich in protein and calcium, Greek yogurt may help you feel more satisfied after eating. This is because this combination of nutrients helps to increase levels of appetite-suppressing hormones. Including yogurt in your diet is also associated with a lower body weight, body fat percentage and waist circumference.

Why am I still hungry after eating Greek yogurt? ›

Full fat Greek yogurt can be too high in fat with more than 50% of the calories from fat. My choice and recommendation is to choose 2% low-fat, and even that can be slightly too low in fat for appetite suppression. Simply add a few raw walnuts or almonds to reach approximately 30% of the total calories from fat.

Is it good to eat Greek yogurt every night? ›

It's low in sugar

Depending on the brand or flavour you choose, Greek Yogurt can be low in added sugar, making it a healthy, nutritious evening snack. Consuming high sugar snacks before bed will raise your blood sugar levels and this could affect your quality of sleep.

Why is Greek yogurt so much more expensive? ›

Yogurt is a fermented dairy product, and there are many types. When people make Greek yogurt, there's an extra step — they strain it so it gets thicker and more tart. Greek yogurt also contains slightly less water than regular yogurt, and it tends to be a bit more expensive.

What is the big deal with Greek yogurt? ›

Regular and Greek yogurt are made from the same ingredients but differ in nutrients. While regular yogurt tends to have fewer calories and more calcium, Greek yogurt has more protein and less sugar — and a much thicker consistency. Both types pack probiotics and support digestion, weight loss, and heart health.

Should I eat 0% or 2% Greek yogurt? ›

If your diet consists of about 1,800 calories a day, then a 6-ounce container of fat-free Greek yogurt will be a great high-protein, low-carb snack. But if you eat more calories (about 2,200 to 2,400 calories a day), full-fat Greek yogurt (vs. nonfat) might be a better option.

Is making your own Greek yogurt cost effective? ›

You'll save around $3 per tub. You'll see the most savings if you like Greek yogurt, because it's more expensive than regular yogurt. You'll pay around $5.99 for a 500-g container of Greek yogurt, but you can make that amount of Greek yogurt with a 1-L container of milk.

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