We’ve been consuming it for thousands of years, and it looks like our love of this superfood is set to continue!

 

Words: Lyndel Costain

Healthy yogurt facts:

  • Yogurt packs lots of calcium, which is vital for strong, healthy bones, as well as muscle and Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. 
  • Eating them regularly could help to optimise the balance of bacteria in your bowel, which may have benefits for both your digestive and immune systems.
  • A serving of yogurt is equivalent to a small pot (around 125-150g). The British Dietetic Association recommends three servings of dairy foods daily as part of a balanced diet (a glass of milk or a small matchbox-sized piece of cheese also count as a dairy serving).

  • Enjoy yogurt as a snack, in a smoothie, on cereal, with fruit, in dressings and pasta sauces, as a jacket potato topping, alongside nerve function. A 150g pot of low-fat yogurt (natural or fruit) provides more than a quarter of the daily recommended intake.
  • It’s an excellent source of iodine, which is needed to make thyroid hormones that regulate the body’s metabolic rate. Dairy foods, such as yogurt and milk, are one of the most important sources. A 150g pot of low-fat yogurt contains more than a third of the daily recommended intake.
  • It’s great for B vitamins, which allow the body to release the energy stored in food, keep nerves healthy and protect against energy-sapping anaemia.
  • Yogurt is a source of protein, which helps with post-running muscle repair. In fact, research suggests optimal post-exercise muscle-replenishing foods are ones that combine both protein and carbohydrate – which yogurt does. Protein also promotes satiety (meaning it will help you feel fuller for longer).
  • People who consume yogurt and other dairy foods are more likely to be slimmer than those who don’t. Research from the University of Tennessee found that consuming three servings of low-fat dairy foods a day aided weight loss. Studies suggest this could be thanks to their calcium content.
  • For those who have trouble digesting lactose, yogurt is much better tolerated than milk.
  • Probiotic yogurts contain live, “friendly” bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Eating them regularly could help to optimise the balance of bacteria in your bowel, which may have benefits for both your digestive and immune systems.
  • Enjoy yogurt as a snack, in a smoothie, on cereal, with fruit, in dressings and pasta sauces, as a jacket potato topping, alongside a hot curry – the opportunities to include it in your diet are endless