Many think of yogurt as just a sweet snack. But the thick, creamy, rich kind that’s traditional in Greece has been integral to Grecians’ healthy diet for thousands of years. “We have a custom that before a couple goes on their honeymoon, they eat yogurt with honey and walnuts for prosperity and energy,” says Antonios Maridakis, president of Fage USA, importer of Greece’s biggest yogurt brand. “A lot of us believe that yogurt is an aphrodisiac.”
Why to try it: Yogurt promotes intestinal and vaginal health, improves lactose intolerance, builds stronger bones, enhances immunity, lowers blood pressure, and may even have anticancer and weight-loss effects. In a recent study in the International Journal of Obesity, researchers found that obese adults who ate three servings of fat-free yogurt a day as part of a reduced-calorie diet lost 22% more weight and 61% more body fat than those who just cut calories. A plus for Greek yogurt, in particular, is that it doesn’t give you the sugar overload of what you usually find in U.S. grocery stores. To save on fat and calories, reach for a low-fat version.
What to do with it: Look for Fage Total yogurt at specialty food stores, Whole Foods Market, Wild Oats, or Trader Joe’s. A 5-ounce container costs $1.89. Try it with a drizzle of honey and a handful of walnuts or almonds. Or use Greek yogurt in our delicious Grilled Eggplant and Yogurt Dip.
Recipe by Mark Bittman
Prep: 15 minutes
Grill: 10 minutes
By Joan Raymond
Comments (13)
Tzaziki is a GREAT Greek Yogurt-based sauce as well. It is usually served in Greek restaurants as a side dish, seperate from hummus. It is mixed w/cucumbers and garlic. You can find easy recipes online. It makes a cool and refreshing pita stuffer in the summer + throughout the year. Husbands like it, too! YUM :)
I love this yogurt. I like to drizzle a bit of natural honey and some bananas,raspberries or blueberries and and mix in some natural granola. Yum! This is the best beauty foods.
Two weeks ago, my friend served me a fage honey flavor yogourt. I’m hooked since!!!! DElICIOUS. It aslo controls my appetite.
this is gross
I use Trader Joes 0% fat Greek yogurt and mix it with berry mix and a little Stevia. I use a hand mixer and it comes out great.
I have to say – - this is by far the best yogurt I have ever tasted. The first time I tried it, I was a little surprised at how creamy & sour it was. But, I added a tsp. of honey, and some wheat germ, mixed it up, and it was incredible! I have been blazing thru the stuff every day. It is truly filling & really fills me up. It makes a great lunch, and I stay full until 5p when it’s dinner-time. If you haven’t tried it yet, do! Remember to add some honey, so it isn’t quite as sour!
I live in Spain for several years and get use to greek style yoghurt. Now I live in Miami, and I don’t find a market where purchase it. Can you help me?
Walter Rocce
Is there a Whole Foods in Miami? That would be your best bet but I would be surprised if Publix didn’t carry it.
greek yougert yuk
nasty
Tried the greek yogurt today that I got from whole food it was yukky, but will try it with honey as stayed above and will post my exp.
I love yogurt, but do not want all the sugar. Greek yogurt is terrific. Low sugar, high protein, tastes great with fresh fruit. I love to mix it cantalope and honey. Also, I use it when I make hummus, and I use a little to make a shake (skim milk, banana, frozen strawberries, greek yogurt, tiny bit of vanilla and honey).
You can turn plain yougurt into an approximation of greek yogurt. Place several layers of cheesecloth or paper towels in a colander and spoon in the palin yogurt. You should use either regular or low-fat, some non-fat yogurts have stabilizers/emulsifiers and those prevent draining. Put the whole thing back in the fridge for a few hours to overnight to allow some of the water to drain out. Voila!