Unless you are lactose intolerant, yogurt can be very beneficial to your health. It is a good source of probiotics, proteins and calcium. Shopping for yogurt might be a bit difficult because of the vast number of choices you might have to pick from. Here are some tips that should help you narrow down your choices.
1. Read the label
Whenever you are buying foods that are manufactured, it is important for you to check the labels. The basic ingredients required for the production of yogurt are milk and these 2 bacterial species; Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus. Other substances, like fruits and sugar are added only to make it taste better.
You should avoid yogurt brands that have a long list of ingredients because they are probably filled with chemical additives that aren’t really healthy for you. Plain yogurt is probably the best choice. You can add your own fruits or honey to make it tastier.
Also, you should check the nutrition facts which are usually written on the label. This will let you know the nutrients that are present in the yogurt and their specific amounts. You should also pay attention to the number of calories contained in one serving.
2. Check for probiotics
Your body contains a large number of good bacteria that live in your digestive tract and help your body to perform functions like mineral absorption, detoxification, production of some vitamins, and also boost your immune system. These good bacteria are also known as probiotics. Yogurt is a great source of probiotics, and in fact, these bacteria give yogurt its characteristic sour taste.
However, not all the yogurt found in stores contains these probiotics. This is because some manufacturers pasteurize their yogurt to preserve it. This process inactivates these probiotics. When buying yogurt, look for the ones that are labeled “Live & Active Cultures”
You should always remember to also lookout for yogurts with fewer numbers of ingredients when you go shopping because these are almost always the healthier choices.
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