Megan Callahan, MS, RD, LD
Hy-Vee Registered Dietitian
515-695-3786

July 4, 2020

For years yogurt has been an iconic health food, and rightly so. Yogurt is an excellent source of protein, which not only helps build muscles, but also helps you feel full. Yogurt contains calcium, potassium and a variety of other vitamins and minerals to keep you healthy. Plus, there are those live and active cultures, known as probiotics, which maintain digestive health and give our immune system an extra boost.

In the past 12 years, Americans’ consumption of yogurt has doubled, and the evolution of Greek yogurt has played a large role in that trend. With this expansion of yogurt, the difference between the varieties is still Greek to customers. Here is what makes Greek yogurt different: Greek yogurt is strained to remove most of the liquid whey, lactose and sugar, making it thicker than traditional yogurts. As far as the nutritional differences, Greek yogurt can contain up to twice the protein, and is usually lower in carbohydrates.

Our Dietitian Pick of the Month, Dannon Light & Fit Greek, is a nonfat Greek yogurt, with each 5.3-ounce cup containing 12 grams of protein, 8-9 grams of carbohydrate and 80 calories so that you can enjoy taste without sacrificing health benefits. With a variety of flavors to choose from, it is a smart and delicious snack pick, perfect for all your summer activities. As part of your balanced, active and healthy lifestyle, you deserve a delicious, convenient and nutrient-dense snack. A Greek yogurt can provide the irresistible, fresh and creamy taste you’re looking for, along with the nutrition you can feel good about. It also makes a great addition to your cooking routine, in both sweet and savory recipes.

By using Dannon Light & Fit Greek in a variety of recipes from baked goods to dips and salads, you can easily cut a few hundred calories from traditional dishes. Here are a few easy ways to incorporate yogurt at snack and meal times:

• Use plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to top tacos, baked potatoes and chili.
• Try mixing two cups of Greek yogurt with a packet of dry ranch dressing for a quick veggie dip.
• Switch your milk and butter for yogurt the next time you make mashed potatoes.
• Experiment with flavors too; replacing sour cream with lemon yogurt in a cherry or blueberry coffeecake makes a great combination!
• Cool off on hot summer days by serving fruit with yogurt in the form of a smoothie or parfait.
• Serve your salads with yogurt.
• Dip your favorite summer fruits in yogurt and freeze for a tasty snack, or try the recipe below.

Blaze Your Own Trail Mix Bark
Serves 4
All you need:
3 containers (5.3 oz each) Light & Fit Original Greek blackberry nonfat yogurt
2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
1⁄4 tsp salt
11⁄2 cups Hy-Vee bulk Omega Mix, divided

All you do:

1. In a bowl, combine yogurt, honey/maple syrup and salt; mix well. Fold in 1 cup trail mix.
2. Line a 9×13 inch pan with plastic wrap. Spread yogurt mixture evenly onto the base of the pan to cover.
3. Sprinkle surface of the yogurt with remaining trail mix. Cover and freeze to set.
4. When the yogurt mixture is frozen solid (3-4 hours), break the bark into shards and serve immediately. Bark can be broken and placed in a plastic bag and kept frozen for up to 2 weeks.

Recipe source: adapted from Dannon Light + Fit https://www.lightandfit.com/recipes/blaze-your-own-trail-mix/. The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.