How to Buy the Best Yogurt

just checked my favorite yogurt, and happy to say it passes the test! coburn farms low-fat vanilla. i get it at save-a-lot, and i swear every time i eat it i double-check to make sure more sugar and calories havent magically appeared. it is SO GOOD. - 6/6/2013 2:57:15 AM

I love all the comments from people saying to make your own yogurt. My husband and I have discussed it, and I may have to give it a try soon.

But, I have made my own "Greek" yogurt, or yogurt cheese as I learned it. One of the previous commenters (ASCENDER) describes how to do this with homemade yogurt (cheese cloth and a strainer or colander), but this can easily be accomplished with store bought plain yogurt as well. I personally make it with low-fat as I like the flavor better, but it does work with non-fat and, of course, whole milk yogurt. Much cheaper and you control how creamy it is and what you add to it. - 1/15/2013 5:46:22 PM

This is an interesting article, but perhaps it is time for the authors to revise. Perhaps including additional products that have become more popular during the past 2 years would be helpful - the Greek Yogurt industry has exploded, and there are so many brands out there.

Also, it would be interesting for the author to address non-dairy alternatives, such as soy and coconut milk based yogurts. - 12/29/2012 7:28:26 AM

I didn't know Greek yogurt is better for those of us who are lactose intolerant. I've been eating Greek yogurt for a couple of years now for the protein content and because it's available fat-free. - 9/22/2012 12:12:13 PM

You can also use a vaccuum flask to make yoghurt.
http://www.maki
ngyourown.co.
uk/make-your-
own-yoghurt.html

I also don't subscribe to the low fat=healthy diet myth. I followed advice from my doctor to eat a low fat diet for most of my adult life and it did not work. I just continued to gain more and more weight and was hungry all the time. Now I am looking at alternative ways of eating to allow me to feel sated. I have found that more fat and protein so far has left me not wanting to eat anywhere near as much, but if I sub with more carbs I get cravings and want to eat all the time. - 9/21/2012 9:18:44 AM

Make your own yogurt. That way you know exactly what is in it. It is super easy. Warm 1 quart of your milk of choice to baby bottle temperature, mix in 1/4 cup plain store bought yogurt with active cultures and let sit at ~100F-115F for 6-12 hours. I keep it in my turned-off oven with the light on. Refrigerate when it is as tangy as you'd like.

If you like Greek style yogurt, line a colander with paper towels and pour in the yogurt. Let drain until it reaches the consistency you'd like.

If you like fruit flavored yogurts, add a spoonful of preserves to a serving of yogurt.
- 9/18/2012 3:07:34 PM

NPR had an article with some warnings specific to greek yogurt. Some brands are using thickeners.
http://www.npr.or
g/blogs/thesa
lt/2012/07/19
/156997600/hi
gh-tech-short
cut-to-greek-
yogurt-leaves-purists-fuming - 9/18/2012 1:50:41 PM

Better idea - make your own.
You can control whether it's full-fat, reduced-fat, or fat free, vanilla or plain, and whether sugar, agave nectar, or nothing at all is used as sweetener.
You DON'T need a yogurt maker.
I got my 2 quart crock pot at Goodwill for $3.99.
To find out how to make it yourself, either google or search sparkrecipess for "Crock-Pot yogurt."
I've jiggled my recipe (mostly the amount of fat-free dry milk that I use) until it comes out of the crock pot just about as thick as Greek yogurt.

You can also strain it to make your own yogurt cheese - which is MUCH cheaper than buying cream cheese - if you happen to want to make a cheesecake :-D
It's also great on toast, muffins, or quickbread. - 9/18/2012 1:11:06 PM

Eating low fat a non fat dairy is actually one of the many causes of obesity. Shame on you Spark for these "old fashioned scriptures" - 9/18/2012 12:49:03 PM

I make my own, which I prefer to all others. YOU control the fat content. I usually use fat free milk, but using whole milk makes a special treat. Yogurt makers are very inexpensive... mine cost $20, and the culture can be found at any health food store. We have a Whole Foods in our town, so I get mine there. A bowl of mixed fruit, plain unsweetened yogurt, 1 top. of sugar, and sprinkled with cinnamon.... can't be beat!

I started making my own when I underwent several weeks of taking antibiotics, which really messes up your digestive system. The yogurt brings back your good bacteria.
148 - 9/18/2012 12:24:30 PM

Thanks for the positive feed back neighbor Nancy !! I'll give it a try. Who knew!!??? : ) - 9/18/2012 11:56:43 AM

No mention of any of the amazing Greek style, high protein choices out there. When was this article written? - 9/18/2012 10:52:57 AM

Becky Hand, get with the times! The rest of the enlightened world has realized that low-fat is not a healthy way to eat. - 9/18/2012 9:46:18 AM

Thanks for sharing! Have a nice day! - 9/18/2012 9:22:15 AM

I make my own plain yogurt from 2% organic milk. To make "Greek Yogurt," or what my Turkish husband calls yogurt cheese. Hope the info below is helpful - it is what I use, but I am sure there are other products too. Advantages: no added chemicals/preserv
atives; less plastic yogurt containers to recycle; lower sugar content and use your own fruit if you want more flavor; use plain yogurt in recipes (ask me if you want some!)

Yogurt Maker Machine http://www.amazon
.com/Euro-Cui
sine-Yogurt-M
aker-YM80/dp/
B000EX16RY/re
f=sr_1_2?ie=U
TF8&s=home-ga
rden&qid=1276361202&sr=8-2

Yogurt cheese strainer http://www.amazon
.com/Donvier-
837426-Cuisip
ro-YOGURT-CHE
ESE/dp/B00006
4841/ref=sr_1
_1?ie=UTF8&s=
home-garden&qid=1276361280&sr=1-1

Yogurt Starter http://www.amazon
.com/Yogurt-C
ulture-2-Pack
s-Sealed-Toge
ther/dp/B0006
2KTX0/ref=pd_sim_k_4
Or

http://www.amaz
on.com/Cuisip
ro-837421-6-P
ack-Yogurt-Cu
lture/dp/B001
W0Y422/ref=sr
_1_1?ie=UTF8&
s=home-garden&qid=1276361325&sr=1-1

Or
http://www.amaz
on.com/Euro-C
uisine-Yogurt
-Starter-2-pa
cks/dp/B000EO
NEU0/ref=sr_1
_4?ie=UTF8&s=
home-garden&qid=1276361325&sr=1-4

Often the first two cultures listed are out of stock. The Euro-cuisine starter works fine; I just like the flavor and texture of the others a bit better. The package deal with additional jars is a good deal if you really like yogurt as much as I do. I make at least 3 batches of yogurt a week (with 2% organic milk; less than 2% milk doesn’t give you enough fat to have the yogurt set thickly enough). I use 4 jars of yogurt to make a batch of yogurt cheese (ready in 2 days). 1-2 tablespoons of yogurt cheese with blueberries is an awesome and healthy breakfast – one of my long-standing favorite treats! - 9/18/2012 8:39:57 AM