My name is Rileigh (nurturednutrition_) and I'm a Certified Nutrition Specialist who creates simple, nourishing recipes from Maryland. Through my clinical training and internship experience with nutrition, I became more interested in cooking and expressing my creativity with how to educate others—which led me to Instagram and content creation. It has become my mission to reach a larger audience to empower people to take control of their health and to show that cooking healthy foods does not have to be boring or intimidating. My favorite and unexpected way to enjoy Greek yogurt is to marinate chicken with it, as it creates the most tender and juicy chicken. For cream top yogurt, I love to enjoy it simply as a bowl with fruit and granola.
What are the Benefits of Yogurt?
Yogurt contains many health-supportive ingredients that make it powerful. To start, it provides probiotics to help balance the friendly bacteria in the digestive system that is necessary to thrive. These microbes are supportive of regulating the immune system, producing nutrients and compounds that help strengthen the digestive tract, lower inflammation, and help protect against other harmful bacteria. Yogurt is also an excellent source of protein and calcium. Optimal protein intake is important to make the neurotransmitters necessary for mood and cognition, muscle repair, immunoglobulin formation for healthy immune system, and hormone formation for healthy cellular signaling. Calcium, the most abundant mineral in the body, is needed for bone and teeth health, adequate nerve and muscle function, and works with vitamin K to stimulate blood clot formation. Moreover, quality and sustainability matter when purchasing yogurt. Grass-fed options are best as grass is naturally high in omega-3 fatty acids, making the yogurt anti-inflammatory and supportive of the gut lining.
When to use Greek Yogurt vs. Cream on Top Yogurt
Due to Greek yogurt’s thickness, it is a great option for the base of dips and sauces like tzatziki, French onion dip, ranch, etc. The slight tang Greek yogurt provides also makes it an excellent replacement to mayonnaise or sour cream in recipes such as in chicken/egg/potato salads. In baked goods, the acid in Greek yogurt will cause the baking soda to react, resulting in a fluffy and light texture—perfect for pancakes, cupcakes, and cakes!
Cream Top yogurt contains less milk fat than Greek yogurt, making it silky smooth and exceptionally delicious for breakfast bowls, smoothies, and dressings. Create a balanced meal by adding protein, healthy fats and fiber to keep you satiated, (e.g., protein powder, granola, nuts and seeds like chia/hemp/flax, and berries). Be sure to check out some of the recipes that feature Cream on Top or Greek Yogurt like: Greek Yogurt Banana Pudding Cups Blackened Chicken Pitas + Homemade Tzatziki Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes Strawberry Lemon Poppyseed Salad
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