Weighing In: Reasons to Love Yogurt

Each week, our own fitness fanatic Bethany Shirilla will explore the latest workout crazes, diet fads and dish out tips for healthy living. Managing your schoolwork is tough enough- let us take care of your health.

Clermont.GreekYogurtSometimes the best foods aren’t necessarily the biggest home-cooked meals or the finest dining, but rather the simple snacks we overlook. Yogurt has just as many health benefits as it does flavors. From Greek yogurt, to frozen yogurt to breakfast and dinner, eating yogurt is simply one of the sweetest, yet healthiest choices you could make.

Calcium and Protein

Yogurt is a very rich source of calcium. Women in particular need calcium to strengthen our bones and prevent our risk of getting osteoporosis in the future. If you don’t like milk, or don’t drink enough of it, yogurt is a much more flavorful calcium-packed choice. Yogurt is easier to digest than other sources of calcium, making it a better choice from the inside out.

Consuming protein after a workout is a familiar choice we make. But instead of drinking the usual shakes, or eating hard-to-digest foods, yogurt is a protein source you shouldn’t forget. Yogurt contains not only protein, but other essential vitamins and minerals to aid in a post-workout refuel.

Boost Immunity

In college we deprioritize the amount of sleep our bodies truly need. And on top of this, our busy schedules and interaction with thousands of people on campus often put us as risk to get sick more often than we would like. Yogurt has the ability to fight off various types of infections, diseases and illnesses. Don’t get held back from playing at the top of your game. Eat yogurt to boost immunity and you’ll find yourself getting sick and feeling sick much less.

Healthy Digestive Tract

Yogurt is special in nature because it contains what is known as probiotics. Probiotics, or “good” bacteria, help maintain a healthy digestive tract. By fighting off harmful bacteria, probiotics keep organs, such as the colon, at less risk for various types of disease and cancer. Keeping a healthy digestive tract aids in the digestion of other foods. It also helps make you feel healthier by aiding in stomach indigestion and other pains that can ruin your day.

Healthy Additives

Aside from all health benefits, one reason yogurt is so appealing is for its array of toppings. For fruity, sweet flavoring, try adding fruits such as raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries and pineapple to yogurt. Mango, kiwi and grapefruit are wonderful for a bold, tangy topping. Toppings are endless in frozen yogurt stores, but adding them to Greek yogurt or your favorite yogurt brand at home is just as tasty. If you’re eating breakfast as a morning snack, sprinkle some granola on top.

Reduce Caloric Intake

If you’re already a fan of yogurt, you might notice that one serving is filling and satisfying. Although yogurt is light and smooth, it has the ability to make you feel full faster. The faster you feel satisfied, the less you eat. If you’re on the go, or looking for something sweet and simple, eating yogurt will reduce the amount of calories you were to consume if you chose something else. And if you’re craving a frozen yogurt dessert from Kiwi, always remember that yogurt has less sugar and fat than ice cream.

Photo by Sabine Clermont

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