What is the difference between Greek yogurt and regular yogurt?
What are the main benefits of Greek yogurt?
How to turn plain Greek yogurt into a tasty, healthy breakfast or snack

The difference between Greek yogurt and regular yogurt is the process in which it is produced. As is known, yogurt results from the milk fermentation process by bacteria, two in particular: Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaris.
My sister always prefers her yogurt to be sweet, and I have always liked the plain acidic one. The typical acidic taste is acquired through fermentation. Regular yogurt is filtered twice through gauze, while Greek yogurt undergoes three filtrations, resulting in more creamy and consistent yogurt. For this reason, it contains less whey and therefore less lactose: a feature that makes it more digestible and more tolerable.
The benefits of Greek yogurt derive from this further filtration step, which is decisive in the variation of the product’s nutritional values.

1. Greek yogurt is a sweet gluttony for low-calorie diets
Lactose is a sugar, and the fact that it is contained in lesser quantities in Greek yogurt (about half than regular yogurt) makes it an ideal food in low-calorie diets.
Its texture, density, and creaminess make it look like a dessert made even more delicious by a couple of black cherries or a handful of red fruits and cereals or granola. Suitable for those who cannot resist ending a meal without something sweet and are always ready to give in to a small sin of gluttony.
It has optimal nutritional values for those who do sports, a good intake of proteins (about 9 g), a right amount of carbohydrates (4 g), and 0 fat. On average, 100 g of whole Greek yogurt provides 115 kcal, while non-fat Greek yogurt provides 52 kcal.
2. Greek yogurt is low in salt, and it is suitable for low-sodium diets
In most packaged products, the quantities of salt are prohibitive for those who follow a diet with reduced sodium content.
Greek yogurt contains only 45 milligrams of sodium per jar, about half the size of a serving of regular yogurt. For this reason, it is a food recommended by dieticians and nutritionists for those suffering from hypertension or those who simply want to lose weight or even fight cellulite.
Greek yogurt is a valid substitute for lunch if added to grilled vegetables, cherry tomatoes, and sunflower seeds, all seasoned with a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil.
Never miss a post:
3. Greek yogurt is a good source of protein, and it has a strong satiating power
With 9 grams of protein per 100 grams of Greek yogurt, it has a remarkable satiating power. In fact, the filtrations eliminate liquids and concentrate proteins, which affect the skin and muscles and activate the metabolism so that the whole body can benefit from it.
Each jar of Greek yogurt contains approximately one-third of the recommended daily intake of protein.
If you are afraid of calories, go for the non-fat version of Greek yogurt. However, it is good to remember that lipids should not be completely eliminated in a healthy and balanced diet but simply selected by preferring those derived from milk, fish, and vegetable sources.

4. Greek yogurt is rich in lactic ferments, and it helps the intestine
Like all self-respecting yogurts, even the Greek one improves intestinal function by promoting peristalsis and regularity. The lactic ferments contained in it integrate the bacterial flora found in the intestine, restoring the right balance.
There are several benefits of the intestinal tract:
- elimination of annoying abdominal swelling,
- decrease in digestion time,
- shorter contact time between the intestinal wall and harmful substances taken with food,
- synthesis of biotin and vitamin K that is important for coagulation and bones,
- enhancement of sugar metabolism.
5. Greek yogurt is versatile and light, and it is an excellent dressing in the kitchen
Greek yogurt can be used as a tasty and light dressing for savory dishes. The famous tzatziki sauce, for example, is nothing more than a mixture of Greek yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, oil, white vinegar, and dill.
The advantage of using this type of dressing lies in making many dishes leaner and tastier at the same time, reducing the amount of oil and/or other fats, and even eliminating the addition of salt.
How to buy the right Greek yogurt
While we commonly refer to this product as Greek yogurt, there is no federal standard for Greek yogurt in the United States. Companies can label filtered or unfiltered yogurt “Greek” based on texture and taste.
But in other countries, such as southern Europe and Greece, filtered yogurt typically doesn’t contain:
- thickening agents, such as starches or gelatin
- whey protein concentrate
- milk protein concentrate
- modified food starch
- pectin
Classic Greek yogurt is made with goat’s milk; the best is the normal one, unsweetened, low in fat, and with the least number of additives.

How to use Greek yogurt
Greek yogurt plays the perfect role as a milk substitute in the diet, especially for lactose-intolerant people. It is excellent for breakfast or snacks.
In cooking, Greek yogurt is used a lot in the formulation of cold recipes, such as frozen, ice cream, mousses, and other spoon desserts. Some use it as a substitute for milk cream in the sauces of first courses, together with spices and vegetables (cucumber, parsley, etc.) in sauces for meat (for example, beefsteak), or as a topping for chili instead of sour cream.
A very simple way in which I like to enjoy Greek yogurt is with chia seeds, fresh fruits, and almond flakes. I enjoy it for breakfast or as a healthy and filling snack during the day.
What you need:
- 3-4 tablespoons of natural plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon of chia seeds
- Fresh blueberries
- Almond flakes
Directions:
Put the natural plain Greek yogurt and the chia seeds in a bowl, mix it well and leave it for around 5 to 10 minutes in the fridge.
Roast the almond flakes, and together with the blueberries, add on top of the yogurt.
That’s pretty much it!
Enjoy it!


Do you like Greek yogurt? How do you enjoy it?
If you want to know more about chia seeds, you may read below:
If you want to know a few of blueberries benefits, you may read below:
My taste is the same as yours
I’m very glad 😃
I eat it every day of the week!
That’s wonderful 😉😋
Greek yoghurt, another one of my favourite foods. It goes with everything. Add cinnamon for cereal and dessert. Yummy -licious.
Very true! I’m glad you like it! 😋
Cheers. Have a great day.
I eat a plant based yoghurt called alpro, it helps to aid my digestion. Sadly however, l can’t eat it daily. Good post Ribana.
Thank you Rory! I’m glad that at least there is something that can help you with the digestion!
Greek yogurt. I love it.
I’m glad you like it! It is so versatile and delicious 😋😉
I like both of them.
Hahaha, me too 😉
ALL very interesting!
Thank you very much 😉
Wonderful! many benefits of Greek Yogurt.
We do get it on some stores-offline and online here and I try to buy the branded ones- even if a bit costlier.
Yes, may be a bit more expensive, but the taste is much better than the sugary yogurts 😉
Yet not all such Yogurts in the market are genuine. I see even some not so well known brands also coming out with these products and at times, it is difficult to make out genuine from the fake ones except by trying out.
True! It is important also to read the ingredient labels, and when you see things that shouldn’t be in there, you know that is not the right product 😉
Yogurt, a wonderful bacteria with loads of good things that can do to our human body. Thanks for sharing😍
Thank you for reading Simon! I hope you include it in your healthy diet 😉
I do 😇
Hi! Happy Friday and weekend to you. I absolutely love this post, and happy to see you are enjoying Greek yogurt. I love making Greek yogurt actually, and it is so healthy for you. I shared your post on my blog just now. 🙂
Thanks for appreciating our Greek products.
Thank you very much Krystina! Very appreciated! I simply love Greek yogurt! I have tried others, but I always come back to it! There’s nothing better 😋
Hi! You are so welcome. I really enjoyed your post and I hope others do too!!
Happy almost Monday to you.