Yogurt?

[Emancipated]

I'm starting to wean myself off junk snacks because of a recent health scare so I'm getting back on the yogurt wagon. Is buying "name brand" better than the ordinary kind? For instance, I bought some "Activa" brand which are made by Danone. What's the difference between these and their garden variety selection?

So basically no processed sweets anymore. Once in a blue moon might be ok but it's either fruits or so-called "healthy" snacks like Yogurt/whole wheat energy bars, etc.

Please feel free to list alternatives to junk snacks; in fact I would appreciate the effort.

[Papagorgio]

There is no difference between name brand and no-name yogurt IMO. I buy middle-eastern no name yogurt all the time and its delicious.

The only time i buy name brand yogurt is for the great flavors Astro and Source have (Aspartame sweetened).

As long as you stick to 0% or 1% yogurt, it's all good.

However, differet yogurt companies have different 'flavors' of plain, so i suggest you try different brands. Sometimes No-name plain tastes better than name brand plain (as the case with cottage cheese).

Also, don't beleive the marketing hype of 'activia' pro-biotics.. the bacteria in all yogurts is the healty part to yogurt.

If you want to be safe and not go overboard, I suggest Astro 0% or Source 0% fruit flavored (avec aspartame) they're great.

Also, whole wheat energy/cereal bars are not that healthy (lots of sugar/high-fructose/glucose/various sugars).

[Emancipated]

There is no difference between name brand and no-name yogurt IMO. I buy middle-eastern no name yogurt all the time and its delicious.

The only time i buy name brand yogurt is for the great flavors Astro and Source have (Aspartame sweetened).

As long as you stick to 0% or 1% yogurt, it's all good.

However, differet yogurt companies have different 'flavors' of plain, so i suggest you try different brands. Sometimes No-name plain tastes better than name brand plain (as the case with cottage cheese).

Also, don't beleive the marketing hype of 'activia' pro-biotics.. the bacteria in all yogurts is the healty part to yogurt.

If you want to be safe and not go overboard, I suggest Astro 0% or Source 0% fruit flavored (avec aspartame) they're great.

Also, whole wheat energy/cereal bars are not that healthy (lots of sugar/high-fructose/glucose/various sugars).

I've been told the same about those whole wheat meal bars, but what is out there? You can only eat fruits so many times before you get bored.

As for 0% yogurt, I'd rather not eat anything with aspartame in it.

[Papagorgio]

well protein bars are always better quality becuase the interaction of protein with carbs lessen the effect of the sugars. Also, there are a lot of cereal bars out there, just pick the one with the least amount of grams of sugar and don't think about it too much.

As for non-asparme yogurt, I wouldn't go for the naturally flavored yogurts becuase they have a lot of carbs for no reason. 2% yogurt does not have that much fat if you watch your portions and the fat is does have makes it taste MUCH better than 0% plain.

I've been told the same about those whole wheat meal bars, but what is out there? You can only eat fruits so many times before you get bored.

As for 0% yogurt, I'd rather not eat anything with aspartame in it.

[llbeanburrito]

Just a note about Source yogurt - it is sweetened with Splenda - no aspartame. Danone Silhouette was sweetened with aspartame but they have also switched to Splenda for sweetening.

Two things to watch out for:
- premium yogurts may be very high in fat content so check and compare the percentage of fat. Some are made with skim milk and have no fat whatsoever.
- many fruit flavored yogurts are basically yogurt with jam added - meaning that they have a high sugar content. Check the sugar content also - some are quite high.

Danone and Yoplait products tend to be more artificial than others. They use lots of coloring, artificial flavors, additives. One of the common colorings they use is carmine, which is made from a type of ground up beetle. No thanks Danone - you lost my business.

You're best off going for something like Astro or a product from a local dairy as they tend to be more natural.

[Keelie]

i like to buy fat free.
i've been buying dairyland, with fruit on the bottom, its really good. but i dont think dairyland is available everywhere, and i cant see your location.

nuts are really healthy, like almonds and walnuts. i buy my almonds plain and roast them in the oven.

[billdozer]

I despise fruit-on-the-bottom yogurts.

[nano]

i try to look for yogurts with no sweeteners in the at all... sometimes its really difficult

[CSK'sMom]

Also, don't beleive the marketing hype of 'activia' pro-biotics.. the bacteria in all yogurts is the health part to yogurt.

Actually this isn't true. Previously, the only yogurts available with probiotics were fresh, natural yogurts available at health food stores. The pasteurization process killed any probiotic cultures in the yogurt in commercially available products. They have no overcome this problem and we have an onslaught of probiotic yogurts and other products on the market. Be forewarned though, many people when first starting on these pro biotic products experience the typical "side effects" until their bodies become accustomed to it. Everything from mild cramping to major cramping and diarrhea. If they can suffer through a few days to a couple of weeks they digestive system will return to a much healthier state and become much more regular.

[getmail99]

I only buy Astro plain full fat yogurt. The one with red paint only with a cow head. Because this one has the shortest label. Why do you want sugar, natural colour, gum, ...

Just add honey and/or jam.

[Emancipated]

I only buy Astro plain full fat yogurt. The one with red paint only with a cow head. Because this one has the shortest label. Why do you want sugar, natural colour, gum, ...

Just add honey and/or jam.

That's a pretty good idea. I thought if you bought plain, you had to eat it plain. I'm really inept when it comes to imagination. I will try that instead of the pre-sweetened.

As far as nuts goes, I can only find them pre-cooked already. God knows how dirty their oil is when they deep fry it; and unfortunately they don't list the cooking method on the label. Where can you get almonds uncooked? I guess Costco may have some in bulk quantity?

[gordholio]

I just bought some yogurt (forget the brand), but it has no artificial sweeteners (but has some sort of sugar or glucose) and it is NOT the low fat kind. The Activa brand is good, but way too expensive. I don't really buy yogurt very much though, but it was on sale for $2.99 for 12 little servings (if you can call the small amount a serving).
You can also make your own with plain yogurt and some blended fruit and honey (honey is good for you).

[Keelie]

That's a pretty good idea. I thought if you bought plain, you had to eat it plain. I'm really inept when it comes to imagination. I will try that instead of the pre-sweetened.

As far as nuts goes, I can only find them pre-cooked already. God knows how dirty their oil is when they deep fry it; and unfortunately they don't list the cooking method on the label. Where can you get almonds uncooked? I guess Costco may have some in bulk quantity?

i'm guilty, i do get mine at costco.
but also, you should be able to get them raw in grocery stores in the baking section.

when roasting almonds you dont even need oil. plain on a baking sheet or in a dry frying pan is all you need. as they heat up you will be able to smell them roast. of course you can coat them if you like for added flavour, but not needed.

another great snack is crackers. i love vinta crackers, full of seeds and grains, really yummy. and rice crackers are good also, and sesame wasa crisps.
i take them to work with me all the time to snack on.

[almostfreeman]

Making your own yogurt is pretty simple. Do a quick search and you will find several methods for making yogurt. Fermented milk preparations such as kefir, koumiss, viili also contain large quantities of "probiotic" bacteria found in some specialty products.

[NorthYorker]

All yogurts are NOT created the same. In fact, most of mass-produced Canadian "yogurts" would be classified as "milk desserts" in Europe due to production process which kills LAB in cheap packaged yogurts. Another trick all 0% yogurts are guilty of is using jellying agents (like pectine or starch) to reach desired thickness. You see, no bacteria can transform lifeless white liquid known as skimmed milk into a thick stuff which is yogurt. So my choice is plain Astro or flavoured Liberty 2% or Danone 2% (Activia is da best). Danone and Astro make good "La Creme" yogurts too, but they're fatty and high in sugar.