Dannon Activia Probiotic Yogurt
Per 1 cup, vanilla: 90 calories, 1.5 g fat , 12 g sugar, 4 g protein
“Dannon Activia Yogurt is a good option if you don’t like that tart flavor and thick texture typical of Greek yogurts,” Baumohl says. It’s available in individual or large sizes. “One thing to note about Activia is that it will be much lower in the protein content,” Baumohl says a serving contains 4 grams, or 8 percent of your daily value .
Buy it: Price: $3.39 per four-pack
Disadvantages Of Getting Probiotics From Supplements
There arent a whole lot of disadvantages of getting your probiotics from supplements other than them containing more probiotics than feels comfortable for your body and getting an upset stomach from the delivery method of the supplement. You may find that you get an upset stomach from taking certain types of pills.
Some probiotic supplement manufacturers also include binders and fillers that can be harmful so be mindful when choosing a product.
Melt Organic Probiotic Buttery Spread
Melt Organic‘s blend of coconut, sunflower, and flaxseed oils is spiked with a patented probiotic called GanedenBC30. The makers of the product claim that the bacteria survives 10 times better in the gut than yogurt cultures, and, in turn, can bolster immunity and digestive health more effectively. “GanedenBC30 contains the probiotic strain, Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086. This strain is different than the standard probiotic strain, Lactobacillus, which is more commonly found in probiotic products,” explains Koszyk. “Some research has suggested GanedenBC30 might increase immune system functions and decrease harmful gut bacteria. However, there is currently not enough research to guarantee specific benefits claims.”
The Bottom Line: Fermented foods like sauerkraut and green olives are likely more potent sources of probiotics than a man-made buttery spread spiked with gut bugs. However, if you’re interested in getting extra probiotics in, Koszyk gives you the green light. “I wouldn’t depend on it as your sole source since there’s no way to know how many of the probiotics are actually making it into your system. That said, it is a source of a less common probiotic, and consuming various strains can only benefit gut health,” she explains.
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Best No Fat Greek Yogurt Organic Meadow
- Per serving : 120 calories, 0 g fat , 85 mg sodium, 6 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 5 g sugar, 18 g protein
- Probiotic strains: 1 Billion+ Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, Streptococcus thermophilus
Organic meadows nonfat plain Greek yogurt contains only 2 ingredients- organic skim milk, and active bacterial cultures.
It provides more than 1 billion live probiotic cultures per serving, is an excellent source of calcium, and is high in protein. Since it is plain, it is very low in sugar, making it a very healthy option for breakfast or a snack.
Yogurt May Not Be The Right Choice For Your Gut
Bottom line? Your pot of yogurt, while certainly beneficial for your health, may not deliver the boost to your gut flora that you thought it did.
Even yogurts with Live and Active Cultures will struggle to deliver those bacteria safely to your gut, and you have little control over the strains and quantities of bacteria that they contain.
While its certainly worthwhile to eat yogurt as a healthy snack and a good source of protein, youre much better off getting your daily dose of probiotics from a quality supplement.
Our probiotic uses patented time-release tablets that deliver 15 times more bacteria past stomach acid, compared to other probiotic supplements. We include 15 billion CFUs of bacteria and 12 different strains, and we use rigorous quality control to ensure that every batch we produce meets the very highest standards.
Here are a few key benefits of our probiotic:
- Time-release tablets that deliver 15 times more bacteria past stomach acid, when compared to regular probiotic capsules.
- Probiotic bacteria are released slowly over 8-10 hours.
- 12 probiotic strains chosen for their effect on gut health and immunity.
- 15 billion CFUs of probiotic bacteria.
- 60 tablets per bottle .
- Free of nuts, dairy, gluten, soy. Non-GMO and vegan. Made in the USA.
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Side Effects Of Eating Yogurt Every Day
Greek. Icelandic. Probiotic. Soy. Whichever your go-to yogurt type is, youre likely well aware by now that this food comes with more than a few health benefits. Yogurt has long been associated with bone strength, gut health, and weight management. But do you know the other side effects of eating yogurt every day? Because thats only the beginning.
Current available scientific evidence shows that intake of yogurt, milk, and other dairy products have very few adverse effects and may protect against many of the most prevalent chronic diseases, says Brooke Glazer, RDN, nutrition consultant for RSP Nutrition. Frequent consumption of yogurt has been shown to improve risk factors for cardiovascular disease, to lower diabetes risk, and to enhance immune function.
According to a 2018 report, the average American consumes about 13.4 pounds of yogurt per year. And is that any surprise? This dairy product is not only super good for you, but its also remarkably versatileyou can use it as a base for your morning bowl of granola, as a convenient portable snack for work, or even as a healthy dessert. Nowadays, there are more options than ever to choose from, too, including protein-rich yogurt-based drinks and even frozen treats.
If youre someone who consistently stocks your fridge with yogurt, its important to know the side effects that eating yogurt every day can cause. Here are some health perksand potential pitfallsthat nutritionists and dietitians want you to know about.
Why Yogurt Falls Short
While yogurt may help provide some level of digestive support and can be a delicious addition to any diet, it simply can’t compete with the best probiotic supplements for women, men, and children. There are a number of factors that cause this dairy product to come up short in delivering both high numbers of probiotics and the right probiotic strains to benefit your digestive tract.
For starters, only a few types of probiotics naturally occur in yogurt. These strainsBifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Streptococcus Thermophilusdo provide certain health benefits, of course. However, with more than 500 different strains of probiotics in existence, your daily probiotic yogurt will fall far short of providing you with the best overall diversity of potentially-beneficial bugs.
Even though the strains of naturally-occurring probiotics in yogurt are beneficial, your yogurt may simply not have enough of it to be helpful. In order to receive the full benefit of probiotic potency, youd need to eat more than a dozen yogurts to match the potency of an adult dose of LoveBug probiotics. In reviewing the current body of scientific research on the subject, one group of researchers at the University of Toronto found that many of the studies that touted yogurt’s benefits were funded by the food industry itself and utilized probiotic doses that were as much as 25 times the amount actually in yogurt.
Also Check: What Is The Best Type Of Probiotic
Its Also Full Of Vitamins And Minerals
All yogurts are excellent sources of calcium, potassium, protein, zinc, and vitamins B6 and B12, says Brooking. What distinguishes Greek yogurt is its thicker, creamier texture because the liquid whey is strained out. Greek yogurt also contains probiotic cultures and is lower in lactose.
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Its Rich In Important Nutrients
Yogurt contains some of nearly every nutrient that your body needs.
Its known for containing a lot of calcium, a mineral necessary for healthy teeth and bones. Just one cup provides 49% of your daily calcium needs (
Summary
Yogurt provides almost every nutrient that your body needs. Its especially high in calcium, B vitamins, and trace minerals.
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How To Buy The Best Greek Yogurt
There are many different varieties of Greek yogurt available and some of this will come down to personal preference or taste.
Plain Greek yogurt is a good choice, as they contain good quantities of all the macronutrients: protein, fat and carbohydrates and no added sugar or sweeteners. You could add prepared fresh fruit such as bananas, apples or berries, if you like.
You can also buy varieties that are pre-flavoured with fruit purées or honey these are likely to be higher in sugar and calories, so may be best enjoyed as an occasional treat.
Low-fat or fat-free varieties will be lower in calories but bear in mind that they may also contain more sugar manufacturers often add this to make up the lost flavour when the fat is reduced. If youre looking to control your calorie intake, a smaller portion size of normal Greek yogurt may be best, and the fat content will provide longer satiety.
Check the labels to ensure that the variety you are buying contains probiotics for extra health benefits.
How To Choose The Best Probiotic Yogurt
Overwhelmed in the yogurt aisle? There are two main things to look for on a label. First, make sure it says contains live and active cultures,saysDana Eshelman, R.D.N., dietitian and founder of A Dash of Dana Nutrition Coaching. Then, pay attention to the sugar contentsome yogurts can contain more sugar than a bowl of ice cream!
The bad bacteria in your gut thrive on sugar, Eshelman explains. So, going overboard on sugar can cause the bad bacteria to outnumber the good, leading to inflammation and even chronic disease. Sure, the probiotics help, but why make it work harder? Experts agree that not all yogurts are good probiotic sources, so weve gathered the ones you can count on to keep your gut healthy .
This coconut-based yogurt which contains 50 billion probiotics in each serving. Theres also a dash of Himalayan salt and cassava root in each cup which balances out its flavor and creamy texture.
Nutrition serving:140 calories, 11 g fat , 65 mg sodium, 9 g carbs , 2 g protein
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Greek Yogurt Vs Regular Yogurt
Now what about Greek yogurt? How does it compare to regular yogurt? Greek yogurt, which by the way is not actually made in Greece, is basically a concentrated version of yogurt.
Its also made from fermenting cows milk, and is essentially just regular yogurt with most of its whey and liquids removed. The result is a more concentrated and thicker yogurt.
The increased concentration does increase the amount of protein, fat, and calories per cup of Greek yogurt.
However, the removal of whey and other liquids also decreases some of the nutritional content in Greek yogurt, making it contain less calcium, magnesium, and potassium than standard yogurt.
So is Greek yogurt better than regular yogurt? Not really. It depends what youre looking for.
Because Greek yogurt has less carbohydrate than regular yogurt, it may be a better choice for low carbohydrate diets.
If you want to absolutely maximize the amount of healthy protein and fat to help with appetite and manage hunger, then Greek yogurt may have the upper hand.
But then again you could also just add some additional nuts and seeds to regular yogurt to achieve the same thing too.
Vega Protein Cashew Milk Yogurt Alternative
$2.59
Vegans need not worry about missing out on probiotic yogurt benefits. This plant-based dairy substitute packs more than 10 billion live and active probiotics into each cup, according to Leigh. Dannon also makes Good Plants, an almond milk-based vegan option containing B. lactis, BB-12 Probiotic, which seems to boost with gut health.
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Which Yogurts Contain It
L. acidophilus can be present in different styles of yogurt, from regular to frozen to Greek.
To find out if a particular yogurt has L. acidophilus, check the ingredient label. The bacteria should be listed.
Here are some common brands that have L. acidophilus:
In order to help people differentiate between brands containing live cultures and those that dont, the National Yogurt Association has created a live and active cultures seal.
Manufacturers must provide NYA with lab evidence that their refrigerated products contain at least 100 million cultures per gram, and that frozen products have at least 10 million cultures per gram at the time of production.
However, since NYA is not a regulatory organization, its still a good idea to check the ingredient list to see which specific probiotics are included in the yogurt youre planning to purchase.
Additionally, not all manufacturers register with NYA, some may choose to simply list the types of bacteria and numbers on the ingredients list or create their own label.
Yogurt isnt the only place to get your fix. L. acidophilus can also be found in some fermented foods, such as:
- cheese
- soy products
- fermented pickles
Please note that pickles made with vinegar dont contain probiotics. If you want fermented pickles, look in the refrigerated section of the grocery store.
Did you know?
Probiotics In Supplements Have A Higher Chance Of Survival
High quality probiotic supplements are usually delivered through enteric-coated capsules. Enteric coated capsules are extremely effective in transporting probiotics through the digestive system all the way to the intestines. This allows them to survive past the stomach acid and arrive safely in the intestines to be released, which is where they need to reach in order to be effective.
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Yogurt Contains Less Probiotics Than Supplements
In general, most servings of yogurt are going to contain a lot less probiotics than the majority of probiotic supplements on the market. With yogurt, you can reliably expect to get somewhere in the millions of probiotic cultures. While that may sound like a lot, an effective dose of probiotics is more likely to be in the billions.
Probiotic Bacteria Is Your Friend
You might think bacteria in your food is a bad thingand it in some cases it can be . But in live-culture yogurt, beneficial bacteria can help keep your gut healthy, say nutrition researchersand these so-called probiotics may even help you lose weight.
Even though probiotics are a huge buzzword lately, were really only starting to learn about how they work in our bodies, says registered dietitian Karen Ansel, a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The most important thing to know is that they are strain-specificmeaning, while one type may help with immunity, another might be better for gut health.
Yogurt is a great source of probiotics because it is made by fermenting milk with these live bacteria. But not all probiotic yogurt is the same.
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Risks And Side Effects
Along with the many benefits associated with this nutrient-rich ingredient, there are also some probiotic yogurt side effects to consider as well. In particular, those with a sensitivity or allergy to lactose or dairy should be mindful of their intake. While fermented milk products are generally low in lactose, they may trigger adverse side effects in some people. If you have an allergy to dairy or milk products, its important to stick to dairy-free varieties instead to prevent food allergy symptoms.
In most cases, probiotic yogurt for kids is generally safe, unless they have a compromised immune system. For children with underlying health conditions or other concerns, be sure to talk to your pediatrician before starting supplementation or use of probiotic yogurt.
Finally, keep in mind that there are several key differences between probiotic supplements vs. yogurt. Although adding probiotic yogurt to your diet can help you take advantage of the many potential probiotic benefits along with several important micronutrients, it may not provide as much of a concentrated amount as supplementation. Therefore, its best to enjoy a variety of different fermented foods as part of a healthy and balanced diet.
Lets Talk About Probiotics
What comes to mind when you think of bacteria? Probably nothing pleasant! So, you may find it surprising that many types of bacteria are actually good for you, and theres about a trillion of them living in your gut right now!
Some of the bacteria that are good for you are known as probiotics, and these comprise different strains of bacteria that have proven health effects when consumed in adequate quantities.
A yogurt with probiotic is simply one that contains an adequate quantity of certain living bacteria strains such as Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus. These live cultures in yogurt or fermented milk improve lactose digestion of the product in individuals who have difficulty digesting lactose, helping us feel more comfortable on the inside. So YAY! to yogurt with probiotics becoming a part of your daily health support choices and balanced diets lets reap those benefits of yogurt with probiotics!
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Prebiotic Probiotic And Symbiotic Properties
The colonization of the gastrointestinal tract by microorganisms, known as the gut microbiota, creates an important barrier between the environment and the individual that protects against disease . The gut microbiota can be enhanced when probiotics, live health-promoting organisms, are ingested in sufficient quantities to remain viable after passage through the gastrointestinal tract . On the other hand, prebiotics, which are dietary componentsmost often nondigestible carbohydratesthat induce the growth and activity of beneficial bacteria, provide fermentable substrate for bacteria in the colon and remain unsusceptible to viability issues during digestion . Prebiotics are 100% transferable to the colon, where they can be used to balance the microbiota, thereby providing beneficial systemic effects . Both prebiotics and probiotics play a role in modulating the microbiota . Research into probiotic foods has established the symbiotic effect of combining probiotic with prebiotic foods . Enhancing the health benefits of the microbiota can be achieved with the use of synbiotics, defined by Gibson and Roberfroid as a mixture of probiotics and prebiotics that beneficially affects the host by improving the survival and implantation of live microbial dietary supplements in the gastrointestinal tract, by selectively stimulating the growth and/or by activating the metabolism of one or a limited number of health-promoting bacteria .