When it comes to losing weight, many people think that eating low-fat foods is the key. After all, cutting out the fat means you’ll consume fewer calories and therefore lose weight faster. Sadly, this couldn’t be further from the truth. As it turns out, when it comes to losing weight yogurt may be the single most important food category you’ve never heard of. Let’s take a look.
Why Is Yogurt Important In Losing Weight?
First of all, unlike a lot of other food categories, there is a broad spectrum of yogurts out there. You won’t typically find low-fat or non-fat varieties because the manufacturers know that people usually need their dairy products in order to lose weight. On the contrary, you’ll often see chocolatey, fruity, and creamy yogurts with high-fat contents because that’s what the customers really want. For the best potential to help you lose weight, look for the creamiest, thickest varieties of yogurt you can find.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Eating Yogurt?
Of course, the major reason people eat yogurt is for its taste. However, there are also a host of beneficial health properties that make this food category so valuable in losing weight. First of all, as we’ve established, the majority of yogurts sold in the U.S. have a high-fat content. That means the food offers very good fats which our bodies need in order to function. Second, it’s a good source of protein which our bodies need in order to build muscle and stay healthy. In fact, one cup of yogurt contains about six grams of protein.
Third, because yogurt is made from milk products, it’s also suitable for people with lactose intolerance. Those with this allergy can’t consume milk products due to the presence of enzymes called lactase in the digestive tract. Fortunately, yogurt is able to break down the lactose and people with lactose intolerance can therefore eat it without risk of reaction.
How Does The Food Composition Of Yogurt Differ From That Of Other Food Categories?
Since most of the yogurts sold in the U.S. have a high-fat content, you’d assume they’d be quite similar in food composition to saturated fats. However, as it turns out, the food profile of yogurt is quite different from that of other food categories. The following nutrients and food compounds are significantly higher in yogurt than they are in, for example, beef or pork:
- magnesium
- iron
- calcium
- zinc
- vitamin C
- riboflavin (vitamin B2)
- niacin (vitamin B3)
- potassium
- phosphorus
- sodium
- copper
Where Do You Buy Yogurt From?
Even if you have a specific type of yogurt in mind, you might not know where to buy it from. Of course, you’re going to find a wide range of grocery stores that sell all kinds of dairy products, but you’ll have to specifically seek out the organic and natural food stores if you want to buy yogurt that’s been produced without any additives.
Also, make sure you buy organic milk, cream, and sugar because the standard food products are usually loaded with preservatives and artificial ingredients. When you buy these items in large quantities, they’re usually cheaper than the regular versions and you’ll save money in the long run.
With the above information, it’s clear that you can’t lose weight just by cutting out foods with fat or sugar. Instead, you have to be mindful of what you eat and ensure that your body gets all of the nutrients it needs from the food you consume. When you eat foods that are high in fiber, your body will thank you for it and you’ll have fewer unhealthy cravings throughout the day.
Yogurt has so much to offer when it comes to weight loss. Not only does it taste great, but it’s also high in nutrients and low in calories. If you’re looking to lose weight, find a thick, creamy yogurt that’s high in fiber and protein and you’ll be well on your way to reaching your goals.