Why Greek yogurt should be on every Canadian's table

It's thick, intensely creamy, and sour. In Greek cuisine, it holds a place of honour, as it can be found both on the breakfast table and during the evening feast. Eating it will benefit everyone's health because it contains a solid portion of vitamins and nutrients. It's worth reaching for during a big Greek vacation and upon returning to Canadian reality.

Greece is not just the land of mythical gods, beautiful landscapes, and hot sun. It’s also the place where an extraordinary cuisine was born, famous for its fresh products and simple but flavourful dishes. One of the most important ingredients of the Greek diet is yogurt. It’s the foundation of quick breakfasts, where you just need to add honey and fruits, or tzatziki sauce, which is an essential component of Greek cuisine. Besides its taste qualities, it has numerous properties that make it worth including in your diet.

Compared to the more popular natural yogurt in Canada, Greek yogurt has more fat and protein, and thus also a bit more calories. Despite this, it's worth introducing it to your diet.

Let's start with the intestines, the second brain of our body. They are crucial for maintaining health and immunity even during illness seasons. Greek yogurt supports their function. Its probiotics positively affect the gut microbiome, improving digestion and the absorption of nutrients.

Greek yogurt also contains a large amount of vitamins B12 and B2. The first is essential for properly functioning the nervous system, helping to produce myelin, which surrounds and insulates nerve fibres. Vitamin B2, on the other hand, is a component of enzymes necessary for maintaining good vision.

Even children know that calcium is the main building block of bones, and Greek yogurt is a good source of it. It also contains phosphorus, which, along with calcium, is invaluable in the prevention of osteoporosis.

Protein is essential for building and regenerating tissues, including bones. Thanks to its thick consistency, Greek yogurt is an excellent source of this ingredient.

When choosing Greek yogurt, pay attention to its ingredients. Choosing natural products without added sugars, artificial sweeteners, and other unnecessary additives is best. The shorter the ingredient list, the better.