The New World of Yogurt

You’ve probably noticed that the dairy section at your local grocery store is brimming with more choices than ever before, especially when it comes to the yogurt aisle. There have never been so many ways to enjoy this cultured dairy product, including drinks that allow you to sip them when you’re on the go and savory formulas showcasing in-season produce. Here’s a tour of the new and delicious world of yogurt.

Savory
Similar to dips, there’s a new craze surrounding cups of savory yogurts that can be eaten as a snack. Instead of fruit and sweeteners, these yogurts are adorned with an array of veggies, herbs and spices. Blue Hill Yogurt (pictured above) in New York has pioneered this savory sensation, offering flavors like Tomato, Beet, Butternut Squash and Parsnip.

Drinkables
More and more brands are offering bottles of less spoonable yogurt for on-the-go enjoyment. New York state-based Ronnybrook makes a drinkable yogurt without the use of stabilizers or emulsifiers and offers a variety of flavors, including Blackberry, Mango and Low-Fat Honey Vanilla.

Icelandic
Skyr is an incredibly thick and creamy cultured dairy product made in traditional Icelandic fashion. Like the more familiar Greek yogurt, Skyr is strained, yielding a lower water content, but it tastes less tangy than its counterpart from Greece. One of the most-popular brands on the scene is Siggi’s, which is high in protein and is made with less added sugar than many other sweetened yogurts.

Dips
Look past the fatty French onion and reach for a dip that actually has some nutrition to offer. Now you can find protein-packed Greek yogurt blended with fresh vegetables, herbs and spices. Chobani Mezé Dips have only 1 gram of fat per serving and come in four varieties: Chili Lime, Roasted Red Pepper, Smoked Onion and Parmesan, and Three-Pepper Salsa. Serve with fresh veggie sticks and whole-grain chips or crackers for a tasty and healthy snack or appetizer.

Cream on Top
Whole-milk yogurt isn’t a new phenomenon, but some brands are expanding their product lines to include more and more whole-milk offerings. Maple Hill Creamery includes a certified-organic whole-milk option with a silky “creamline” top layer, featuring flavors like Maple, Wild Blueberry and Lemon.

Photo courtesy of Irene Hamburger for Blue Hill Yogurt

Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC, is a registered dietitian, certified athletic trainer and owner of Dana White Nutrition, Inc., which specializes in culinary and sports nutrition.

from Healthy Eats – Food Network Healthy Living Blog http://ift.tt/2e2qGyS