Yogurt is a great thing to eat before meals because it provides “good bacteria” for your stomach to aid in digestion.
Why Yogurt?
- High in calcium
- Excellent source of Protein
- Good supply of the B vitamins, and
- Carry ‘friendly’ bacteria for a healthy stomach.
Yogurt Food Ideas
- Breaking the Fast: A breakfast of yogurt, especially on top of cooled oatmeal, topped with lots of fresh fruit sounds a healthy start! Heat a dry skillet over medium-high heat and add the oatmeal. Toast, stirring or shaking the pan, until the oatmeal begins to color and smell toasty. Transfer to a bowl and allow to cool. Stir into the yogurt along with 4 teaspoons of the honey or sugar, cover tightly and refrigerate overnight. Sliced banana, blueberries or mixed raspberries, blackberries and blueberries can be used as sauce or slices layered on top of chilled oaty-yogurt.
- Flax & Yogurt Combo: Try sprinkling 2 tablespoons of ground flax on your yogurt for that added nutritional benefit. Mixing flax seeds in with a high protein food, such as yogurt, creates a healthy dish with high nutritional value. Flax seeds have many nutritional benefits because they are high in lignans, fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Flax seeds, when grounded provide the most nutritional benefit as they become easier to digest. You can stir in 1 tablespoon of the ground flax seeds into 8 ounces of yogurt (flavor of your choice). To make it a complete meal, add agave nectar, fresh blueberries and chopped raw walnuts. Trust me you’ll not feel hungry for long after eating this.
- Spicy Yogurt: Get plain yogurt and spice it up with berries, mint, coriander, nuts, granola, cinnamon and honey. Chill the mixture thoroughly. You could use it as a dip or a sauce. This sauce pairs well with grilled meats and vegetables. Mint soothes the stomach; stimulates bile production and flow, which aids the digestion of fats; and increases the rate that food moves from the stomach to the small intestine.
- Yogurt Pancake: This egg, yogurt and milk pancake can supply your body with extra nourishment after a sweaty workout. To make, heat skillet over medium high heat. Spray pan with cooking spray. For each pancake, scoop 1/4 cup batter onto skillet. Flip when bubbles appear on top and cook until golden brown, about 1 minute. Serve with maple syrup and berries.
- Okroshka (Cold Yogurt Soup with Eggs, Potatoes, Cucumbers and Herbs): It’s a cold soup eaten in Ukraine (and also Russia) during the hot summer months. The chopped mix (1/4 inch) of fresh herbs, radish and cucumber keeps the soup refreshing, while the boiled eggs and potatoes give it enough heft for a light main dish. Mix together all of the ingredients and chill. Serve cold.
- Yogurt “Carbonara”: Whisk egg, Chobani (yogurt) and milk together. Pour wet mixture into dry mixture and whisk until smooth. Beat together the yogurt, egg, 2 tablespoons of the Parmesan, and the salt, cinnamon and cayenne in a mixing bowl and pour over boiled Penne. Top with 1 tablespoon Parmesan and a few grinds of black pepper.
- A quick Dessert: Mush in frozen berries in a cup of yoghurt. You can also add pure vanilla essence.
- Gateau au yaourt (Yogurt Cake): This cake is often the first thing that French children learn to bake. It doesn’t need a mixer or more than one bowl — or more than 10 minutes. Whisk together yogurt, olive oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Add the flour, baking powder, soda, salt, and nutmeg right into the liquids and stir just until no lumps remain. Bake the mixture for 50 to 60 minutes, covering with foil at the end if the top is browning. Let it cool for 10 minutes and serve.
Eat them Up!
According to research conducted at Harvard University, people tended to lose weight if they include a daily serving of yogurt to their diet, probably because of the way bacterial cultures affect their intestines. For all these reasons, It is suggested that you make yogurt a part of your diet every single day.
Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
