The Fro-yo craze already has already swept the nation, but it is a different type of ‘yo’ that everyone seems to be talking about. Some are skeptical if there is any real difference between Greek yogurt and regular yogurt, but the answer is actually yes. It turns out that this fad is not all hype.
Although regular yogurt is healthy, Greek yogurt ups the standards in terms of protein and sugar levels. Greek yogurt has double the protein and half of the sugar that the standard yogurt has, as well as extremely low sodium levels. These nutritional benefits are due to the way it is made. This exotic dairy product is strained extensively, which results in much less liquid whey, sugar, and lactose, making for a thicker consistency and nutritional edge.
Greek yogurt even tastes different. It is not as sweet as regular yogurt and has a creamy, tangy flavor that people cannot seem to get enough of. Popular brands such as Fage or Chobani have skyrocketed with the Greek yogurt craze. According to Probiotics Now, sales of Greek yogurt have risen more than 2500 percent in the past five years. In the United States, Greek yogurt sales have elevated from $60 million in 2008 to $1.5 billion in 2012. In addition, Probiotics Now points out that the majority of those sales come from female consumers.
“I absolutely love Greek yogurt,” senior Marguerite Sommer said. “My favorite is the peach flavor. The yogurt is so filling, healthy, and in my opinion, tastier than regular yogurt. My fridge is always stocked with at least four Chobani yogurts.”
Not only is this yogurt tasty and nutritious, students find that it also is an extremely efficient snack, easy to eat on the go or take to work or school.
“I always bring in a Chobani yogurt for snack or lunch. I feel good eating a healthy snack without making the kind of mess that hummus or other organic food often makes,” sophomore Katie Hill said.
On the downside, Greek yogurt can be extremely high in fat, so sticking to low-fat or fat-free options would be best for someone watching what they eat. Despite this, many are going Greek for a filling, convenient, and nutritious snack.
 
– Maddie Pillari, News Editor