What Eating Yogurt Does for You: Benefits and Tips

Eating yogurt benefits you more than you realize. You can enjoy yogurt in a smoothie, a parfait, your baked goods, dressings, dips, and more. Other than being a delicious, creamy food that can fit into most meals, what can yogurt and other dairy do for you? A lot more than you probably know!

Yogurt made from real dairy milk provides many essential nutrients including calcium, phosphorus, zinc, B vitamins, and high-quality protein. The calcium found in dairy foods like yogurt has been identified as a protective factor against the formation of kidney stones. Plus, let’s not forget that calcium is a great way to build and maintain strong bones.

Many yogurts also contain probiotics, live and active cultures that help support a healthy gut and immune system and reduce inflammation. Research indicates that probiotic-rich foods like yogurt enhance the absorption of calcium and other minerals. These live and active cultures also help your body break down lactose, meaning you may be able to enjoy yogurt despite lactose intolerance.

Nutrients and Probiotics: Eating Yogurt Benefits

Emerging research indicates that healthy dietary patterns that include yogurt may be linked with a reduced risk for chronic diseases, long-term weight maintenance, improved bone health, and reduced markers of chronic inflammation. For example, yogurt made from real cow milk provides high-quality protein, helping you stay full and maintain a healthy weight. And you can fight fatigue and fuel your body with the 4 B vitamins naturally found in yogurt.

There is another potential benefit to choosing yogurt made from dairy. Based on limited scientific evidence, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the health claim that eating yogurt regularly, at least 2 cups (3 servings) per week, may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Since including yogurt in your diet provides many essential nutrients and may reduce your risk for chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, choose yogurt made with real cow milk and not plant alternatives. You can learn more about yogurt’s potential benefits by reading A Yogurt a Day Keeps the Doctor Away or It’s All Greek (Yogurt) to Me! about yogurt’s potential benefits.

And to find the right yogurt for you, check out these different types of yogurt made with real milk. There’s a yogurt for everyone, with types varying in taste and thickness. And don’t forget that flavored yogurt is an option for you and the family of picky eaters. Flavored yogurt can be a sweet treat for all ages that provides high-quality protein and necessary vitamins and minerals.

Eating Yogurt Benefits Your Health and Your Tastebuds

Yogurt on its own or as a parfait is not the only two ways you can enjoy this dairy food. Try yogurt in recipes to add more servings to your weekly meals. Yogurt is readily accessible, inexpensive, and versatile. Yogurt can be easily incorporated into many sweet and savory recipes like smoothies, dips, and dressings.

This Dragon Fruit Superfood Smoothie uses milk, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, dragon fruit, bananas, and dark cherries for a post-workout smoothie to keep you fueled and hydrated for the day.
This Sheet Pan Mediterranean Shrimp makes weeknight dinners a snap with easy cleanup. The shrimp is marinated and cooked in a homemade Herb Yogurt Marinade that doubles as a sauce made with Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and spices. Prep the fingerling potatoes, red onion, and red pepper the night before to make it even easier.
The Greek Yogurt Dip Trio brings protein to your dips. Use one large container of Greek yogurt and transform it into three uniquely delicious dips. The Turmeric Spiced Greek Yogurt Dip combines Greek yogurt, herbs and spices, tahini paste, and lemon. The Cheddar Sriracha Greek Yogurt Dip mixes Greek yogurt, sharp cheddar cheese, lime, and herbs and spices. The Black Bean Mango Greek Yogurt Dip uses Greek yogurt, black beans, mango, plum tomato, red onion, jalapeño pepper, lime juice, and herbs and spices. Serve with fresh veggies, pita chips, crackers, naan bread, or tortilla chips.

It’s official: eating yogurt benefits more than your health. Treat your tastebuds and your appetite to a creamy, delicious, and very versatile food. For more recipes to inspire more yogurt in your diet, browse our dairy recipes.