The difference between Greek yogurt and regular yogurt

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I recently needed whole fat yogurt for a recipe, but found that my local grocery store only carried whole fat Greek yogurt.

This prompted the question, what's the difference between regular and Greek yogurt anyway?

Turns out the answer explains why Greek yogurt has become more ubiquitous than its regular counterpart.

Greek yogurt is more strained than regular yogurt.

The reason that Greek yogurt is so much thicker and creamier than regular yogurt is because the whey is strained off of it. Whey is the milk's watery component, which remains after the milk has curdled. Removing that liquid is what gives Greek yogurt its denser consistency.

Greek yogurt has more protein than regular yogurt.

Greek yogurt is commonly considered a healthy snack partly because it provides more protein than regular yogurt. According to Prevention, a six-ounce serving of Greek yogurt has just as much protein as three ounces of lean meat, which makes it a great alternative source of protein. Plus, it'll keep you fuller for longer than regular yogurt will.

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Greek yogurt has less sugar and carbohydrates than regular yogurt.

Straining off the whey translates into fewer carbs and less sugar in Greek yogurt. According to US News and World Report, regular yogurt has double the amount of carbs than Greek yogurt does. Just be wary of buying flavored Greek yogurt, which can pack the sugar and the carbs back on.

Greek yogurt has more fat than regular yogurt.

While Greek yogurt boasts more protein and less sugar and carbs than regular yogurt, it also has a higher fat content. An eight-ounce serving of Danon's regular full-fat yogurt has five grams of saturated fat, whereas a seven-ounce serving of Fage full-fat Greek yogurt has over three times that amount (16 grams of saturated fat). It can be a good idea to go for low-fat or fat-free versions when buying Greek yogurt.

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