Greek yogurt has been connected to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which can reduce your risk of heart disease. Cholesterol and triglycerides can harden or block your arteries over time, leading to heart disease or atherosclerosis.
Besides sugar, many types of yogurts have noteworthy levels of cholesterol. Nonfat Greek yogurt has about 9 mg of cholesterol per serving, while a single serving of Yoplait Original French Vanilla Yogurt has 10 mg, and Chobani Flip Cookie Dough Yogurt has 15 mg.
When it comes to choosing the correct yogurt, the Nutrition Twins advise selecting those with low or very little saturated fat, as these are best for managing cholesterol in much of the population. However, they also note that it's just as important to find yogurts with little to no added sugars.
Keep cheese portions small and weigh them to reduce temptation. Using lower-fat cheeses – such as mozzarella, feta, cottage cheese or reduced-fat cheeses – will provide less saturated fat.
“Greek has a lower amount of sugar (around 5-8 grams, compared to 12 or more grams) than the regular yogurt, while still having the high levels of vitamins and minerals,” Ewoldt says. Greek yogurt also contains about half the carbohydrates of regular varieties.
Greek yoghurt is generally considered the most nutritious option when it comes to yoghurts. Due to the way it is made, it is naturally higher in protein, which makes it a great addition to breakfast, leaving you feeling satisfied throughout the morning.
The fiber and potassium in bananas can reduce the level of cholesterol and blood pressure. Banana is especially known as a good source of soluble fibre which will gives one a healthy body and good immune system.
Avocados. Avocados are a potent source of nutrients as well as monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs). Research suggests that adding an avocado a day to a heart-healthy diet can help improve LDL cholesterol levels in people who are overweight or obese.
plantarum and L. reuteri have been found to be effective in reducing cholesterol levels." Also, any yogurt that is fat-free will not contain saturated fats capable of raising LDL levels, and has no or low amounts of sugar is ideal for managing cholesterol levels.
Our own trial also showed that Weet-Bix™ Cholesterol Lowering effectively lowered LDL cholesterol by up to 9% within 4 weeks. Overall, the study supported Weet-Bix™ Cholesterol Lowering as being an effective, easy and nutritious food for people who need to manage their cholesterol.
Plain Greek yogurt
When it comes to protein, Greek yogurt delivers. Just one cup has 17 grams of protein as well as 20% of the daily recommended intake of calcium. Why else is Greek yogurt considered one of the best superfoods for seniors? It contains probiotics, which help us maintain gut health.
The healthiest yogurt overall is St Helen's Farm Low Fat Goats Milk Yogurt. As well as having the lowest sugar content of all the yogurts we evaluated, it also has the second lowest calorie count (by only 2 calories). It also scores well in fat and saturated fat as it only has trace amounts.
Choose lower fat milk such as skim, 1% and 2% milk. Making lifestyle changes (smoking cessation and weight loss), and reducing total dietary fat (especially saturated and trans fat) are more effective at lowering blood cholesterol than reducing cholesterol intake.
Some of the best drinks for cholesterol management include green tea, pomegranate juice, citrus juice, soy milk, plant-based smoothies, and red wine.
Greek yogurt has been connected to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which can reduce your risk of heart disease. Cholesterol and triglycerides can harden or block your arteries over time, leading to heart disease or atherosclerosis.
"There are really not any risks when you eat Greek yogurt every day limiting it to two servings a day. However, you may not get the benefits if you choose the wrong Greek yogurt," says Elena Paravantes, RDN and creator of OliveTomato.com. "Greek yogurt should only contain milk and or cream and live cultures.
Nutrient-dense
Low-fat, and fat-free dairy foods like Chobani® yogurt are part of a recommended healthy eating pattern that provides an excellent source of protein, a balance of good fats, and a host of naturally occurring essential vitamins and minerals.