Check out my progress on The Broccoli Hut Greek Yogurt Guidebook, 2nd Edition
Just about one year ago, I provided you all with a guide to the ever-expanding world of Greek yogurt. In the past year, however, this delicacy of the dairy case has become even more mainstream, with companies like Yoplait and Dannon releasing their own (less expensive) versions. Accordingly, I feel that a 2nd edition of the guidebook is necessary. Read on for my thoughts on the latest additions to the Greek yogurt family…
Yoplait: Most Questionable Ingredients List
Although there was a time that I consumed Yoplait yogurt on a daily basis, (Apple Turnover, to be precise) on a daily basis, I have long since sworn off this brand thanks to its questionable ingredients list. Most notably, the Yoplait Light line contains high fructose corn syrup and aspartame, both sweeteners with potential negative health effects.
Anyway, Yoplait’s Greek products do not contain high fructose corn syrup or aspartame; indeed, I applaud Yoplait for using straight-up sugar in the sweetened flavors of this line. However, I am displeased with the inclusion of kosher gelatin in these products. Many yogurt companies add gelatin as a thickener for their yogurts. As a vegetarian, I prefer not to consume gelatin as it often is derived from hooves of various ungulate creatures. Also, if magical Fage and Chobani can manage to make creamy, dreamy Greek yogurt without such thickeners, why can’t Yoplait follow suit?
Yoplait also adds several vitamins and minerals to their Greek yogurts, such as vitamin D (to aid calcium absorption), vitamin A (to help build and maintain skeletal and soft tissue), and calcium (to build and maintain bone density). While these vitamins are beneficial, I personally prefer to get my nutrients from natural sources rather than in supplemental forms added to foods.
Nutrition
Serving Suggestion
Voskos: Best Low-Fat Greek Yogurt
While it hurts me to say this, I think Voskos has beat my beloved Fage with their low-fat Greek yogurt. The Voskos low-fat variety is perfectly creamy (ahem, without the addition of gelatin, thank you very much). It bears a slight sweet taste, despite its not having any sugar added; the natural milk sugars shine through in a delightful way. Nonetheless, this very slight sweetness is subtle enough that the plain variety might be used for savory dishes as well.
Nutrition
Serving Suggestion
A word on organics:
Voskos also now produces organic Greek yogurts, representing a lovely change in the Greek yogurt market; previously only Oikos made organic Greek yogurt. While these yogurts were tasty enough, and worked beautifully in my Overnight Oats recipes, the texture was thinner than I would prefer.
Nutrition
Serving Suggestions
Dannon: Most Budget-Friendly
My infatuation with Greek yogurt has reached the point that I will no longer eat regular yogurt; regular yogurt simply pales in comparison. While this Greek yogurt addiction has certainly boosted my protein intake, it has taken a toll on my grocery budget. Regular plain yogurt typically costs about 75 cents to a dollar per single-serving container; Greek yogurt can cost between $1.50 and $2. Fortunately, the the folks at Dannon provided a solution to my price woes by producing their own version of Greek yogurt at a reasonable price, typically $1 per single-serving container. Yee-haw! A quick glance at the nutrition label reveals that no mystery ingredients lurk in the mix.
Nutrition
Serving Suggestions
What’s your favorite brand of Greek yogurt? Why?
Filed under: Product Review
Caroline Yoder, dietitian-to-be and all-around foodie.
My favorite brand = Oikos. Super thick, creamy, and higher in protein than some brands.
Gelatin? Really? C’mon Caroline, I think you know better than that.
I started on Oikos and switched to Yoplait’s Greek because it was cheaper! Unfortunately I have moved to an even smaller town than I previously lived in, and the only thing available now (that I have found so far!) is Oikos. I really want to try Chobani!
Hi there,
I’m a new reader of your blog. Just wanted to let you know that Kosher Gelatin is made from fish bones. So you’re right, it’s not cool for a vegetarian. But it is kosher, which regular gelatin is not.
Have you ever tried to make your own Greek style yogurt, just by draining a regular plain yogurt for a few hours in a coffee filter over a bowl? It works great!
best,
emily in israel
Thanks for this guide! My favorite’s Fage 0% but I honestly dont eat Greek yogurt too much because it’s just too expensive. My mom and I are making our own as we speak
I think the only brand of greek yoghurt i’ve ever tried is Yoplait…it was nice enough but i’m not a huge fan of greek yoghurt anyway! SHOCK! hehe! Some of your serving suggestions look scrumptious!!
I totally agree on the whole gelatin thing though..if one company can do it…then why the hell can others not follow their lead? Would make shopping lots easier! xx
My favorite brands are Fage 2%, Chobani 2%, and Siggi’s. Oikos comes in after that.
Where did you find the Voskos? I have like a million free coupons that I need to use.
Chobani. I dip steamed veggies in plain Greek yogurt. Broccoli and carrots taste best.
I LOVE this! Greek yogurt is awesome, and this post rocks cause I totally agree with it all. I commend Yoplait for jumping on the Greek bandwagon, but their ingredients always seem to disappoint.
I too have become a yogurt snob, in that is has to be plain Greek yogurt or nothing at all. While I would prefer Chobani, Oikios of Fage (in that order, most likely), I often throw in a few of the Dannon due to the price difference.
To be honest, I actually really like the Dannon variety and am so happy they came out with one. It’s twice as inexpensive and just as thick with no wonky ingredients or bitter aftertaste.
Hi Caroline! Thank you so much for choosing Voskos as your #1 lowfat! We would love to send you some coupons, if you would like to email me your mailing address.
Vanessa @ Voskos
Chobani is my favorite—the Yoplait is just plain gross and has a powdery aftertaste. I really like the Dannon Greek, but if you’re looking to save money and like Chobani, you might consider doing what I did and buying in bulk; I got it wicked cheap at Sam’s.
I’m still trying to get into Greek Yogurt. I’ve tried vanilla oikos and was not a fan at all. :/ I plan on giving the chocolate version a try though soon! I will keep these others in mind as well! And I’ll also try some of your serving suggestions.
this. was. awesome.
i loved it.
i need to go back and read part one!!!
Oh my gosh, I LOVE Fage’s Greek yogurt… However, I only ever got the chance to taste it when I visited my hometown, Singapore, and when I was on vacation in the Philippines (really bizarre that they had it, and it disappeared within 2 days off the shelves…). Here in Canada, BC (West coast represent!), I only have access to a few brands of Greek yogurts… but I must say, Liberté’s plain Greek yogurt has stolen my heart. Vive Liberté!
Wish I could try some Voskos, Oikos, or Chobani, though…
Oh, to live in a place where one has such options when it comes to things like Greek yogurt. Here in Canada, I can think of only 3 brands that currently make a Greek yogurt, and of those, only one makes non-fat variety. The other 2 make full fat Greek yogurt. Based simply on this, I choose the non-fat, which is made of only milk and cultures. If someone were to come out with a low fat, I would give it a try.
But why hate on the vitamin D addition? I’m totally for getting vitamins from their natural sources, but there are very few natural sources of said vitamin, especially for a vegetarian, so I see that as an acceptable fortification.
Is Dannon organic?