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What are the Pros and Cons of the Yogurt Diet?

By Samer Adra
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 14,048
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Contrary to its name, the yogurt diet does not usually mean eating only yogurt. Rather, the yogurt diet typically means eating a low-fat diet supplemented with three servings of yogurt each day. The benefits of this might include immune support and increased intake of healthy nutrients from yogurt. Many people claim to experience accelerated weight loss while on the yogurt diet. Following such a diet can be a cause for concern if the types of yogurt, or the other parts of the diet, are not selected carefully. The wrong kind of yogurt can add things such as sugar, high-fructose corn syrup or even harmful chemicals to one's diet.

Following the yogurt diet might be as simple as eating three single-serving flavored yogurt cups each day, usually as a replacement for a less healthy choice. On the other hand, yogurt is a primary ingredient in various breakfast dishes, entrées, snacks, desserts and beverages, and it is served in different styles around the world, depending on culture. The diet typically does not prescribe a specific diet plan, other than to suggest that the yogurt be paired with healthy, low-fat foods.

Yogurt is an excellent source of probiotics — the good bacteria that promote digestive health. When using store-bought yogurt, one must be sure that the label specifies that it contains live cultures. Although all yogurt is made with live cultures containing probiotic bacteria, processing can sometimes destroy these good bacteria. Plain yogurt contains significant amounts of protein, calcium, riboflavin and vitamins B6 and B12.

When store-bought flavored yogurt is used, it must be selected carefully. Many yogurts contain added sweeteners, such as sugar, high-fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners such as aspartame. A high-sugar diet is not conducive to weight loss, and furthermore, artificial sweeteners are rife with their own risks and controversies. Fat content can vary, so one must be careful to check the label and know his or her own dietary needs. Finally, many yogurts are made milk from cows treated with recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST), which is a bovine growth hormone that some studies have linked to negative effects on human health.

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Discussion Comments
By fify — On Jun 17, 2011

I heard that yogurt with probiotics is beneficial if we have one serving everyday. But any more than that might actually be bad. I heard a doctor talking about this on TV. She said that our stomach and digestive system have a certain flora, meaning a certain amount of beneficial bacteria living in it. If we overdo probiotic yogurts, we might disturb that flora which might cause problems with out digestive system.

I think people might overdo probiotics when they are on this diet. If I were following the yogurt diet, I think I would have a variety of yogurts, some with probiotics and some without, to balance it out.

By discographer — On Jun 14, 2011

I think the best part of the yogurt diet is the protein content in the yogurt.

If you have a zero fat, low sugar yogurt high in protein, that is an amazing way to loose weight. If you look at healthy doctor-prescribed diets out there, they usually limit fat, bad carbohydrates, such as sugar and those from white flour and increase the amount of protein.

Foods with the highest amounts of protein are meats, egg, and dairy products. Aside from milk and yogurt, you cannot get anything else with zero fat. So yogurt is really the best way to get the protein that you need without getting the fat.

And when you lose weight while eating yogurt, you won't become unhealthy, you won't lose weight drastically or use up your muscle mass.

By burcinc — On Jun 12, 2011

I also think that the pros and cons of a yogurt diet depends on the kind of yogurt you are having. If you were having yogurt one serving per day or once every couple of days maybe the type of yogurt would not be that important. But if you are having three serving everyday, you should definitely pay attention to what's in it. Otherwise, you might not be doing yourself a favor as you think.

I think the safest bet is to buy organic or yogurts made with milk from cows not treated with rBST. If you don't mind the flavor, plain yogurt is more beneficial than other kinds. It doesn't have any added sugars or sweeteners. You can flavor it with fresh fruits and honey yourself instead. That way you will know that you are having something completely natural and extra vitamins with the fruits.

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