Yogurt has become synonymous with healthy drinks, and more and more people are enjoying it. However, many people still make mistakes when choosing yogurt at the supermarket, for example, believing that the thicker the yogurt, the better its quality. In fact, while thick yogurt has a smoother texture, its quality is not necessarily better.
The thickness of yogurt is not directly related to its nutritional value but is closely linked to its production method. Depending on the production method, yogurt is divided into set and stirred types. The traditional glass and ceramic bottle yogurts in our country are set yogurts, which have a thick texture. The fruit yogurts that people often drink are stirred types, which are relatively thin.
In reality, the nutritious set yogurt with a good texture is not better than stirred yogurt. Stirred yogurt has a fine texture, which is easier to digest. Some stirred yogurts add thickeners during production to increase their thickness. Common thickeners are gelatin and dietary fiber. Gelatin is a protein colloid that is easily absorbed by the body. Dietary fiber includes alginic acid, pectin, and plant seed gum, which aid digestion and are calorie-free, making them beneficial and harmless to the human body. Compared to set yogurt, stirred yogurt has better flavor and more comprehensive nutrition. However, some thickeners are dextrins and modified starches derived from starch hydrolysis. These types of thickeners are high in sugar and can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Therefore, thickness is not the standard for determining the quality of yogurt. When buying yogurt, first, carefully read the nutrition label to choose one with high protein content. Second, select the type based on your taste preference. Third, try to purchase products from well-known brands.