Greek yogurt is an inexpensive, quick, and easy way to get protein into your diet—but it may be making you bloated, as well. Lactose, which is found in many dairy products, especially yogurt, milk, and ice cream, may give you a bloated belly if you are lactose intolerant3 .
If you're lactose intolerant, things like cheese, milk, and yogurt can cause you to feel bloated even if you only have a small amount. Try switching to plant-based products (like oat milk or vegan cheese) or lactose-free dairy products (like Lactaid).
One of the best probiotics, yogurt is packed with good bacteria that promote a healthy gut (and you need to keep those good bacteria happy all the time if you don't want bloating). Essentially, a healthy gut means less bloating. So if you're feeling gassy, go for some plain yogurt or Greek yogurt.
Like other dairy products, Greek yogurt contains natural hormones, which can be harmful to people with hormonal imbalances. The pasteurized and homogenized milk used in the yogurt can lead to histamine problems such as acne and eczema, as well as gastrointestinal problems for some people.
While it is safe to eat yogurt after its "Best if Used By/Before" or "Use-By" date, be sure to check that it's still fresh before consuming it. If your container of yogurt has any signs of spoilage, like a rancid smell or curdled texture, it's best to toss it out.
Consuming one to two cups of lowfat Greek yogurt daily can be a healthy addition to your diet without making it difficult to maintain your weight.
Even though dairy products are the major culprits of discomfort for some IBS sufferers, yogurt proves to be an exception. The live cultures in the yogurt break down the lactose, so it's less likely to cause gassy symptoms.
Yogurt is thought to reduce inflammation by improving the integrity of the intestinal lining. And, by bolstering this layer of tissue, endotoxins — produced by gut bacteria — cannot cross into the bloodstream and promote inflammation.
Your small intestine produces an enzyme called lactase to break this sugar down for digestion. When you don't have enough of this enzyme to digest lactose, you can experience abdominal discomfort and digestive issues after eating dairy products like milk, ice cream, yogurt, and cheese.
It's touted for its belly-calming probiotics, but certain types of yogurt could actually be doing you more harm than good. That's because dairy products contain varying levels of the sugar molecule lactose, which gets fermented in your body and creates gas bubbles and bloating, Greer says.
Even if yogurt does not make you sick, you may be lactose sensitive, and eating too much of it may cause bloating, cramps, or diarrhea. Yoghurt is a refrigerator staple due to its versatility.
Probiotics: The good bacteria can help you go.
Kimball says any yogurt — not just those that advertise they're good for gastrointestinal health — can be a good source of probiotics that help relieve constipation. “I usually look for a low-sugar Greek yogurt,” she says.
Like other dairy products, Greek yogurt contains natural hormones, which can be harmful to people with hormonal imbalances. The pasteurized and homogenized milk used in the yogurt can lead to histamine problems such as acne and eczema, as well as gastrointestinal problems for some people.
So, what's the difference? Greek yogurt has a much thicker consistency than regular yogurt because it is strained to remove the majority of the liquid whey, lactose, and sugar. Because straining removes some of the milk sugar, Greek yogurt can be easier to digest for people who are sensitive to lactose.
As a result of our authentic straining process, most Chobani® Greek Yogurt products contain less than 5% lactose per cup and Chobani® Greek Yogurt drinks contain less than 8% lactose per bottle.
If someone with IBS tolerates dairy products, plain and unsweetened Greek yogurt is a nutritious dietary addition. Greek yogurt contains live probiotics—bacteria that offer many health benefits, including for gut health. If you are lactose intolerant, you might still be able to enjoy Greek yogurt.
Chobani is naturally lower in lactose compared to many other dairy yogurts due to the straining and fermentation processes and the addition of an enzyme (lactase) to some products. This helps to digest any of the leftover high FODMAP sugar lactose, making it FODMAP friendly and easy on the tummy.
May support gut health
Greek yogurt that is labelled 'contains live cultures', provides beneficial bacteria known as probiotics, which when eaten regularly may support gut health.
If you're set on eating Greek yogurt for its higher protein content, look at the main ingredients — you want to see milk and live active cultures but not added protein like “whey concentrates” or thickeners like “modified corn starch.” Be sure it's free of added sugar, sweeteners, dyes and artificial flavors.
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.
While it's certainly worthwhile to eat yogurt as a healthy snack and a good source of protein, you're much better off getting your daily dose of probiotics from a quality supplement.