This month we are focusing on the benefits of breakfast and one of our fav's is yoghurt. Ashleigh Fenton explains why it's so good.
Are you eating a food which gives your body a powerhouse of nutritional benefits? The food which can do this is the underrated yogurt. This food dates back as far as the Bible and the benefits can be said to be just as holy. Yogurt will give your body an amazing number of benefits including:
- Protein
Not just any protein but high biological value protein. This means it contains ALL the essential amino acids our body needs to build a protein.
- Calcium
Calcium is important for both keeping your bones strong as well as allowing your muscles to contract properly.
- Phosphorous
This mineral works with calcium to keep your bones and teeth strong.
- B vitamins
Yogurt gives your body B1 and B2. Both B vitamins are important to allow your body to break down carbohydrates. Yogurt is also a good source of vitamin B12 which is important for many functions including forming your red blood cells and keeping your central nervous system functioning well.
- Folate
An important B vitamin which is needed for DNA repair and synthesis.
- Magnesium
This mineral has many functions including regulating your nerve and muscle function and keeping your blood pressure and sugar levels in healthy ranges.
- Zinc
Zinc is important for keeping your immune function optimal. Zinc also helps wounds to heal and keeps your skin healthy.
What to Look for:
Be careful when selecting your yogurt. If you opt for a no fat version this can mean lots of added sugar. Check the label to make sure your variety of yogurt has no more than 15g/100g of added sugar and no more than 2g/100g of fat.
Additional benefits to this superfood:
Do you suffer from lactose intolerance? Research suggests the lactose in yogurt is better tolerated than the same amount of milk. Especially if you leave the yogurt in the fridge longer, closer to the ‘use by’ date which allows the probiotics in the yogurt to eat more of the lactose.
Probiotics are good bacteria which help your body in many ways including helping to maintain optimal immune function and gut health as well as to help absorption of nutrients into the body. On top of this probiotics have been linked to improvement to mental health and to decrease your risk of diseases like heart disease and diabetes.
Take home message: Take advantage of this nutrition powerhouse and try adding yogurt to your next smoothie, on top of your cereal at breakfast or simply enjoy as a delicious snack by itself.