What's The Difference Between Greek Yogurt And Regular Yogurt?

Yogurt is a dairy product we're all very familiar with. Some people enjoy it plain, and some pair it with fruit, granola, nuts, or honey. It's often used in smoothies, salad dressings, savory dips, and even meat marinades. It's so versatile that it can be eaten as a frozen treat and even added to baked goods or desserts. But there are two main types of yogurt that we can choose between in the chilly dairy aisle: Greek or regular.

Most know that Greek yogurt is thicker and more tart, while regular yogurt has a thinner consistency and tends to be a little sweeter. But why do they taste the way they do? And aside from the taste and texture, what actually makes them different?

It all comes down to the way the yogurt is made, which affects not only its taste but also its nutritional profile. Once you know the difference, you might be reaching for a different brand than usual.

Yogurt may be the result of a happy accident, and we're pretty happy about that. According to MasterClass, yogurt is essentially thickened, fermented milk. There are certain probiotics — what many refer to as "good" bacteria — that are known to support both our digestion and immune system. These live cultures are a key element in making yogurt, and they're a big reason why it's so healthy. Basically, when you add this good bacteria to heated milk, it's able to bloom and multiply, leaving the milk with a much thicker consistency. It's at this point, once the milk is cultured and cooled, that we have regular yogurt.

Here's where the main difference lies between regular yogurt and Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt goes on to be strained (per Healthline). You take what starts as regular yogurt and strain it several times until it becomes an even thicker substance — one that's devoid of the whey that naturally exists in regular yogurt. This makes Greek yogurt more concentrated, which gives it a more sour taste and affects its overall nutritional makeup. 

As a result of the straining process, Greek yogurt has more protein and fewer carbs and sugars than regular yogurt. Meanwhile, regular yogurt has more calcium and often times fewer calories (via Healthline). If you go to the grocery store and make a side-by-side comparison of a nonfat plain Greek yogurt and a nonfat plain regular yogurt – let's take Fage and Danon for example — you'll notice the difference. The Fage Greek yogurt has double the amount of protein, half the amount of sugar, and less than half the amount of carbs, per the Fage website. While regular yogurt has significantly more calcium and half the cholesterol per serving, according to the Danon website.

That said, both types of yogurt offer similar health benefits — like digestive support, weight management, and a decreased risk of heart disease, per Healthline. We can thank the abundance of probiotics and protein that you'll find in their ingredients for those benefits. Both regular and Greek yogurt are great choices, and the preference between the two will likely come down to specific dietary needs you're looking to fill or whichever consistency and taste you prefer. 

One important thing to keep in mind is to read the yogurt label next time you choose. Yogurt made with whole milk has more fat and calories, and many yogurt brands pack in added sugar — which can have negative effects that outweigh the health benefits.