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Greek Yogurt for a No-Fat Luxury

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(NewsUSA) - In Greece, they call it "yiaourti" -- a strained yogurt with a thick, creamy texture. Americans might feel more inclined to call Greek yogurt "delicious" or "decadent."

But Greek yogurt only tastes sinful. The centuries-old straining process that removes the whey from the yogurt creates a lavish texture, while also removing some of the lactose, or milk sugar. This process thickens the yogurt without using gelatin or other thickeners.

The result? Rich yogurt that's low in calories and carbohydrates and high in protein. Greek yogurt typically contains twice the protein of unstrained yogurt. It has 120 calories or fewer, comes in a fat-free variety and contains up to 15 grams of protein per serving, making it appropriate for low-carb dieters.

But the health benefits don't stop at dieting. All yogurts contain at least two strains of cultures, but some Greek yogurts, such as Oikos Organic from leading organic yogurt-maker Stonyfield Farm, include three additional probiotic cultures, including L. acidophilus, Bifidus and L. Casei, which help strengthen immunity and enhance digestive health.

The traditional way to eat Greek yogurt is with honey, but it goes well with any topping. Stonyfield Farm Oikos Organic offers blueberry, honey, vanilla and plain flavors. Additionally, Greek yogurt can be used to replace high-fat ingredients like sour cream or mayonnaise in many recipes.

The folks at Stonyfield Farm offer this recipe for Greek Tzatziki Sauce, a refreshing topping that is great with pitas or delicious when used as a healthy vegetable dip:

Greek Tzatziki Sauce

1 cup Plain Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt
2 cucumbers
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tablespoon white vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Peel, seed and coarsely grate cucumbers. Drain and combine with garlic, vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. Blend in the yogurt. Refrigerate for 1 hour, then serve.

To learn more about Greek yogurt or to find more recipes, visit http://www.oikosorganic.com">http://www.oikosorganic.com.