Category Archives: Healthy Living

Greek Yogurt by Voskos is a very healthy addition to your daily diet because of its natural source of protein and probiotics. Learn more about how to incorporate Voskos Greek Yogurt into a healthy lifestyle.

Probiotics in Yogurt Linked to Weight Loss in Harvard Study

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Want to lose weight…and keep it off as you age? A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests a link between yogurt and weight loss. The study, conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health, quizzed over 120,000 nurses and other health workers about their dietary habits over the course of many years. The goal was to discover what impact diet had on weight over time.

Consumption of two foods—nuts and yogurt—were most closely correlated with weight loss, according to Walter Willett, one of the study’s co-authors. Interviewed on National Public Radio, Willett noted that the active probiotic cultures in yogurt may be responsible for yogurt’s weight loss powers. “There has been a lot of work in recent years on how the types of bacteria in our colon influence our state of inflammation and weight gain. So it may well be that the healthy bacteria in the yogurt are helping change the mix of bacteria in the colon and influencing weight.”

VOSKOS® Greek Yogurt is made with a mix of beneficial probiotic cultures, including Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidus, and Lactobacillus casei. “In a healthy person, the population of good (healthy) bacteria in the gut outnumbers the numbers of bad (pathogenic) bacteria,” says registered dietician Janet R. Mertz, MS, RD, CDE, CPT., a contributor to VOSKOS® Greek Yogurt’s “What’s Fresh” blog. “Consuming VOSKOS® Greek Yogurt helps support a healthy blend of bacteria in the digestive system.”

Willett also noted that fat content in foods did not mean that the food itself was fattening. “But eating foods that keep us satisfied is really going to be important in the long run.”

That “satisfaction factor” is one reason Greek yogurt has been called a “superfood” when it comes to losing weight, says Mertz. “Greek yogurt is a great weight loss food because of its high calcium and protein levels,” she says “Studies show that protein takes longer to digest, and is more satisfying, than ‘empty’ carbohydrates. You feel full longer after you’ve enjoyed a serving of Greek yogurt. And that may keep you from snacking on other, higher-calorie foods.”

VOSKOS® Greek Yogurt has been recognized in awards contests presented by Fitness magazine, Women’s Health, Vegetarian Times, Natural Solutions, Self Magazine and Cooking Light magazine. It is also a triple gold winner of the 2010 Los Angeles International Dairy Competition.

100 Ways You Flavor It: VOSKOS® Plain Greek Yogurt

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I happen to love plain Greek yogurt. In fact, the first time I tasted VOSKOS® Original Plain, I was hooked. It tasted like sour cream, only better, because it was less fatty and easier on my tummy. The low fat version was also amazing – creamy, velvery and full of flavor. The biggest surprise was VOSKOS® Plain Nonfat, because – based on previous yogurt experiences – I expected it to taste like cardboard. Again, a pleasant surprise – thanks to the special straining process, even VOSKOS® Nonfat is tasty, all by itself.

As much as I love plain yogurt, I was curious about adding flavor to the yogurt. I like the idea of starting out with a super-clean product, and adding just the amount of flavor/sweetener I need. This gives me full control of what goes into my (and my children’s) body.

So I started experimenting, adding different flavors to my beloved plain VOSKOS®, including honey (my favorite topping to this day), PB2, Nutella when I feel like indulging, olive oil, garlic and grated cucumber to make a tzatziki, and more.

When it occurred to me, one spring morning a few weeks ago, to reach out to our amazing Facebook fans and ask for their recommendations on what to add to plain VOSKOS®, I never expected to receive close to 100 suggestions! But I did. of course, the next logical step is to preserve all these wonderful, mouthwatering suggestions in a blog post – we don’t want them to get lost inside Facebook.

So here you go – 100 ways to flavor plan Greek yogurt. Most of them from our fans, with a few additions by yours truly.

1. Warm homemade apple butter. We call this ‘ice cream’. -Andrea Ragan

2. Cherries & chopped pecans -Sheryl Edwards

3. Fresh Cut up Mango w/ a dollup of honey! -Heather Perkins

4. Chopped walnuts. -Kathy Pearlman

5. Cherries and honey flavored Teddy Grahams!! -Michelle Moorman Caves

6. Applesauce – adds the perfect amount of sweet. -Emily Paavola

7. A little drizzle of honey and slivered almonds…my breakfast every morning! -Alisa Prussia

8. Raisin bran! -Mary Lou Muller

9. Dark Chocolate Chips and granola. -Ward W Bond

10. Granola, salted peanuts are my faves. -Deana Eicher Watson

11. Hamburger meat! – adding a 6oz plain VOSKOS® greek yogurt to a 1-2 lb mixture of raw ground beef and spices makes the absolute BEST hamburgers! -Bethany McGhehey

12. Morrison Pomegranate!! Mmmmmmm! -Gina Spangler

13. Apple butter is great in the plain! -Anna Fergus

14. Mix one cup of plain VOSKOS® yogurt with half tablespoon of horseradish, cover and put in fridge. Use this mixture to top veggies or meat for dinner! We like to top our zucchini boats. Slice length wise and hollow out zucchini, brown ground turkey and zucchini flesh, add chopped onion, red bell pepper, and minced garlic. Stuff zucchini and bake util tender. Top with horseradish yogurt mixture and you have yourself a healthy meal! – Heather Drew

15. Fresh strawberries -Cassie Ailstock

16. Unsweetened cocoa powder and two packets of truvia for a healthy fake chocolate pudding. If you really want to go all out add a tiny dot of peppermint extract for a mock girl scout cookie taste. YUMMY! -Sharon Chambers Hubbert

17. One cup of yogurt, one Tbsp of cocoa powder, that is, and two packets of truvia. -Sharon Chambers Hubbert

18. Ground Golden Flaxseed or wheat germ with blueberries. -Diane Hatton *

19. Coconut would be soooo awesome! – Lauren Ornelas

20. Cucumber, garlic, dill and white wine vinegar and use as dressing. -Rebecca MacLean

21. I had the honey vanilla bean and crushed some Nature Valley oats n honey granola bar in it for breakfast. Yummmm – Brandy Collins

22. Almond butter and frozen blueberries! My breakfast every morning. – Jessica Ahner

23. Every day instead of ice cream I mix mine with whole blueberries and dark chocolate chips!! – Sandra Pierce Hersey

24. The best breakfast recipe I like is the one with oatmeal ,skim milk, and Voskos plain and let stay overnight to be eaten next morning with drizzled honey. – Joseph Bica

25. Blueberries and Splenda. -Patricia James

26. Drizzled with pure maple syrup, with pecans. – Patricia James

27. A super food for a super food…. how about some chia seeds? – Frank Peshick

28. Cantalope and agave. Yum. – Cynthia Mammenga

29. Granola! -Anne Hill

30. Raspberries & Coconut & Chocolate Chips YUMMY!! – Karriann Meister Shinkaruk

31. Mango works for me! -Robert Douds

32. Strawberries! – Wanda Lundy, Kelly Warfield

33. How about scraping the seeds of a vanilla bean into the plain yogurt? Oh man is that wonderful! Drop on a spoonful of caramel ice cream topper and you have a sinfully yummy feast! – Julie Greene

34. Added it on top of my veggie egg-white omelet with some salsa, and had one of those awesome choc. chip muffins you posted the recipe for a few days ago. So much breakfast happiness today! – Lynn Gleason

35. Add an apple! yum! -Teresa Wynne Waite

36. Honey and bananas. – Leela Oconnor

37. Apples & caramel. Oh man! – Julie Greene

38. Blueberries. – Jen Gamble, Holly Palmeter, Lesley Cumby Geren, Jennifer Kezele

39. Back to Nature Wild Blueberry granola! – Jill Parker

40. Peanut butter and honey -Tammie Quinton

41. I added strawberries, kiwi, milk, and ice to mine and made a delicious smoothie! – Amanda J. Gray

42. Fresh strawberries topped with a little granola. – Peggy Bell

43. Fresh sliced strawberries with some granola and maybe throw in some slivered almonds. -Erin McMurry Herbrich

44. Enjoying mine this afternoon with falafel and humus – Diana Nunes

45. Granola. – JoAnne Casler York

46. I add dressing mix to make a yummy and healthy veggie dip! – Jennifer Meyer

47. Add some honey and granola or walnuts! – Jennifer Meyer

48. Pecans and blueberries. – Dawn Kelly

49. I am enjoying mine with strawberries that I picked yesterday! I also add homemade granola. YUMMY! – Wendula Edwards Hildreth

50. We put in fresh blackberries! – Carin Misterly

51. Until I finally get around to making my own granola, my favorite mix-in is craisins and flax seed. Super yummy, a little crunch, and sooo healthy, especially for the digestive system. – Sarah Cutler Rodriguez

52. Strawberries and granola. – Mari Charnock

53. Peaches! – Cynthia Brand

54. Any kind of berry…strawberry, blackberry, raspberry, blueberry, or a nice mix of all of them! – Jennifer Scott

55. Raspberries and granola! -Annabeth Jackson Dugger

56. I like to stir in a sprinkle of cinnamon and a small handful of walnuts to my VOSKOS® Plain. :) – Kim Hawkes

57. My seven year old would say a little bit of honey & some chopped up kiwi! – Heather Mathess

58. Honey, bananas, apples and cinnamon. – Pj Keck Hansen

59. Fresh berries:) – Kristen Evans

60. I like to add Cinnamon Cheerios! – Jayme Jeane

61. Love my VOSKOS® with a drizzle of honey and chopped walnuts. – Christy Ogle

62. Granola &/or silvered almonds sounds really good right about now. – Lesley Cumby Geren

63. Fresh blueberries or strawberries – Debbie Haas

64. A packet of Stevia, a teaspoon of vanilla, and a teaspoon of peanut butter…it’s FABULOUS! – Shelley Henderson Hubbard

65. Chopped up dried pineapples & sunflower seeds. – Lisa Zoe

66. Frozen blueberries, a little OJ and milk. Blend for a great morning shake. – Lisa Campos Lanphear

67. Honey, flax, chopped walnuts, and diced kiwi with coconut flakes = to die for! – Kristina Cooke

68. Agave and cinnamon! Yum! -Kathleen Blythe

69. I love my VOSKOS® plain, no need to put no extras on it! :) -Alicia Garner

70. Just a sprinkle of cinnamon! Yummy! – Brenda Kathryn Jackson-Royer

71. Fresh strawberries…I do it daily. Yum – Jena Marie Powers

72. Just as it is!! But my fav is adding a ripe banana and some cashews. – Debbie Pacheco Oppie

73. Chocolate chips – Stephanie Marquis

74. Honey.

75. PB2 or Chocolate PB2. Mix straight into your VOSKOS® – no need to add water. But add the powder gradually, and mix well!

76. Drizzled with honey and topped with a crumbled muffin or blueberry muffin.

77. Mixed with olive oil, vinegar, garlic and salt and used as a dip.

78. Mixed with any cereal instead of milk – less sugary and MUCH more filling!

79. Mixed with a little cinnamon sugar and used as a dip for apple slices.

80. Pureed fruit – any ripe fruit works.

81. Nutella. Indulgent…but better than Nutella on white bread!

82. Fresh pineapple, or canned pineapple, including some of the juice.

83. Pistachios, and drizzled with honey. An interesting creamy/crunchy + sweet/salty combination.

84. Mixed with chocolate whey protein.

85. PB&J yogurt: mix natural peanut butter and Real Fruit spread into your plain VOSKOS®.

86. Jam.

87. A packet of Stevia and some almond extract.

88. Raisins.

89. Frozen grapes.

90. Mix garlic powder, or curry powder, into yogurt and use it as a vegetable dip.

91. Sesame seeds and a dash of sesame oil.

92. Strawberries and balsamic vinegar.

93. Cocoa powder, a bit of sugar and almond extract.

94. Mango or papaya.

95. Mixed with sugar free vanilla pudding mix, for a rich and creamy vanilla yogurt.

96. Pumpkin butter and cinnamon.

97. Sugar Free Torani coffee or chocolate syrup.

98. Make a dip for chips or for veggies using fat-free refried beans, salsa and VOSKOS® plain yogurt, sprinkled with chopped cilantro.

99. Mix with mashed ripe avocado, lime and spices for a creamy guacamole.

100. Dried cranberries, honey, a little brown sugar and pecans.

How VOSKOS® Helps Lactose Intolerants Fight Osteoporosis

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As the Baby Boom generation ages, osteoporosis—a disorder where bones become porous and lose density and strength—is becoming a serious threat. The National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that by 2020, over 60 million Americans will suffer from osteoporosis and low bone mass.

“And that’s a problem, because osteoporosis is such a big risk factor for hip fractures,” says registered dietician, Janet R. Mertz, MS, RD, CDE, CPT. Her suggestion? Add Greek yogurt to your diet. “It offers a good source of calcium and is even safe for those who are lactose intolerant. In fact, a serving of VOSKOS® Plain Non-Fat Greek yogurt includes 20% of the recommended daily value of calcium,” explains Mertz.1

People who have problems digesting dairy products are more likely to suffer from calcium deficiencies, which raises their risk of osteoporosis. 2 According to Mertz, “Look for authentic Greek yogurt. The straining process is found in authentic Greek yogurt whereby excess whey and casein are removed. This method yields less sugar, carbohydrates, and lactose so those who are lactose intolerant can truly enjoy Greek yogurt.”

Mertz, a nutritionist who specializes in geriatrics nutrition and healthy aging, adds, “After menopause, women tend to lose bone mass at an accelerated rate, which can lead to fractures and the inability to be as active as we would prefer.” One study showed that forty percent of hip fracture patients are unable to walk independently, and six in ten still need help walking a year later. 3 “But hip fractures aren’t just painful and debilitating—they can increase mortality rates by up to 20% in the first year after a hip fracture,” says Mertz. According to some studies, there may be a greater risk of dying for up to five years afterwards.4

The higher protein content of VOSKOS® Greek yogurt also makes it a good choice for fighting osteoporosis. One study of the elderly showed that a higher dietary protein intake was associated with a lower rate of age-related bone loss.5 “VOSKOS® Greek Yogurt is my choice because it has up to 24 grams of protein per serving, which means twice as much protein as traditional yogurt,” shares Mertz.

“Greek yogurt has a thick consistency, plus you can make it as sweet as you like,” says Mertz. “My favorite is VOSKOS® Plain Non-Fat Greek yogurt. Add some fruit, your choice of ‘sweetener’, and maybe top it off with some granola and you have a great dessert or morning meal.” More Greek yogurt recipes are available at Voskos.com.

VOSKOS® Greek Yogurt has been recognized in food contests presented by Self, Fitness, Women’s Health, Vegetarian Times, Natural Solutions, and Cooking Light magazine. It is also a triple gold winner of the 2010 Los Angeles International Dairy Competition.

# # #

References

1. NOF (2002) America’s bone health: the state of osteoporosis and low bone mass in our nation.

2. Obermayer-Pietsch BM, Bonelli CM, Walter DE, et al. (2004) Genetic predisposition for adult lactose intolerance and relation to diet, bone density, and bone fractures. J Bone Miner Res 19:42.

3. Leibson CL, Tosteson AN, Gabriel SE, et al. (2002) Mortality, disability, and nursing home use for persons with and without hip fracture: a population-based study. J Am Geriatr Soc 50:1644.

4. Magaziner J, Lydick E, Hawkes W, et al. (1997) Excess mortality attributable to hip fracture in white women aged 70 years and older. Am J Public Health 87:1630.

5. Hannan MT, Tucker KL, Dawson-Hughes B, et al. (2000) Effect of dietary protein on bone loss in elderly men and women: the Framingham Osteoporosis Study. J Bone Miner Res 15:2504.

VOSKOS® Greek Yogurt: Your Weight Loss Secret for Summer

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Need to lose weight you gained over the winter? Clinical research proves that a reduced-calorie diet that includes yogurt can encourage fat loss.

It’s swimsuit season again all over America. That means many Americans are seeing our “winter” body for the first time since 2010—and we’re not happy.

“An easy, stress-free way to help lose weight you gained over the winter is to incorporate Greek yogurt into your diet,” says Grothe. “VOSKOS®’ Web site includes dozens of Greek yogurt recipes for low-carbohydrate breakfasts, appetizers, entrees and snacks.”

Several scientific studies have linked weight loss with yogurt consumption, says Grothe. “Greek yogurt has been called a ‘fat-fighting food’ because of its high calcium and protein content. Plain Greek yogurt is also very low in carbohydrates, making it diabetic-friendly.” And a diet that includes yogurt can help target a common “problem area”—belly fat. A study published in the International Journal of Obesity showed that dieters on a high-calcium yogurt lost 81% more belly fat than dieters on a low-calcium diet.

Grothe’s choice? Plain Greek yogurt from VOSKOS®, made by California’s family-owned Sun Valley Dairy.

“A 227 gram (8 oz) serving of plain non-fat VOSKOS® Greek Yogurt contains 24 grams of protein. That’s half of the DV.”

When you add Greek yogurt from Voskos to your summer weight loss strategy, you don’t feel deprived, says Grothe. “A 227 gram (8 oz) serving of VOSKOS® Plain Non-fat Greek Yogurt contains 24 grams of protein—that’s half the recommended daily value. The protein in VOSKOS® Greek Yogurt helps you feel satiated because it takes longer to digest than carbohydrates. If you feel full longer, you’re less likely to graze on junk food.”

VOSKOS® Greek Yogurt has been recognized in awards contests presented by Fitness magazine, Women’s Health, Vegetarian Times, Natural Solutions, Self Magazine and Cooking Light magazine. It is also a triple gold winner of the 2010 Los Angeles International Dairy Competition.

VOSKOS® Greek Yogurt Can Help You Fight Belly Fat

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Could Greek Yogurt be the best new way to lose belly fat?

Women and men alike hate belly fat—it ruins the look of slinky knits, and makes slacks hard to fit. But belly fat isn’t just unattractive; it’s hazardous to your health. Abdominal fat dramatically increases risks of premature death, according to studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine and Circulation. Other studies link belly fat to diabetes, osteoporosis, breast cancer, and migraines in women.

“Luckily, there’s a delicious way to help blast away belly fat—Greek yogurt,” says Jenny Grothe, who, prior to becoming a professional figure builder, was an average 37 year old who went from a size 14 to a 4 in one year and has kept it off since. “VOSKOS® Greek Yogurt makes it easy for both men and women to include more high-protein, high-calcium dairy foods in their diet,” says Grothe, “and these are the kinds of foods that have been linked to belly fat reduction.”

Why Greek yogurt? “The body actually burns more calories digesting protein than carbohydrates,” says Grothe. “And protein takes longer to digest, so it helps you feel satiated longer. Greek yogurt has about twice as much protein per serving than regular yogurt, and that helps make Greek yogurt a ‘fat-fighting food,’ according to the popular health website WebMD.com.”

The best news for fighting belly fat? Grothe offers, “A study published in the International Journal of Obesity showed that dieters on a high-calcium yogurt lost 81% more belly fat than dieters on a low-calcium diet. That’s about three servings of yogurt per day.

“There is a growing body of research that points to the health benefits of a diet that includes Greek yogurt,” adds Grothe. “And with VOSKOS® Greek Yogurt—available in organic, low-fat, non-fat and regular varieties, in flavors like Exotic Fig, Honey, Blueberry, and Vanilla Bean—you can eat healthy without feeling deprived.” A 227 gram (8 ounce) serving of Plain Non-Fat VOSKOS® Greek Yogurt contains 24 grams of protein, and only 9 grams of carbohydrates, which is also important for those who are counting carbs in an effort to lose weight.

Eat VOSKOS® Greek Yogurt, Get Better Looking Skin!

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How your skin looks depends on many factors, including your age, gender, genetics, and how well you take care of your skin. Most of us know by now that strict avoidance of smoking and the daily use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen are a must for a healthy skin.

But an often-overlooked aspect of maintaining a good skin is our diet. What we eat and drink does affect how our skin looks. Here are a few tips for helping your skin look its best:

1. Stay hydrated. Adequately hydrated skin cells reward us with enhanced health, increased energy, and a radiant complexion. Dehydrated skin over a period of time can become dry and wrinkled.

2. Minimize alcohol consumption. Alcohol will make you dehydrated and could make your skin look dull and lifeless.

3. Avoid saturated fats, but don’t avoid fats altogether. In fact, healthy fats, such as the omega-3 fatty acids, are incredibly important and may help to prevent dry, patchy skin. Studies have found that people whose diets were high in these fatty acids had less skin wrinkling than those with diets high in saturated fats.

4. Get enough protein. Foods high in protein, such as VOSKOS® Non-Fat Greek Yogurt, are good for our skin because we need protein to repair our cells. Women in particular often do not have protein-adequate diets, and this can result in accelerated aging.

5. Get enough B Vitamins. Deficiencies in B vitamins, particularly B6, B12, biotin and niacin can cause dermatitis, skin hypersensitivity, and dry skin. B vitamins are found in whole grain, green leafy vegetables, meats, fish, eggs and milk.

6. Get plenty of vitamin C. Vitamin C is a powerful anti oxidant, and a necessary component in the formation of collagen.

7. Want to combine as many of these nutrients as possible in a single meal? Mix 8 oz VOSKOS® Greek Yogurt with a cup of fresh berries and a handful of walnuts, and accompany your meal with a tall glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. This meal is low in saturated fats and high in protein, omega 3 fatty acids, calcium and vitamin C.

8. Eating VOSKOS® Greek Yogurt has an added bonus: it contains five live and active multibacterial strains, which means that each 100 gram serving of VOSKOS® Greek Yogurt contains billions of live and active bacterial bases. These help maintain gut flora and boost immune system functioning and nutrient absorption, all essential to a healthy skin and body.