Healthy Snacks in the Diet

Fitness products marketed as beneficial for individuals who value their figure are not necessarily health-promoting. The elimination of fat from yogurts reduces the absorption of calcium and fat-soluble vitamins. Therefore, it is advisable to select yogurts with a maximum of 1.5-2% fat content, not 0%. In addition, manufacturers often add sugar or glucose-fructose syrup to the product to enhance its flavor. These ingredients not only affect the caloric content of yogurt, but also substantially increase its glycemic index. Such a product elevates blood sugar levels faster than regular yogurt, causing us to feel hungry sooner and reach for other snacks more frequently. Special attention should be given to yogurts containing fruit. Manufacturers frequently add colorants, such as cochineal, beetroot, carrot, or nettle juice concentrate, to them. Although they impart a pleasant color to the product, they cannot substitute for actual fruit, which is a source of vitamins. It is preferable to purchase natural yogurt and add your favorite fruit to it. It is also worth noting the presence of thickening agents. Despite appearances, the smoother the yogurt, the worse it is for us. The natural phenomenon of yogurt separation is undesirable for manufacturers, who add emulsifiers and thickeners to modify its consistency. However, this is significantly worse in terms of nutritional value. Therefore, let us seek yogurt devoid of pectin, guar gum, gelatin, or magnesium phosphate. How then do we select a good yogurt? We should choose a product: - with the shortest possible ingredient list; - with probiotic bacteria; - with a minimum of 1.5% fat content; - without added sugar or glucose-fructose syrup; - without thickening agents; - opting for natural yogurt more often than fruity ones. We can add fresh fruit, nuts, or seeds to natural yogurt.