A recent study added the metabolic syndrome, which is associated with Type 2 diabetes, to the list of health problems dairy products may protect against.
It has been found overweight people who consumed the most dairy products were approximately 70 percent less likely to develop the metabolic syndrome than those people who consumed few dairy products.
Unfortunately, dietary trends over recent years show people are substituting more sodas and processed snack foods for dairy products such as milk and yogurt.
One of the top foods prediabetics and Type 2 diabetics should be including in their diet on a day-to-day basis is yogurt.
When chosen properly, low-fat dairy products can be a perfect addition to a healthy diet plan.
They're a great source of protein, they provide some calcium, and they're relatively low in calories as well.
Did I mention they make for a great snack? Since you should be aiming to eat some protein with each meal and snack you consume, if you don't feel like going in for another chicken breast or piece of fish, yogurt can be a great option.
But you need to choose healthy.
Choose the wrong yogurt and you actually may have a diet nightmare on your hands.
Here's what to look for...
The Fat Content.
First, check out the fat content.
You will find many fat-free types of yogurt on the market today but be careful when going this route.
Sometimes fat-free is not all it's cracked up to be - which we will get to in a minute.
Ideally you want low-fat yogurt.
Something containing no more than 3 grams of fat per 100 calorie serving.
This will provide you with a little more hunger-busting power as well since the fat and protein combo can help to combat hunger pains.
The Sugar Content.
Next, you need to consider the sugar content.
This is the reason why opting for fat-free is not a wise move.
Very often 'fat-free' means 'sugar laden'.
You want to keep sugar out of your yogurt as best as possible, so always check for this.
Almost all yogurt will have some sugar in the form of natural milk sugar (lactose), but it should not have any added sugar.
If you are looking at a fruit flavored yogurt, chances are it does, so put that one back.
Opt for a plain yogurt and then add in your own fresh fruit instead to add more flavor.
The Additives.
Moving along, the last thing to consider are the additives.
Does the yogurt contain artificial sweeteners? If so, think twice on this one as well.
While these sweeteners may not provide any sugar or calories, they can actually increase your cravings for more sugar in your diet.
Plus many people will experience negative side effects from having them, so that's another reason to avoid artificial sweeteners.
So keep these points in mind as you choose your yogurt variety.
Choose wisely and you can rest assured you are eating a delicious and nutritious snack.
It has been found overweight people who consumed the most dairy products were approximately 70 percent less likely to develop the metabolic syndrome than those people who consumed few dairy products.
Unfortunately, dietary trends over recent years show people are substituting more sodas and processed snack foods for dairy products such as milk and yogurt.
One of the top foods prediabetics and Type 2 diabetics should be including in their diet on a day-to-day basis is yogurt.
When chosen properly, low-fat dairy products can be a perfect addition to a healthy diet plan.
They're a great source of protein, they provide some calcium, and they're relatively low in calories as well.
Did I mention they make for a great snack? Since you should be aiming to eat some protein with each meal and snack you consume, if you don't feel like going in for another chicken breast or piece of fish, yogurt can be a great option.
But you need to choose healthy.
Choose the wrong yogurt and you actually may have a diet nightmare on your hands.
Here's what to look for...
The Fat Content.
First, check out the fat content.
You will find many fat-free types of yogurt on the market today but be careful when going this route.
Sometimes fat-free is not all it's cracked up to be - which we will get to in a minute.
Ideally you want low-fat yogurt.
Something containing no more than 3 grams of fat per 100 calorie serving.
This will provide you with a little more hunger-busting power as well since the fat and protein combo can help to combat hunger pains.
The Sugar Content.
Next, you need to consider the sugar content.
This is the reason why opting for fat-free is not a wise move.
Very often 'fat-free' means 'sugar laden'.
You want to keep sugar out of your yogurt as best as possible, so always check for this.
Almost all yogurt will have some sugar in the form of natural milk sugar (lactose), but it should not have any added sugar.
If you are looking at a fruit flavored yogurt, chances are it does, so put that one back.
Opt for a plain yogurt and then add in your own fresh fruit instead to add more flavor.
The Additives.
Moving along, the last thing to consider are the additives.
Does the yogurt contain artificial sweeteners? If so, think twice on this one as well.
While these sweeteners may not provide any sugar or calories, they can actually increase your cravings for more sugar in your diet.
Plus many people will experience negative side effects from having them, so that's another reason to avoid artificial sweeteners.
So keep these points in mind as you choose your yogurt variety.
Choose wisely and you can rest assured you are eating a delicious and nutritious snack.