Can You OD on This Stuff?

My Favorite Snack

Don’t let my site fool you. I wasn’t always Ms. Clean Eater by any means. In grade school, Hostess Suzy Q’s or cupcakes were my favorite breakfast fare . . . that is, if my mom didn’t have one of her delectable baked goodies around like she usually did. In high school, I remember regularly noshing on tater tots and chocolate shakes for lunch. In college, oreo blizzards at 10:30pm were a regular snack. Hey, I was hungry after late night play rehearsals or study sessions. It wasn’t until as recently as a couple of years ago that I started to become fully aware of the benefits of clean eating. And now the more I know, the more I want to eat well.

One food item I cannot get enough of these days is FAGE.  Yogurt became a regular staple in my diet a couple years ago but it’s only been a couple months since I dived into the extra, ridiciously thick Greek yogurt style.  I’ve tried many brands and this one is definitely the tastiest.  It’s not as tart as others.  It’s the one brand that can stand alone plain without any added sweeteners or fruit.

Maybe it’s my replacement for ice cream (yes, I used to spoon ice cream right out of the container – my favorite time to do that was right after I brought it home from the grocery store when it was still semi-soft,  hmmmmmm heaven), maybe it’s my replacement for vanilla pudding (I used to love to make vanilla pudding and put cherry pie filling on top, OMG), maybe it’s my replacement for all things sweet.  Whatever it is . . . I’m satisfying my cravings while getting important nutrients at the same time.  And I mean it when I say I can’t get enough of this stuff.  It’s the first thing I grab when I open the fridge hungrily looking for a snack.  I MUST have at least one serving a day, although lately I’ve been known to have two.   I can’t help it – after having one serving a few hours before, I’ll peel open the cover of a second 6 ounce container just a wee bit . . . I’ll fully intend to just take a couple spoonfuls but WHAM . . . before I know it . . . I’m lustfully licking the whole container clean.  I guess there are much more unhealthy foods I could be binging on, right?

Did you know that Greek style yogurt contains more protein and less carbs per 8 0z serving?  Fage 0% contains 0g fat, 20g protein, 9g carb, and only 85mg of sodium.  Comparing Greek style to regular, StonyField Farm Organic fat free plain yogurt (not Greek Style) contains 0g fat, 11g protein, 16g carb, and 160mg of sodium.  StonyField is a great brand and is, in fact, my second favorite.  But ounce for ounce, we get more bang for our buck with the Greek version.  Higher levels of protein with lower carbs helps build and maintain muscle while lowering cholesterol levels.  This creamier yogurt contains casein – a slow digesting protein that will keep you fuller longer.  Like regular yogurt, it also contains active cultures that are linked to improving the immune system.  This means better digestion and less bloating, people.

The consistency of Fage Greek style yogurt is equivalent to sour cream.  This means it can be placed on potatoes, in dips, and in recipes that call for sour cream as a healthful alternative.  If eating plain yogurt just doesn’t appeal to you no matter what I tell you, try this GG healthful tip:  place 1/2 – 1 scoop of your favorite flavor whey protein into 8 ounces of Fage and mix.  Yummmm . . . you’ll have flavored yogurt without the unnatural additives or sugars.

Don’t get me wrong, I believe that indulging in ice cream or pudding or whatever your fancy once in a while is fine and in fact healthful.  You’ll then avoid the crazy binging overload by giving into your cravings once in a while.  Everything in moderation is the way to go.  Just keep Fage in mind for your everyday, eat clean diet and you’re digestive system will be thanking you. 

Grading Girl gives Fage an A for satisfying taste, beneficial nutrients, and practical replacement options.  Fage earns a B- for a slightly higher price than most yogurts (approx. $4 for two 6 ounce containers compared to $4 for one 32 ounce container of Stonyfield plain yogurt) . . . . but they say we get what we pay for.  I’ll just have to save my pennies by holding off on the sour cream and mayonnaise on my grocery list.

Now, if you’ll excuse me . . . I think it’s time for my second serving of Fage today!!!

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