The Delicious Power of Yogurt

By Lauren Wilson
April 17, 2011
Credit: Tina Rupp
Yogurt is not just for snack time anymore! Check out the health benefits of this nutritional powerhouse, and enjoy these 19 tasty ways to add its natural goodness to your family's diet.
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Yogurt: A Delicious and Nutritious Ingredient

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Yogurt is perhaps one of the most popular kitchen staples among families with children, and for good reason! Modern packaging makes it a convenient and quick snack item, and tasty, kid-friendly flavors makes it a great way to fit dairy into your child's diet.

But yogurt has much more to offer than simple convenience. It's a nutritional powerhouse that boasts plenty of calcium and phosphorus, two nutrients vital to bone growth and strength.

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Credit: Denise Crew

Yogurt can also improve digestive health. Many types contain live active cultures, which are beneficial bacteria that are believed to improve nutrient absorption, beef up immune systems, and enhance digestion. These bacteria can also inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria.

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Aside from its impressive health benefits, yogurt is also a smart ingredient to use for its other qualities. Swapping low-fat or fat-free yogurt in for higher calorie items such as cream or mayonnaise creates a healthier dish without sacrificing flavor or texture.

Here are some creative ways to incorporate the creamy goodness of yogurt into your family's next meal. Their tummies (and taste buds) will thank you.

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Sneak it in a Cake Recipe

Credit: Tina Rupp
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Adding yogurt to a cake recipe, such as this one for Moist Lemon Cake, makes for a velvety smooth dessert.

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Use it as a Sandwich Condiment

Credit: Paula Hible

Replacing high-calorie mayo with yogurt on a sandwich, such as Eamonns R.L.T., allows you to cut the fat and keep the tangy flavor.

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Make a Sauce for Shrimp

Credit: Yunhee Kim
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Yogurt can be used as a base for a cool, creamy sauce to complement the freshness and and saltiness of lemony shrimp.

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Layer it in a Parfait

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Layering yogurt between tasty granola and fruit, as in this Sunrise Parfait, makes for a sweet breakfast treat.

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Puree it into Baby Food

Credit: Alexandra Grablewski
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This yummy Curry Pea Baby Food gets its richness from the addition of yogurt. Introducing new flavors early on may help your baby to develop good eating habits. Check with your pediatrician, but most babies can digest yogurt by 6 months.

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Blend it into a Smoothie

Mixing fresh fruit with yogurt in a smoothie is a clever way to add natural sweet flavor without adding excess sugar.

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Top a Soup or Chili

Credit: Rita Maas
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Warm soup or chili, such as this Easy Black Bean Soup, gets a refreshing twist when topped with yogurt instead of sour cream.

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Freeze it into a Healthy and Fun Dessert

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Putting yogurt in the freezer does not affect its nutritional wallop. It's a fun and delectable alternative to packaged ice-cream pops!

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Make a Delicious Dipping Sauce

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Yogurt's tang makes it a zippy dip for a variety of items, such as these Black Bean Risotto Cakes.

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Lemon-Poppyseed Muffins

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You can't beat the classic flavor combination of lemon and poppyseed. This treat will stay extra moist because of the addition of yogurt to the batter.

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Have it at Breakfast (And Not The Way You Think!)

Credit: Tina Rupp
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These flapjacks have a secret: There's yogurt right in the batter! This makes for super nutritious pancakes with a moist yet fluffy texture.

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Sub it for Whipped Cream

Credit: Paula Hible
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You won't miss the calories when you use yogurt as a topping instead of whipped cream. You get lots of flavor with a fraction of the fat.

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Try a Tart

Credit: Tina Rupp
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A bright dessert that's good for you, too! Fresh berries and yogurt are a wholesome way to please your sweet tooth.

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Mix Up a Marinade

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Marinating proteins in yogurt is an amazing way to tenderize and lock in moisture. We promise you this Tandoori Chicken will be extra juicy. Serving with a yogurt-based sauce known as raita is an appetizing way to add even more of the goodness of yogurt into your family's diet.

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Make a Cheesecake

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Break from tradition, and add a bit of nutrition to a dessert classic.

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Whip up a Creative Snack

Here's a simple yet creative way to get your kids excited about snack time. Adding yogurt and fruit to their favorite packaged Teddies will create a wholesome and balanced treat.

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Make a Pasta Sauce

Credit: Monica Buck
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Who doesn't love pasta with cream sauce? Your family will get a probiotic punch of flavor with this 'Shroom Spaghetti.

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Use It in a Dressing

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Yogurt is a lifesaver to those who love creamy salad dressings. The one in this Grilled Moroccan Style Salad complements the healthy veggie ingredients without pouring on the fat.

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Shake up Jell-O

Credit: Tina Rupp

Regular Jell-O gets a healthy punch of flavor when yogurt is added. The creaminess plays up the tart fruitiness of the gelatin.

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