Greek Yogurt: A review

Greek Yogurt has become very popular over the past few years.  I see and hear questions about it all the time.  You know it’s getting popular when yogurt giants Yopliat and Dannon try their hand at it. So what’s the big deal?  Greek yogurt is simply regular yogurt that has been strained of whey, leaving a thicker, creamier product. Generally, it is naturally higher in protein and lower in carbs than regular yogurt.

It first came into my life when I was seeking an easy high protein, low carb, and low fat breakfast alternative. I started off eating Fage 0% plain and loved it right off the bat.  I don’t recall ever adding anything to it at first and just loved it plain.  I eat it about 4- 5 days a week and have for a few years now.  As you will see below, I won’t say this review isn’t biased towards Fage, as each other Greek I have tried has yet to compare, but I tried to give an honest review of how each one tastes.  I prefer Greek yogurt now, but will still eat regular yogurt as long as it is mostly natural, like Stonyfield.

Everyone looks for different things in their food, and has their own preferences based on taste and content.  To some organic is important, for others it’s natural ingredients.  Not all the following are organic and/or natural.  Another thing I noticed is the differing types and amounts of live cultures.  Again, decide what is important for you when choosing your yogurt!  I encourage you to try them out too, and let me know what you think.

The following is an overview of taste and price of some of the types of Greek yogurt found in my area.  (For those unfamiliar, Cub is a local supermarket such as Publix, Meijer, Hy-vee or Kroger).  Keep in mind this is my opinion only, and is not all encompassing.  I tried to stick to plain fat free varieties for some sort of consistency.  (Another reason is I am not really a fan of fruit chunks in my yogurt and tend to eat plain and vanilla flavors anyway.  It’s just a texture thing.)

I hope you will find this somewhat helpful when navigating the ever growing Greek yogurt shelves at your store.

Disclaimers: The prices listed were found in the past two weeks and I noted any discrepancies.  The best deal is underlined, but I am not known for my math skills(!), so I may have made a mistake in haste.  I am not in any way affiliated with any of the products/companies below. 

Chobani 0% and 2%, multiple flavors available
Byerlys: $1.39/6 oz.
Cub: $1.25/6 oz.
Super Target: $1.39/6 oz.
Whole Foods: $1.69/6 oz.  
(Also available in 3 flavor variety pack at Costco.  I will edit this for price next time I go.)

I really enjoyed Chobani 0% Vanilla.  It has a great nutrition profile and good ingredients for a flavored yogurt.  I have also tried the strawberry 0% flavor and it was good.  I was nervous about the fruit chunks, but it was actually a decent type of blended strawberry – not too chunky.  I had Mr.BKL try out the Chobani 2% Strawberry Banana…his first Greek yogurt experience.  He said “It’s really thick.  Like pudding.”  A man of few words, but he said he would eat it again.  (His biggest problem with any Greek is the cost.  But that is a different post for a different time! )

I have debated about getting the multi-pack from Costco, but like I said above, the extra carbs the sugars and fruit add aren’t something I need everyday, and fruit chunks in yogurt aren’t my thing. If I remember right it wasn’t necessarily cheaper then Fage 0% where I usually buy it.

 

 
Dannon Greek Vanilla
Byerlys: $1.39/5.3 oz

I didn’t find plain, so went with the vanilla.  It had a very artificial vanilla flavor, not at all natural.  It was okay, but not impressed with the ingredient list nor the taste.  It was better then the Yoplait, but for the price I would pick Chobani vanilla or Oikos first.  The plain flavor surprisingly only has milk and cultures listed as ingredients. Also available in strawberry, honey, and blueberry.  Pictured top right, nutrition facts and ingredients pictured above.

Fage 0% Plain
Byerly’s: $6.19/17.6 oz (couldn’t find plain this visit, but this is the approximate price I have seen in the past) 
Super Target: $1.79/6 oz.
Trader Joe’s: $1.79/6 oz., $4.29/17.6 oz.
Whole Foods: $4.99/17.6 oz., $7.69/35.3 oz.

Not sure if I can add to what I already said above about Fage 0%, but to me it’s the best.  It is just fine on it’s own, and lends itself well to additions.  I have added granola, Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Butter, honey, protein powder, and more.  Usually, I come back to just eating it plain. If you are big on your Fage 0% like I am, the best deal per ounce is the 135.3 oz./1000g size for $.21/oz. found at Whole Foods.  Occasionally it will be on sale for about $6.70, making it an even better deal. Trader Joe’s is a close second at $.24/oz.  Pictured top center.

Fage 2% Plain and Flavored (Honey, Strawberry, Peach) 
Byerlys: $2.17/6 oz.
Super Target: $1.69/6 oz.
Trader Joe’s: $1.79/6 oz.
Whole Foods: $1.99/6 oz., $4.99/17.6 oz.

I have only tried the strawberry and honey once each.  My main reason for only having tried them once is the 2% yogurt packs in a lot more calories and the flavor side car adds a lot of carbs.  I view this one as more of a treat then everyday thing – just my opinion.  That being said, the 2% is gooooood.  It is even thicker and creamier then 0% (obviously) and the mix-ins are heavenly.

 

Greek Gods Fat Free Plain
Byerlys: $1.99/6 oz., $5.99/24 oz.
Cub:  $1.79/6 oz., $5.79/24 oz.

Okay, I couldn’t even take two bites of this.  I hate throwing away food, but I wasn’t even able to stomach this one over the Yoplait which isn’t saying much.  It wasn’t as thick as any of the others, had a strange texture, and was just sour and bitter overall.  I looked up inulin and it is used as a sweetener.  Pectin is a thickening agent derived from citrus fruits. With this one, you barely get more protein then a non-Greek yogurt, so why spend the money on it?  You could get two other better tasting regular yogurts like Stonyfield for the same price.  Maybe the flavored varieties are better?  Cub carries 6 oz. sizes of pomegranate, fig, and honey.  Pictured top left, ingredients pictured above.

Oikos Fat Free Plain, Vanilla
Byerlys: $1.99/5.3oz., $4.99/16 oz.
Cub: $2.29/5.3 oz., $6.08/16 oz., $5.69 4 pack
Super Target: $4.49/16 oz.
Whole Foods: $2.19/5.3 oz., $5.39/16 oz., $5.39 4 pack

Oikos is the second best Greek in my opinion.  The main reason I have it being second to Fage is it’s not as thick.  It’s also slightly more expensive then Fage.  As for a flavored yogurt, Oikos Vanilla is the best by far.  I haven’t tried some of the new flavors like chocolate and caramel, but I am sure they are good, too.  I guess I would probably just add my own chocolate flavor via syrup or cocoa powder rather then buy the separate yogurt flavor.    

Trader Joe’s Organic Fat Free Vanilla, Honey, Plain
$1.69/5.3 oz.

I enjoy the vanilla in this brand.  It has a very natural flavor and nice thickness.  The plain is quite thick, and is a decent tasting option, especially if organic is important to you.  Pictured above on left, blurry (sorry!) ingredients and nutrition facts immediately above.

Trader Joe’s Fat Free Pomegranate, Blueberry, Honey 
$1.19/5.3 oz.

These are a nice flavored option.  The blueberry is very sweet and blended, so much to my delight, contains minimal fruit chunks.  A good choice overall. Pictured above on right, nutrition facts and ingredients for blueberry pictured immediately above.

Trader Joe’s Fat Free Plain
$2.99/16 oz.

Trader Joe’s Greek generally isn’t as thick as other Greek’s.  I was buying this for a while simply for cost reasons, but found myself always needing to add something to it.  It wasn’t always consistent taste wise – sometimes it was more sour then others.  Overall, it is still an economical option and if you are going to be adding flavor (honey, agave, granola, etc) this is a good bet.

Yoplait Plain Greek
Cub: $1.09/6 oz.

I was able to finish this one, but I am not sure why I did.  It wasn’t good.  It had a strange taste – sour and bitter and a little runny.  On the ingredient list are milk protein concentrate and kosher gelatin.  I am not a food scientist, but I am guessing the gelatin is for adding thickness.  I know gelatin is a no-no for most vegetarians, so if you are, it’s something to be aware of. This is also available in blueberry, strawberry, and vanilla.  I hope those flavors are better then the plain.

Below, some other types I haven’t tried, but wanted to mention:

Trader Joe’s Honey, Mango (full fat)
$1.29/6 oz (I think…forgot to write down the size!)

Voskos
Whole Foods: $2.49/8 oz.