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Fermented milk drinks
Fermented milk drinks are a great source of nutrients and probiotics (i.e. live beneficial bacteria). They have been associated with numerous health benefits, including gut health. Fermented milk drinks People started fermenting milk to extend its shelf life. Later, they discovered that fermentation also made milk safer to consume, more digestible and healthier (1). Types of fermented milk drinks Fermented milk drinks available in Australia include: Dairy kefir Kefir is a drink made from milk which is fermented by a mixture of bacteria (both lactic and acetic acid) and yeast. The chemical composition of kefir depends on several variables, including the type of milk used to produce it. Common substrates…
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Recipe: Strawberry, rosemary and pistachio parfait
If you don’t have a super sweet tooth (like me, wink wink) this strawberry, rosemary and pistachio parfait might be the perfect dessert for you. It is not only a looker but also super easy to make. This treat is gluten-free, vegetarian-friendly and super healthy. You’ll get calcium, protein and probiotics from the yoghurt, vitamin C, fibre and lycopene from the strawberries and a bit more protein and fibre, as well as healthy fats from the pistachios. The rosemary doesn’t only contribute to flavour but also provides a small amount of antioxidants.
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Dairy-free yoghurt
Is “dairy-free yoghurt” an oxymoron? If you’re of the opinion that nut/legume milk is not milk, then maybe you think dairy-free yoghurt cannot be called yoghurt. However, if you think that the bacteria defines the food, then yeah, making yoghurt out of soy/almond/coconut milk qualifies as yoghurt. Lastly, if you prefer looking at nutritional content, you might be against this nomenclature. Read on and find out. What is yoghurt According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, yoghurt (or yogurt) is “a fermented slightly acid often flavored semisolid food made of milk and milk solids to which cultures of two bacteria (Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus) have been added”. (1) Oxford dictionary…
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Product review: Siggi’s Icelandic-style yoghurt
Siggi’s Icelandic-style yoghurt entered the market recently, following the steps of Woolworths skyr and Nudie Icelandic yoghurt. About Siggi’s Icelandic-style yoghurt The back of the label tells us about how Siggi (the person) began making yoghurt and the characteristics of the product. Skyr is strained yoghurt, making it more concentrated than regular yoghurt. The range is currently available in 0.5% (plain and flavoured) and 4% fat yoghurt (flavoured). Health claims The lid announces “more protein than sugar per tub”, which it’s to be expected of all yoghurts, in my opinion. The label claims “simple ingredients, not a lot of sugar”, “all natural”, as well as no stevia, aspartame, sucralose, gelatin,…
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Is dairy good for you?
Dairy products and alternatives constitute one of the five food groups in the Australian Dietary Guidelines. “Alternatives” are included in this group because there is an increasing number of people who cannot or choose not to consume foods derived from animal milk. Is dairy good for you? As it’s often the case, it depends. What is dairy? Dairy products is the name given to milk and products made from milk of animals such as cows, goats and sheep. This includes fermented milk products such as yoghurt, kefir and cheese. While cream, ice cream and butter are technically dairy products, they should not be consumed on a regular basis. Nutrients in…
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Product review: Woolworths Skyr
Woolworths Skyr is a yet another choice in the ever-expanding fermented dairy section. But what is it? Is it yoghurt? What is skyr Skyr is a fermented dairy product, similar in consistency and taste to yoghurt but technically classified as cheese. It is a traditional food in Scandinavia, having originated in Norway and expanded to Iceland. It is often consumed with porridge, jam, fruit, fish or cereals (1). With the raising popularity of Nordic cuisine, local dairy manufacturers have started producing skyr (or skyr-style products). Apparently, skyr must be made with Icelandic cows milk and skyr cultures (1). Following these criteria, Woolworths Skyr is not skyr. Perhaps that is why…
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Product review: YoPRO high protein yoghurt
YoPRO is one of the latest additions to the ever-growing yoghurt section of most supermarkets. As I mentioned in my Mayver’s Protein+ Peanut Butter review, at the moment many consumers are looking for high protein products to suit their lifestyles. While all yoghurts are a source of complete protein, YoPRO’s selling point is the high content of protein per serve (15g-17g) achieved by the straining step during production. What’s in YoPRO? Apart from milk and live yoghurt cultures, YoPRO also contains lactase (the enzyme that breaks down lactose), making it suitable for people with lactose intolerance. All the fruit flavours (mango, passionfruit, strawberry, blueberry) contain actual fruit purée and all…
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Product review: CO YO coconut yoghurt
CO YO, the wonderful company making coconut yoghurt available for those who can’t tolerate dairy (or choose not to have it), has been around for a while but has been recently trying to expand their reach. Their yoghurts are vegan and free of dairy, soy, gluten, lactose, and added sugar. They have quite a few varieties that come in tubs from 250g up to 1k. All flavours contain organic coconut milk (88% in the fruit varieties, 98% in the plain and chocolate), starch (tapioca, pectin), stevia and live vegan cultures including Lactobacillus casei, L. rhamnosus, L. acidophilus, L. bulgaricus, Bif. bifidum, Bif. lactis, and S. Thermophilus. Note: I’m not quite…
