Health Benefits of Fresh Homemade Yoghurt For Breakfast

Yoghurt is healthy and wholesome for the whole family. To enjoy the optimal benefits of yoghurt, live and active cultures need to be present. Cultures have a short life, which is why freshly homemade yoghurt is the best way to ensure you will gain the full health benefits.

How is yoghurt made?

Milk is fermented by lactic acid bacteria (cultures; Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus). The milk proteins coagulate and set to form a thickened, acid food to which we know as “yoghurt”.

What are live and active cultures?

The words “live and active cultures” refer to the living organisms – Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis. These beneficial bacterias are naturally present in the gut, manufacturing rich nutritional properties and positive functional components.

Benefits of cultures?

The live and active cultures, lactic acid bacteria (LAB), in Hansells Yoghurt perform beneficial functions in the human body when consumed in adequate amounts.

• Aids the health of the intestinal tract by supporting healthy digestion

• Helps the body break down food

• Promotes a healthy balance between “friendly” and “bad” bacteria by stimulating the growth and activity of beneficial microorganisms

• Boosts immunity

• Synthesises vitamins such as complex Vitamin B’s

• Helps break down lactose making yoghurt more suitable for people with (a mild) lactose intolerance

• May help reduce the effect of antibiotics on the good bacteria in the gut

Hansells Yoghurt contains 4 active, live cultures including Acidophilus and Bifidus (known as AB or A+B).

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Yoghurt Nutrition?

Yoghurt is highly nutritious and a good source of essential nutrients including Protein, Calcium, Riboflavin, Thiamin, Vitamin A, E and natural fats.

Protein

Protein is responsible for the repairing, regulating and protecting every tissue in the human body. The milk solids in Hansells Yoghurt have more concentrated protein than liquid milk. The absorption of protein is also increased due to the presence of active lactic cultures.

Calcium

Calcium is critical for bone growth, development and maintenance at every age and stage of life. It also plays a role in the function of nerves, muscles, kidneys and the heart. Calcium plays a vital role in the prevention of Osteoporosis, which is a prevalent disease, especially amongst women.

Vitamins

Riboflavin

Riboflavin is a water-soluble B vitamin that helps produce energy in all cells in your body and is fundamental for the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and protein.

Thiamin

Vitamin B1/Thiamin is a water-soluble B vitamin that helps cells in your body produce energy from carbohydrates. It is essential for the functioning of the heart, muscles and nervous system as it plays a role in conducting nerve impulses and in muscle contraction.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin, is important for bone growth, reproduction, immune function and vision. Vitamin A helps your eyes to convert light into brain signals that allow you to observe images. It also plays a role in creating healthy white blood cells.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin. It predominantly functions as an antioxidant, hence it helps prevent or reduce damage caused by free radicals, reducing the risk of health problems like heart disease or cancer.

Natural Fats

Fats are an essential part of a balanced diet. In addition to supplying energy to the body, natural fats also help to form structural material of cells and tissues such as the cell membrane

Here are some examples of healthy yoghurt recipe you can make at home ahead of time for a healthy and nutritious breakfast!

1. Blueberry cheesecake smoothie bowl

Servings:

1 smoothie bowl

Ingredients:

¼ cup full fat cottage cheese

¼ cup yoghurt

¼ cup milk

¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

½ banana (frozen)

½ cup frozen blueberries

Optional toppings:

Fresh blueberries

Granola

Sliced banana

Walnuts

Chia seeds

Cacao nibs

Hemp seeds

Crushed graham cracker.

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth. Pour smoothie into a bowl and add toppings. Add more milk if you don’t like the thickness.

2. Strawberry coconut overnight oats

Servings:

1 serving

Ingredients:

½ cup rolled oats

½ cup milk

½ cup yoghurt

1/4- ½ scoop vanilla protein powder

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 cup sliced strawberries, can use fresh or frozen

1 tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut

Directions:

Mix all ingredients except strawberries and coconut in a container. Top with strawberries, followed by coconut. Place in the refrigerator overnight. After about 8 hours, your oats are ready to eat!

3. 100 calorie cranberry dark chocolate muffin

Servings:

12 muffin

Ingredients:

1 & 1/3 cup whole wheat flour

1/3 cup sugar

1 & ½ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon salt

1/3 cup plain yogurt

½ cup canned pure pumpkin

1/3 cup nonfat milk

1 egg

1/8 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/3 cup fresh cranberries

1/8 cup mini dark chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. In a separate bowl, combine all wet ingredients. Stir wet mixture into dry just until mixed. Fold in cranberries and chocolate chips and let batter sit for 5 minutes. Pour mixture into a muffin pan lightly sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Bake for 20 minutes until golden brown.

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Sources :

https://www.orlandodietitian.com/blog/

http://www.hansellsyoghurt.com/au/