First of all, if you’re still scared that eating fat will make you fat - don’t be. By now the benefit of monounsaturated fats, and even saturated fat has been well documented and we know that consuming both not only boosts your nutrition intake, but can actually keep you slim as well. But while the health benefits of nuts and fatty fish are widely celebrated; when it comes to animal products - many shoppers still opt for reduced fat options over full. The truth is that even in dairy, full fat varieties are almost always the healthier choice.
THE WHY
FAT DOESN’T CAUSE OBESITY
In 16 different studies, full-fat dairy was proven to be either inversely related, or not at all to obesity and metabolic disease.
A CALORIE ISN’T JUST A CALORIE
Although high fat foods are typically higher in calories, they’re higher in nutrients too - which makes your body process them in a more efficient way.
LOW FAT DIETS DON’T WORK
If you’re cutting trans-fats from your diet by eliminating processed foods, that’s great. Otherwise, buying low-fat foods just does not make you lose weight.
LESS PROCESSING = MORE NUTRITION
It seems almost too simple, but eating foods in their whole and natural state is always healthier than altering them. I guess Mother Nature really does know best.
LESS FAT OFTEN MEANS MORE SUGAR
Companies often add sugar to make up flavor after removing fat. Talk about counter intuitive.
FULL FAT PROMOTES FEMALE FERTILITY
Turns out there may be a biological reason that pregnant women crave ice cream... and why it's great news for women trying to get pregnant!
FULL FAT CURBS CRAVINGS
If your body is deprived of what it needs, it will crave all kinds of things that may be worse than what you gave up in the first place.
“The truth is that even in dairy, full fat varieties are the healthier choice over low fat or fat free. ”
Personally, I don’t drink much cow’s milk because I prefer the flavor and extra nutrients found in nut milks. But yogurt is a daily indulgence, and one that I was eating fat free out of habit for years until my naturopath advised otherwise. With instructions to switch from 0% to full fat asap - I set about the delicious task of finding the best full-fat yogurts on the market. Below are my personal favorites:
the taste test
BEST EUROPEAN STYLE
LIBERTE - This French-Canadian brand makes yogurt as nice as it’s residents. My own yogurt obsession began with childhood summers spent with my Belgian family, where I learned what good yogurt really tastes like. Liberté is the closest that I’ve found to a local equivalent, and sacrebleu! It’s good.
BEST FLAVORED
SIGGI’S - I normally steer clear of flavored yogurts because of all the extra sugar that comes along with them. Siggi’s is an exception. Siggi's actually JUST came out with their 4% fat version, as more and more people are demanding whole yogurt. Infused with natural ingredients like strawberry rhubarb and coconut, Siggy’s is actually an Icelandic style of yogurt called skyr. Skyr is naturally tart, so even the seasonal flavors are not very sweet.
BEST GREEK
WALLABY GREEK - Part of the reason that I ate fat free yogurt for so long was to avoid the distinct flavor that certain full fat varieties have. I find that Wallaby’s flavor remains consistently creamy and mild despite fat content, unlike Fage and Chiobani, which have a certain sourness to the full fat varieties. I love to add banana or berries and flax seed, plus a few dashes of cinnamon for a simple and healthful breakfast parfait.
BEST 2%
NOUNOS - If you’re not ready to jump into 4-5% fat, but want to dip your tastebuds into healthful deliciousness, start with Nounos. These little jars are are not only darling, they’re useful: I actually use my empties to store things like seeds and nuts in the pantry. And the yogurt itself? It’s like dessert it’s so darn good. I have yet to find a full fat version - but the second they hit the market, they’ll find one customer in me - that’s for sure.
PHOTO CRED: Betsi Ewing
WARDROBE BY: St. Roche and Van H
NAILS BY: Zoya for Lushlife Nailworks
I’m always on the go but I LOVE eating at home. My 4 part formula for easy, healthy meals day or night makes feeding yourself and your loved ones as easy as 1, 2, 3…4.