Scraps The Cat Goes Greek

Among her growing list of physical 'issues' Scraps the Cat has a bit of arthritis.  Not a problem, one would think.  The new family vet, of whom I am frankly terrified because she looks like a cross between Jane Goodall and my first grade teacher Anne Marie Rehtus, prescribed a capsule version of some sort of feline arthritis stuff.  "Sprinkle it on baby food," said the terrifyingly serious and direct veterinarian.  Off we went, therefore, to buy baby food in several equally unappetizing flavors.  Comes to find out that, while I would not dare disobey the vet, Scraps (a more courageous creature than I) thought nothing of it and refused to eat the pureed stuff.  I happened to have already known that Scraps loves yogurt because to eat yogurt in her company is to risk if not life and limb at least the yogurt.  She once walked the length of my right and extended arm to get to the container.  Situation solved, it would seem.  Just sprinkle the medication on the yogurt.  Life was, indeed, simple until I bought some Greek yogurt for myself.  Scraps somehow obtained the sound track from Never On Sunday and has filled the house with her sing along wailing which include the not too subtle subliminal message of 'give me the Greek stuff'.  As it works out, Scraps does, indeed, know her yogurt.  Greek yogurt, it seems, really is healthier than the other stuff on the dairy shelf.  I know this now because I looked up the benefits of Greek yogurt.  The taste leaves you feeling full and satisfied. It can be used the same way as regular yogurt is, including as a snack, in recipes, desserts and smoothies. It comes in the same flavors or plain. There are benefits to eating Greek yogurt, and comparing it to regular yogurt can help you choose which one is best for your dietary needs:

Protein -- Greek yogurt can have twice as much protein as regular yogurt. The extra protein will help you feel full and leave you feeling satisfied. Commercial Greek yogurts at supermarkets have almost double the protein content of standard yogurt brands. One cup of plain, low-fat conventional yogurt usually contains 5 to 10 grams of protein, where Greek yogurt averages about 13 to 20 grams of protein. Sodium -- Salt is a big red flag, and many consumers are looking for lower in salt items. According to the USDA, Greek yogurt has less sodium by up to 50 percent. Plus, it still has a full-bodied taste without the high sodium content. Low in Carbohydrates -- If you are watching your carbohydrate intake or have a sensitivity to carbohydrates like diabetes, then Greek yogurt is your ticket. Regular yogurts have 15 to 17 grams of carbohydrates per cup, where Greek yogurt averages around 9 grams.  Easy to Digest -- Because Greek yogurt contains less carbohydrates than regular yogurt, it has less lactose, the sugar in dairy products that can sometimes upset people's stomachs. This is especially helpful for people who have lactose intolerance.  Versatility -- Greek yogurt can be used for many dishes including savory and sweet. Due to its thick texture and rich taste, many people use it as a substitute for milk, sour cream and even use it for baking.  Texture -- Greek yogurt has a smooth, rich and thick consistency. Part of what makes Greek yogurt different than regular yogurt is that it is strained to remove the whey. When whey is removed, so is water, which creates a thicker, more substantial yogurt product. This is why Greek yogurt is so popular because of the satisfaction after eating something creamy and smooth.

The above information is from http://www.livestrong.com - a site with a lot of interesting stuff about what we eat.

Or you can just ask Scraps the Cat.