When it comes to choosing a healthy snack, you can start by looking at what’s in the dairy aisle. But have you ever come across skyr, a thick, creamy product resembling Icelandic yoghurt? Its popularity is on the rise due to its health benefits and unique texture, but is skyr really the best choice for those looking for an alternative to traditional yogurt? In this article, we’ll take a look at what makes skyr so special: from its origins in Iceland, to its abundance of vitamins and nutrients that make it as “healthy” (or even better) than regular yogurt!
Understand the stages of preparing the Skyr.
The process of making Skyr, a traditional Icelandic dairy product, is long but rewarding. It starts with sourcing quality skimmed milk and adding lactic acid to the mix, allowing it to coagulate. To this mix, a starter culture is added which contains both beneficial bacteria and enzymes. This combination allows milk proteins to begin to break down, resulting in a thick yogurt-like texture. The mixture is then left overnight at room temperature to continue fermenting, resulting in an even thicker consistency that can be strained through cheesecloth.
Once filtered, Skyr is ready to be pasteurized and cooled, giving it its creamy texture and characteristic taste. This process also preserves the shelf life of Skyr and provides greater safety against potentially harmful bacteria by killing any active cultures present in the mix. After pasteurization, the Skyr is left to cool for several hours before being packaged in suitable containers for storage or sale.
In addition to these preparation steps, traditional Skyr recipes call for additional ingredients such as whey protein concentrate or whey protein isolate, which provide additional protein content and nutritional benefits. Other ingredients such as fruits or spices can also be added to give more flavor or sweetness to the final product. These ingredients are most often added after pasteurization so they retain their nutritional value and freshness while providing an extra layer of delicious flavor when consumed!
6 reasons to add skyr to your favorite dairy list.
Rich in protein:
Skyr is a particular type of yogurt, popular in Scandinavian countries, which is now attracting worldwide attention thanks to its incredibly high protein content. It contains 10% protein, which is three times more than regular yogurt! This makes it a great snack or ingredient for those looking to add more protein to their diet without resorting to unhealthy sources. Full of vitamins and minerals, Skyr can be used in breakfast bowls, smoothies, or even as the main component of various recipes. So, for those looking for healthier dairy-based snacks or meals, try the Skyr! You will not regret it.
Weightloss :
Not only is it delicious, but the Skyr can also help you shed those extra pounds. It has been shown that the consumption of 100 g of Skyr, provides only 60 Kcal, it is the equivalent of an apple. Enjoying it before meals reduces hunger pangs while providing needed nutrients and keeping you feeling full longer. The high protein content helps build muscle tone, which helps burn more calories over time. In addition, thanks to its low sugar content (3.9 g per 100 g), you will not risk absorbing too many unnecessary calories with this snack. If you’re looking to shed those extra pounds, adding Skyr to your daily regimen is definitely worth it!
Low in fat:
Compared to other yogurts, skyr is also incredibly low in fat, boasting less than 0.5% fat. It is therefore a better alternative for those looking for something light but still filling, without the unhealthy fat content often found in yogurts.
Better gut health:
Skyr is also an excellent source of probiotics that can help promote gut health and restore balance to the digestive system, as well as benefit immune health. As these good bacteria help break down food into usable energy and absorb nutrients from what we eat, they are essential for overall well-being.
Easy preparation at home:
Making your own skyr at home is easy and cost effective: all you need is skim milk and live cultures which can be purchased online or at most health food stores if they aren’t already available. available in your kitchen cupboard. This makes skyr a great alternative to store-bought yogurts which may contain artificial flavors, sweeteners, preservatives or other additives that can harm our body if consumed long term.
Good snack for those who are lactose intolerant:
Finally, people with lactose intolerance can therefore continue to enjoy the delicious taste of this yogurt without suffering from gastrointestinal disorders due to its low lactose content compared to cow’s milk products such as regular yogurts available in the market today.
