Culture Cure

FILL UP ON NUTRITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, THEN DECIPHER THE YOGURT CATEGORY WITH EASE.

- Becca Miller

From protein-rich breakfast bowls to dreamy dips, yogurt is a versatility champ. Whatever style or variety, the creamy cup is essentially milk that's gone through a fermentation process thanks to the introduction of beneficial bacteria (a.k.a. live active cultures or probiotics).

Nutrient-wise, this all-star is hard to beat. Yogurt offers calcium, magnesium, protein, and plenty of those active cultures, which are key for digestion, says Marisa Moore, RDN, a culinary and integrative dietitian. “It's an ultraconvenient way to consume the probiotics that are linked to a number of pros, like immune system support." The balance of calcium and protein also makes it a stellar muscle- and bone-building bite, and one Harvard study found it may reduce risk for type 2 diabetes. Hello, health hero!

Razzle-dazzle aside, not all’gurts are the same. Take probiotics, for example. While yogurt production in general requires the addition of good-for-you bacteria, some labels tout a variety of strains of live active cultures. For the best gut boost, opt for brands that actually list the cultures so you know you're getting the good stuff.