Yogurt Diet Plan

A yogurt diet plan, if used sensibly and combined with exercise, can assist dieters with losing weight, sometimes quickly. Yogurt is high in protein and low in fat, inexpensive and for the most part filling. It comes in many different flavors: strawberry, blueberry, cherry, peach, coconut, key lime pie and more. It also is available in many sizes, from ready-to-go 5 oz. servings to half-gallons.

Nutritional Considerations

A 4 oz. serving of yogurt contains no more than 110 calories, 2 grams of fat, 17 to 20 grams of sugar, 4 or 5 grams of protein and more than 200 milligrams of potassium. Yogurt is not a good pick for people who are on low-carb diets, as a 4 oz. serving can contain up to 20 grams of carbohydrates. Yogurt can also be fairly high in sodium, so check the ingredients before deciding on a brand.

Plans

Following a yogurt diet plan doesn't mean eating only yogurt. It means two or three servings per day, with healthy choices complementing the yogurt. For instance, breakfast may consist of yogurt and an apple, followed by a lunch of salad and a yogurt, followed by a sensible dinner of broiled chicken or fish and a salad. That may be followed by an after-dinner snack of another serving of yogurt or fruit. If you wish to eat only yogurt and fruit, it is still recommended that you get most of your calories from the fruit and stick to no more than four servings per day of yogurt.

Other Ideas

Yogurt is a good way for people who are lactose intolerant to enjoy cereal, by using the yogurt to replace milk. A low-fat, high-fiber cereal and yogurt can be instituted as part of a yogurt plan. Dieters may also want to dip sliced apples in their yogurt or mix healthy nuts (pecans, pistachios) into their yogurt. You can even coat chicken in plain yogurt before baking.

Work It Off

Yogurt diets, like most eating plans, work best if accompanied by exercise. Walking, running, weightlifting and swimming are just a few ideas to help burn calories while eating a diet rich in yogurt. The key is to exercise regularly and drink plenty of water (up to eight 8 oz. glasses per day). The yogurt diet provides plenty of nutrients and gives you lots of energy during workouts.