Yogurt - The Growing Culture

khaleej times | ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT

Fit for all

seasons

Yoghurt is a contemporary ingredient that can be enjoyed in a number of forms

Farhana Chowdhury

I

t’s smooth, creamy and absolutely delicious. Yoghurt has won the hearts of dairy lovers around the world with its rich texture and nutritious advantages.

The savoury milk product is rich in calcium, protein, riboflavin and vitamin B, and gives even the dairy-intolerant something to look forward to, thanks to bacteria culture and its ability to break down lactose.

It has proven to be a popular ingredient in smoothies and milkshakes, much preferred by gym enthusiasts, that give its drinkers a boost of well-being. It is also mixed into newer concoctions such as bubble or boba tea, a Taiwanese drink with chewy tapioca pearls that’s slowly gaining popularity in the UAE. Plus, yoghurt acts as a base for creating other kinds of drinks such as laban, lassi, burhani and ayran.

Aside from its beverage-status, yoghurt

also plays a big role in giving a distinct taste to different cuisines.

Skimmed and low-fat varieties are can be seen flying off shelves, while new soybased version are hitting the market.

The healthy dessert is popular no matter the season and has seen the rise of parlours, especially in the UAE, exclusively offering varieties of frozen yoghurt flavours and toppings. These have become an ideal option for those trying keep their sweet tooth and sugar levels in check.

Besides its regular sour taste, these counters offer flavours in vanilla, chocolate, mango, pomegranate and blackberry. For an extra crunch, toppings come in the form of fresh fruits, nuts, crushed biscuits, granola, cereal, bits of chocolate and candies.

Be it salty, sour or sweet, there’s no denying that yoghurt has made its way into our fridges.

— farhana@khaleejtimes.com

Taste worth obsessing over Pinkberry is serving swirly goodness in 17 locations across the UAE with stores in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Sharjah, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah Adored by all, from groupies to celebrities, the Pinkberry buzz has not stopped swirling.

Pinkberry, the internationally renowned original non-fat frozen yoghurt brand, is serving up the swirly goodness in 17 locations across the UAE with stores in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Sharjah, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah.

Pinkberry is a light, refreshing and guilt-free treat made with non-fat milk and non-fat yoghurt containing calcium, protein, vitamins, and minerals, and packed with live and active yoghurt cultures.

including original, pomegranate, coconut, passionfruit, chocolate and mango, in addition to seasonal flavours such as strawberry, watermelon, chocolate hazelnut and caramel. These flavours are topped with daily hand cut fresh fruits and over 30 gourmet dry, liquid and luxe toppings.

Pinkberry frozen yoghurt can also be enjoyed blended to perfection with fresh fruits and non-fat milk in a variety of smoothie flavours, which include strawberry pomegranate, strawberry

banana, mango pineapple, chocolate hazelnut, and cookies and cream.

Pinkberry smoothies have no added sugar or additives and are freshly made in store. The range of smoothies will surely evoke the same feeling of goodness that made Pinkberry’s frozen yoghurt an instant hit.

It doesn’t stop there – you can enjoy Pinkberry frozen yoghurt in a fresh fruit parfait made up of five layers of daily cut fresh fruit, all-natural honey almond granola and any flavour of your choice.

Want more? There is Pinkberry Take Home (25oz) of frozen yoghurt to enjoy at the comfort of your home with family and friends, or all for yourself.

With over 47 stores in the Middle East, Pinkberry continues to be among the leading frozen yoghurt retailers in the region and is committed to offering frozen yoghurt that is fresh and tastes just as good as it is for you.

Pinkberry now delivers your favourite frozen yoghurt in the UAE! Pinkberry yoghurt is certified by the national yoghurt association in the US and researchers have found early evidence linking live and active yoghurt cultures to a variety of health benefits including support for a healthy immune system, joint health and flexibility.

Pinkberry frozen yoghurt swirls in a variety of six mouthwatering flavours

You crave it, we deliver it! You can now order your favourite frozen yoghurt to enjoy at the comfort of your home, your office or wherever you please. We can now bring Pinkberry to you across Dubai* and Abu Dhabi* – freshly swirled and sealed.

For delivery, call 04 455 0000 or order online

*Delivery to selected areas.

yoghurt — The growing culture

khaleej times | ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT

The benefits of yoghurt What’s tasty, easy, and has lots of health benefits? Yoghurt!

Elaine Magee

H

ave you noticed that the yoghurt section of most grocery stores has practically taken over the dairy aisle? It’s getting harder to find more traditional dairy foods, such as cottage cheese and sour cream, amid the sea of yoghurt options.

But it only makes sense that a food with as many health benefits as yoghurt be given prime real estate in the supermarket.

And just what are the health benefits of yoghurt?

Offering the richness of French dairy Available in full cream and low fat, Yoplait’s natural yoghurt is rich in vitamin D and is a delicious way to help get your calcium Yoplait is the world’s second largest fresh dairy brand. It was established nearly 50 years ago when 100,000 French farmers merged their regional dairy coops and began selling their product nationally.

Fast-forward to today. Yoplait is present in five continents, approximately in 50 countries and the range consists of more than 2,500 products. In addition to its 26 franchise network, Yoplait has set up five subsidiaries in recent years.

Yoplait launched its yoghurt products in the UAE market in

partnership with Agthia Group PJSC in 2011. The Yoplait range here has been carefully developed keeping in mind the UAE consumer’s tastes and preferences. The range includes delicious, all-purpose natural yoghurt, fruit yoghurt with real fruit pieces as well as Yoplait Peitis Filous, which is high in calcium and vitamin D to meet the nutritional requirements of children.

The Yoplait range is made fresh in the UAE and available at all hypermarkets, supermarkets and groceries throughout the Emirates.

Yoplait strives to provide consumers with high quality products to ensure a perfect balance of taste

and nutrition for the health and well-being of the consumers.

Yoplait fresh natural yoghurt, made from 100 per cent cow’s milk is thick and creamy. Available in full cream and low fat, Yoplait’s natural yogurt is rich in vitamin D and is a delicious way to help get your calcium. Ideal for eating and cooking, each cup bursts with the delicious, flavourful creaminess.

Yoplait’s fruit yoghurt is truly an irresistible snack for the whole family. Yoplait’s fruit yoghurts are made with smooth yoghurt and real fruit pieces. The full cream yoghurts are available in strawberry, mango, mixed berries and apricot flavours, while the low fat flavours include strawberry, mango and mixed berries. With many more popular flavours to be added to the existing range, Yoplait’s fruit yoghurt makes fruit much more flavourful.

The first years for kids are critical for their overall development.

As a result, parents want the best for their child. The words ‘active’ and ‘kids’ go hand in hand, hence, calcium and vitamin D have always been a must-have in kids’ diet to help build and maintain strong bones.

Therefore, Yoplait’s Petits Filous is a fresh dairy product dedicated to kids. Its specialised formula combines the benefits of

The Yoplait range is made fresh in the UAE and available at all hypermarkets, supermarkets and groceries throughout the Emirates dairy with real fruit puree. An important source of calcium, and vitamin D, Yoplait Petits Filous helps to build strong bones in growing children. It is free from artificial preservatives, additives, colours or sweeteners. Yoplait Petits Filous comes in three fruity flavours — strawberry, raspberry and peach, available in 4x50g packs ideal for kids. The strawberry flavour is also available in a 120g pack. Because it tastes so good and has a creamy smooth texture, it serves as a nutritious snack idea or a healthy addition to any child’s meal.

We can all make healthier choices to lead our children to a healthy lifestyle.

Firstly, your body needs to have a healthy amount of “good” bacteria in the digestive tract, and many types of yoghurt are made using active, good bacteria. One of the words you’ll be hearing more in relation to yoghurt is “probiotics”. Probiotic, which literally means “for life”, refers to living organisms that can result in a health benefit when eaten in adequate amounts.

Miguel Freitas, PhD, Medical Marketing Manager for Dannon Co., says the benefits associated with probiotics are specific to certain strains of these “good” bacteria. Many provide their benefits by adjusting the microflora (the natural balance of organisms) in the intestines, or by acting directly on body functions such as digestion or immune function. (Yoghurt that is labelled with “live and active cultures” contain probiotic).

And let us not forget that yoghurt comes from milk. So yoghurt eaters will also get a dose of animal protein (about 9 grammes per 6-ounce serving), plus several other nutrients found in dairy foods like calcium, vitamin B-2, B-12, potassium, and magnesium.

In fact, the health benefits of yoghurt are so impressive that many health-conscious people make it a daily habit.

Yoghurt may help prevent osteoporosis “Adequate nutrition plays a major role in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, and the micronutrients of greatest importance are calcium and vitamin D,” says Jeri Nieves, PhD, MS, a bone density-testing director.

Calcium has been shown to have beneficial effects on bone mass in people of all ages, although the results are not always consistent, says Nieves, who is also an assistant professor of clinical epidemiology.

The combination of calcium and vitamin D has a clear skeletal benefit, provided the dose of vitamin D is sufficiently high.

Currently, 400 IU per day is considered an adequate intake of vitamin D for people ages 51-70.

“This amount is likely to be sufficient for most young adults for skeletal health, although many would argue that for overall health, more than the 400 IU may be required, even at these younger ages,’’ she says.

Older people specifically can benefit from more vitamin D. Many dairy products, including some yoghurt, are made with added vitamin D. (Source: www.webmd.com)