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Adding Greek yogurt to your breakfast muesli might not only enhance its flavor but also provide significant health benefits for your heart and waistline. This insight comes from Victoria Taylor, a dietitian at the British Heart Foundation, who has highlighted the advantages of incorporating this dairy product into your diet.

Taylor said that yogurt, a fermented dairy product made by adding live cultures to milk, is rich in protein and calcium. These nutrients are essential for maintaining bone health and supporting muscle function, as per Express. Moreover, emerging research shows that the unique combination of nutrients in dairy foods like yogurt and milk may help reduce the risk of heart and circulatory diseases, despite their saturated fat content.

Greek yogurt, in particular, stands out for its thicker consistency and higher protein content compared to regular plain yogurt or milk. Replacing milk with 200g of Greek yogurt in your muesli can potentially double your protein intake from around 7g to 14g, according to Taylor. This increase in protein can enhance satiety, which is beneficial for those aiming to lose weight.

However, Taylor has warned that not all Greek yogurts are created equal. Some varieties, especially those sweetened with added sugars, can be less healthy.

"Sugar-sweetened yoghurts are one of the biggest sources of added sugars in our diets," she said.

Additionally, certain Greek yogurts made with both cream and milk can be high in saturated fats, which can negate some of the health benefits.

For a healthier choice, Taylor recommends consumers to look for Greek yogurt with "no added sugar" and "100% milk" labels. The best options should list only "milk" and "live cultures" as ingredients. She also suggests opting for low-fat yogurt to help manage cholesterol levels and reduce calorie intake. However, caution is advised with low-fat fruit yogurts, which often contain high amounts of sugar.