With so many options to choose from, the ever expanding yogurt aisle has become more difficult to navigate. From Greek and Australian-style yogurts to French and non-dairy varieties, the vast abundance of options can make what use to be an easy decision quite challenging. Below is a breakdown of some of the types of yogurt one will find at the grocery store.

1. Greek

One of the more popular options, Greek yogurt is a thick and creamy style yogurt that is made by straining or removing the whey (liquid portion of milk) from regular yogurt. Because the whey contains most of the carbohydrates and calcium, Greek yogurt typically has less sugar than regular yogurt; however, it has less calcium as well. Greek yogurt generally has double the protein compared to regular yogurt making it a good option for those with increased protein needs. There are many options of Greek yogurt including whole, low-fat and fat-free.

2. Australian

Unlike Greek yogurt, Australian yogurt is unstrained. Typically made with whole milk, although low-fat options are available, Australian yogurt is known for its velvet-like, creamy texture. While not as thick or protein-rich as Greek yogurt, Australian-style yogurt is thicker and has more protein than regular yogurt. Most Australian yogurt is sweetened with honey, and a popular brand found in many grocery stores is noosa.

3. French

Newer to the market, French-style yogurt is unstrained like Australian yogurt. What makes French yogurt unique is that each serving is made or cultured in the same glass jar it is sold in. Like Australian yogurt, French yogurt is oftentimes made with whole milk. French yogurt has less protein than Greek yogurt. Oui by Yoplait is a French yogurt that can be found in stores.

4. Non-dairy varieties

For those who don’t tolerate or prefer yogurt made with cow’s milk, there are other varieties of yogurt to enjoy including those made with soy, coconut and almond milk. While the nutrient profiles of yogurts that are made with plant milks vary, typically they include added sugar. They may include a thickener as well, as they tend to be thinner. As for the protein content, yogurt that is made with almond or coconut milk typically has the lowest amount of protein. Yogurt made with soy milk has a comparable amount of protein to dairy yogurt.

Hopefully the information above will make navigating the yogurt aisle a little easier. Here is a list of a few of my favorite yogurt topping combinations.

• Pepitas, chia seeds and pomegranate seeds

• A tablespoon of nut butter (peanut, almond, etc.) swirled into yogurt of choice with banana slices on top

• Peaches and pecans

• Strawberries with slivered almonds

• Coconut, slivered almonds and a few dark chocolate chips

Rachelle Deutz is a registered dietitian at Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center.