Is Skyr Healthier Than Yogurt?

What is Icelandic Skyr?

Icelandic skyr (pronounced skeer) might be newer to you, but it’s been an important part of Icelandic food culture for over 1,000 years and has started to crop up in the States in a big way in recent years (popular brands include Siggi’s, Sky.is, and Icelandic Provisions). It is an Icelandic-style strained yogurt that’s even thicker …

Most of us just knew about regular yogurt and the many different flavors it came in. But Greek yogurt? That was pretty much a foreign concept.

It is an Icelandic-style strained yogurt that’s even thicker and more densely concentrated than Greek yogurt. Icelanders will tell you that true, Icelandic skyr is not actually yogurt at all but instead, it’s categorized as a cheese. Traditionally, skyr involves heating skim milk and then adding old skyr cultures.

Aside from the smooth, thick texture, skyr gets bonus points for its health benefits. It’s super high in protein (even higher than Greek yogurt), and also packed with vitamins and minerals, and typically lower in sugar, carbs, and fat than most yogurts.

Through this straining process, whey (the watery part of milk that remains after curds form) is very slowly drained, resulting in a much thicker consistency than regular yogurt. It also means it is higher in protein concentration and lower in sugar than most standard American yogurts.

Like Greek yogurt, skyr is also high in calcium (just one serving can provide roughly 20 percent of your recommended daily amount), and can help increase bone mass density in children and teenagers and can protect against bone loss and as you age.

Greek yogurt is loaded with beneficial nutrients, from iodine (especially good if you have a thyroid deficiency) to calcium (great for weight loss and preserving bone density) to B12 (important for energy and brain function) to probiotics (helps regulate your gut health).

How many grams of protein is in a Skyr?

It’s low in calories, fat and carbs, yet high in protein, vitamins and minerals. While its exact nutrient content varies by brand, a 6-ounce (170-gram) serving of unflavored skyr typically contains the following ( 1, 2, 3. Trusted Source.

Written by Rachael Link, MS, RD on March 11, 2017. Skyr is a cultured Icelandic dairy product that’s becoming popular worldwide. With a high protein content and a wide range of vitamins and minerals, skyr is generally recognized as a nutritious addition to the diet.

Flavored varieties of skyr are also popular and usually sweetened with either sugar or artificial sweeteners. Additionally, it’s often paired with fruit or jam to add a bit of sweetness for a dessert. Furthermore, skyr is incorporated into a variety of recipes, from flatbreads to frittatas to puddings and more.

). Fortunately for these individuals, the process of straining skyr removes about 90% of its lactose content, so many people with lactose intolerance can tolerate moderate amounts of skyr.

Calcium can be found in a variety of foods, but just one serving of skyr can provide 20% of the recommended daily amount. Summary: Skyr is rich in calcium, an essential mineral that can help protect against bone loss and osteoporosis.

Skyr is high in calcium, an essential mineral in the diet. About 99% of the calcium in your body is found in your bones and teeth. While collagen forms the main structure of your bones, a combination of calcium and phosphate is what makes them strong and dense. ).

Its High Protein Content Keeps You Full. One of the biggest benefits of skyr is its protein content. Producing skyr requires three to four times as much milk as making yogurt, resulting in a more nutrient-dense, high-protein product. ).