Buttermilk vs Greek Yoghurt

[opi2kenopi]

I caught the end of Oprah yesterday ( ahem  ).  They were doing a show about diabetes and talked about sugar, fats and various nasties that contribute to the development of Type 2 diabetes.  Anyway, at the end, Oprah asked her 3 'experts' what their one tip was to help people become more healthy.  Dr Oz's tip was to replace buttermilk with greek yoghurt where possible.  (I think this was aimed at the audience's desire for fried chicken).

I did some googling and some general searching around, but I can't really work out why that is a good tip to help with preventing diabetes.  I know that these days buttermilk that you buy in the shop most of the time isn't the remains from making butter, but is cultured.  It still says on the pack though that it's 98% fat free, so I don't think it can be the fat content.  The only thing I can think of is that yoghurt has the good bacteria in it.  Could that be it?

Can anyone enlighten me on this?  I think it would be worth knowing given the interest in Chookies KFC Coating!

[judydawn]

I have just sent a message to Diabetes SA O2K asking why this is so.  Hopefully they will reply with an answer later. I couldn't find anything helpful with googling either.

[opi2kenopi]

Thanks JD.  I'll be interested to hear what they say about it.  It did seem like an odd piece of advice to be giving out...

[Chelsea (Thermie Groupie)]

I wonder if buttermilk is different in the US?  Perhaps higher in fat or sweetened?

[achookwoman]

Interesting discussion,  let us know.  Could use thinned yogurt to replace the buttermilk if you wish.

[cookie1]

I'll be interested to see if you have a reply Judy. I thought buttermilk was a good thing.

[judydawn]

Still waiting for an answer.

[judydawn]

Just received a reply from Diabetes S.A. as follows

'Both low fat buttermilk and low fat greek yoghurt are good ingredients to use for cooking.  Great alternative to sour cream or cream & full cream milk.  Depends on what you are cooking as to which one you choose but make sure you always choose low fat for both products'

[opi2kenopi]

Thanks so much for following up and posting the reply judydawn.  I'm glad that I wasn't going mad when I thought there wouldn't be much difference between them.

Thanks again

[achookwoman]

Thanks Judy.  Just as we thought.

[cookie1]

  Super Judy to the rescue....................again. Thank you.