Tzatziki is a delicious, cool, and creamy yogurt-cucumber dip that can be enjoyed with many different types of food. It’s also known as tzatziki or that ski, depending on where you are from. Although it sounds like its origins are somewhere in the east (probably because it has the word ‘East’ in the name), it is actually an extremely popular dip in Greece and other parts of Europe. But does that mean that tzatziki is healthy? After all, most dips are high in fat and calories, which isn’t good for your diet or your health. However, there are some positive aspects to Tzatziki as well as some negative ones. In this article, we will look at what tzatziki is made from, whether it’s healthy or not, along with how you can make a healthier version if needed.
Is Tzatziki Healthy?
Yes, Tzatziki is healthy. It is made of yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, and olive oil. All of these ingredients are healthy and good for you. Garlic has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, while yogurt is high in protein and calcium. Cucumbers are a good source of vitamins K and C, as well as antioxidants. Olive oil is a heart-healthy fat that contains antioxidants and polyphenols.
How Is Tzatziki Made?
1. Tzatziki Is Made From Yogurt
Tzatziki is made from Greek yogurt. The reason why it’s called tzatziki is because of the cucumbers, garlic, and herbs that are added to it. It’s not just any type of yogurt, but specifically a strained Greek yogurt.
2. Tzatziki Has Fewer Calories Than Other Dips
Although tzatziki contains fat, it doesn’t contain as much fat as other dips as hummus or guacamole do. Tzatziki has only 4 grams of fat per serving (1 tablespoon) and only 37 calories (1 tablespoon). That’s much lower than the 100-200 calories in most dips, which are very high in fat. In fact, a serving of hummus contains about 200 calories and 14 grams of fat! So tzatziki may be a healthy option for those who want to eat healthier dips!
3. Tzatziki Is A Good Source Of Protein
Tzatziki contains about 5 grams of protein per serving (1 tablespoon). That’s a lot more than the 2 grams of protein in guacamole, which is also a dip. It also provides double the amount of calcium that guacamole does, which can help to keep your bones strong. So tzatziki has more protein and calcium than many dips but doesn’t contain as much fat or calories as other dips do.
4. Tzatziki Has The Same Amount Of Vitamin C As Fruit
Vitamin C is essential for good health and can help to prevent certain diseases. Vitamin C is found in all types of foods such as fruits and vegetables, but it’s especially found in citrus fruits such as oranges and lemon juice. Because tzatziki contains so much vitamin C, it may be considered a good source of vitamin C.
5. Tzatziki Contains The Same Amount Of Vitamin B6 As Spinach And Eggs
Vitamin B6 is also essential for good health and can help to prevent certain diseases. It’s found in many foods such as potatoes, bananas, and fish, but it’s especially found in almonds, beans, and eggs. Because tzatziki contains so much vitamin B6, it may be considered a good source of vitamin B6.
Is Tzatziki Healthy?
1. Tzatziki Is Made From Yogurt, Cucumber, And Garlic.
The base of any dip is always yogurt. In fact, tzatziki contains just as much fat as a regular Greek salad. So the first thing to know about this delicious dip is that it’s not healthy at all. The good news is that you can make it healthier by replacing some of the dairies with vegetables or alternative ingredients, like potatoes or cashews for example. If you want to make a more traditional Greek version of tzatziki, you should use feta cheese instead of yogurt, and add some extra herbs and spices to the mix such as oregano and dill.
2. Tzatziki Contains Almost As Much Fat As A Regular Greek Salad!
Tzatziki has a lot of calories too – about 150 per 100g (which comes out to about 1 1/2 tablespoons for those who don’t know). That’s a lot of calories for a dip, which is usually eaten with bread. If you are eating it with a lot of other foods, then the calories will probably be spread out more evenly. However, if you eat it by itself and not with other foods, the fat content is going to add up quickly. Greek tzatziki is usually made with feta cheese and olive oil or olive oil and yogurt. The two main ingredients in tzatziki are yogurt and garlic, which contain plenty of fat as well as being high in sodium (about 250mg per 100g). These two ingredients make up 50% of the total fat content in Greek tzatziki!
3. Tzatziki Contains Lots Of Sugar!
Feta cheese contains some sugar too – around 6g per 100g (which comes out to about 1 1/2 teaspoons for those who don’t know). You can read more about the sugar content in feta cheese here. Tzatziki also contains a lot of sugar – around 16g per 100g, which comes out to about 1 teaspoon. This is the equivalent of 1 tablespoon of honey.
4. Tzatziki Is High In Sodium!
Tzatziki contains a lot of sodium too – around 250mg per 100g (which comes out to about 2 teaspoons for those who don’t know). This is the equivalent of eating 1/4 teaspoon of salt per 100g (which means that you should eat less than this if you want to be healthy). The amount of salt in tzatziki depends on how much garlic you use and how much cheese you use. If you choose low-sodium feta cheese or low-sodium yogurt, then there will be less sodium in your tzatziki. If you choose regular feta cheese or regular yogurt, then the amount will increase considerably. In both cases, it’s better to choose low-sodium versions of these ingredients.
5. Tzatziki Is High In Fat!
Tzatziki contains a lot of fat too – around 150g per 100g (which comes out to about 1 1/2 tablespoons for those who don’t know). This is the equivalent of eating half an avocado. The amount of fat in tzatziki depends on how much yogurt and/or feta cheese you use, as well as how much garlic you use. If you choose low-fat versions of these ingredients, then there will be less fat in your tzatziki. If you choose regular versions, then the amount will increase considerably. In both cases, it’s better to choose low-fat versions of these ingredients if you are trying to lose weight or lower your cholesterol levels.
Health Benefits Of Tzatziki
1. Tzatziki Is A Great Source Of Calcium.
Tzatziki is made from yogurt and cucumber but it also contains other veggies like dill, mint, and garlic. This means that tzatziki is a great source of calcium, which is important for many reasons. Calcium helps to strengthen bones and teeth, as well as maintain healthy blood pressure levels. It also helps to regulate the nervous system and keep your heart functioning properly. If you’re looking for a healthy dip to enjoy with your dinner or with your favorite foods, then tzatziki may be just what you need!
2. Tzatziki Can Help Lower Cholesterol Levels In The Body.
Yogurt has been found to lower bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein) in the body by 20%. This means that Tzatziki may help lower cholesterol levels by improving your diet and reducing saturated fat intake in the body. If you’re trying to maintain a healthy heart, then tzatziki is a great choice for you!
3. Tzatziki Is A Great Source Of Fiber.
Tzatziki is made from yogurt and cucumber and it also contains other veggies like dill, mint, and garlic. It’s also very high in protein which means it’s got a lot of fiber content as well. Fiber helps to keep your digestive system functioning properly and prevents constipation. If you have any digestive issues or are taking medication that may cause constipation, then tzatziki may be the answer to your problem!
4. Tzatziki Can Help Lower Cholesterol Levels In The Body.
Yogurt has been found to lower bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein) in the body by 20%. This means that Tzatziki may help lower cholesterol levels by improving your diet and reducing saturated fat intake in the body. If you’re trying to maintain a healthy heart, then tzatziki is a great choice for you!
5. Tzatziki Can Help Lower Blood Pressure Levels In The Body.
Yogurt has been found to lower bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein) in the body by 20%. This means that Tzatziki may help lower cholesterol levels by improving your diet and reducing saturated fat intake in the body. If you’re trying to maintain a healthy heart, then tzatziki is a great choice for you!
Negative Aspects Of Tzatziki
1. It’s Not Made From Yogurt
The first negative aspect of tzatziki is that it isn’t made from yogurt. Instead, it’s made from cucumbers and other healthy ingredients like garlic, olive oil, salt, and lemon juice. So the next time you want to make tzatziki at home, try using yogurt instead of cucumbers. You will see a big difference in the taste and texture when you use yogurt instead of cucumbers for this dip.
2. It Contains Unhealthy Fats
Some people feel a little guilty about eating Greek dips because they contain unhealthy fats like oil and mayonnaise. This is because both these ingredients are high in calories and fat content. The calories come from the oils used to make the dip, while the fat comes from mayonnaise or other thickening agents used to create a creamy texture in the dip. For example, one serving (2 tbsp) of tzatziki contains 90 calories and 11 grams of fat. In comparison, you can make a similar amount of tzatziki without the mayonnaise and with only 6 grams of fat.
3. It’s High In Sodium
Another negative aspect of tzatziki is that it’s very high in sodium. The reason for this is that the cucumbers used in making the dip are very salty, and olive oil is also used to make the dip. So if you want to enjoy a healthier version of tzatziki, you can use low-sodium cucumbers or even omit them altogether. You can also use less olive oil when making the dip than what is used for traditional recipes because the amount of oil used depends on how much liquid you add to it. However, if you decide to make your own version of tzatziki at home, be sure to use olive oil instead of vegetable oil or other oils that are not healthy for your diet.
Conclusion
Tzatziki is a delicious, cool, and creamy yogurt-cucumber dip, which can be enjoyed with many different types of food. While it may be a popular dip in many parts of the world, it is important to remember that it is high in fat and calories and should be eaten in moderation. That being said, tzatziki is also a great source of protein and calcium, making it a smart choice if you want to enjoy a creamy dip.
