09 Nov More Than Protein: Getting to Know A2A2 Yogurt
This post was sponsored by Orontes Yogurt. All opinions are my own.
Protein is having a moment, and for good reason! It plays an important role in building and maintaining muscle, promoting fullness, and supporting immune function. One of my favorite protein-rich foods is yogurt, which I’ve enjoyed regularly for as long as I can remember. In fact, my very first cookbook was dedicated to yogurt, featuring more than 130 recipes using this versatile and delicious food.
But there’s one thing I’ve noticed whenever I walk through the yogurt aisle: shoppers often look overwhelmed by all the choices. They’re comparing nutrition labels, trying to make sense of protein, sugar, calories, calcium, and everything in between. With so many numbers competing for attention, how do you know which yogurt is the best choice?
As a registered dietitian, I always encourage people to look beyond a single nutrient and consider the entire nutritional package. That’s where Orontes Mediterranean A2A2 Yogurt comes into the picture. It was developed with a broader approach to nutrition and taste, combining protein, fiber, live cultures, and the natural components of milk in one creamy yogurt.
Let’s take a closer look at what makes it different.
What is Orontes Mediterranean Yogurt
Orontes is a thick, creamy, Mediterranean-style yogurt with a milder, less tangy flavor than traditional yogurt. Its higher pH and lower acidity contribute to its smoother, less tart taste.
Unlike Greek yogurt, which is strained to remove some of the liquid whey, Orontes is not strained. This means it retains more of the naturally occurring whey proteins found in milk while still delivering 10 grams of protein per serving.
Why does that matter? Milk contains two primary types of protein: casein and whey. Both offer nutritional benefits, but they are digested and absorbed differently.
- Casein: This protein is digested more slowly, providing a gradual release of amino acids over several hours. Casein is often used in the evening because its slower digestion can help support muscle protein synthesis during overnight recovery.
- Whey: Whey protein is digested and absorbed more quickly than casein. It provides amino acids that help support muscle repair and rebuilding after exercise, making it a popular choice for post-workout nutrition.
By retaining both naturally occurring milk proteins, Orontes offers a combination of casein and whey in one food.
Live Cultures and Lactose-Free Benefits
Orontes is fermented using live cultures, which are microorganisms used to transform milk into yogurt. Yogurt made with live cultures can contribute beneficial microorganisms to the diet, and certain strains may offer digestive and other health benefits.
You’ll also find chicory root fiber, which is a prebiotic fiber providing food to beneficial gut bacteria and helping them grow and thrive.
Orontes is also lactose-free. Lactose is the naturally occurring sugar in milk. Some people have difficulty digesting it because their bodies don’t produce enough lactase, the enzyme needed to break lactose down. Lactase is added to Orontes, which breaks down lactose so it’s easier for the body to absorb. This makes the yogurt a convenient dairy option for many people who are lactose intolerant.
What is A2A2 milk?
You may have noticed the term A2A2 on milk and yogurt containers and wondered what it means.
Cow’s milk contains several proteins, with casein and whey making up the two primary groups. Beta-casein is one type of casein protein and naturally occurs in different forms, including A1 and A2.
The A2 milk mainly comes from cows originating from the Channel Islands and Southern France. Their milk tends to be higher in the A2 beta-casein protein which has been part of cow’s milk for thousands of years. It is thought that due to a recent genetic mutation that dairy milk also contains the A1 beta-casein protein. These two forms differ slightly in their amino acid sequences and may be digested differently.
A2 milk comes from cows that naturally produce milk containing only the A2 form of beta-casein, rather than the A1 form. To ensure that you only get A2 beta-casein milk, dairy farmers test cows for the A2 producing gene and keep them in a separate herd. Cows with A1 beta-casein protein are separated from the herd as well. This allows farmers to keep the A2 beta-casein cow’s milk separate from the milk collected from A1 beta-casein cows and process the milks separately so that milk branded as A2 contains no A1 milk.
The theory behind the A1 variant and inflammation is that when digested, the A1 releases a greater amount (approximately three times more than A2) of beta-casomorphin 7 (BCM-7), a seven–amino acid peptide that has been speculated to induce inflammation and be linked to digestive discomfort (1). Some research (2) suggests that certain individuals may find A2 milk easier to digest or better tolerated than conventional milk. However, more research is needed to fully understand these potential differences.
It’s important to note that A2 milk is not lactose-free by nature; the lactose-free feature of Orontes comes from the addition of lactase.
Don’t Forget the Fiber!
Protein often gets the spotlight, but fiber deserves attention, too!
Orontes contains 2 grams of added prebiotic fiber per serving, specifically chicory root. Prebiotics are types of fiber that certain beneficial microorganisms in the gut use as fuel.
Yogurt made with live cultures provides microorganisms, while prebiotic fiber can help nourish certain beneficial gut bacteria. Together, these components offer an interesting combination of live cultures and fiber in one food.
Getting enough fiber is important for digestive health and overall well-being. Including foods that provide different types of fiber throughout the day is one way to support a healthy gut.
The Benefits of Whole Milk
Orontes is made with whole milk, which contributes to its rich, creamy texture and distinctive nutritional profile.
For years, dietary discussions around dairy have focused heavily on fat content. However, research increasingly highlights the importance of looking at dairy foods as a whole rather than evaluating them based on one nutrient alone.
This is where the concept of the dairy food matrix comes into play.
A food matrix refers to the way nutrients and other components within a food interact with one another. In dairy foods, this includes protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds, as well as the food’s physical structure, texture and form (like solid, gel, or liquid). These factors can influence how the body digests, absorbs, and uses nutrients.
Milk fat, in particular, has a complex composition. Cow’s milk fat contains hundreds of different fatty acids, each contributing to the overall structure and characteristics of dairy foods. Researchers continue to investigate how these components interact within the dairy food matrix and how they may influence health.
What Does the Research Say About Whole-Fat Dairy?
One huge study that has contributed to the discussion is the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study (3). Researchers examined dietary patterns and health outcomes among nearly 245,000 adults across 80 countries.
The researchers developed a healthy diet score that included six food groups associated with better health outcomes: fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, fish, and dairy. Specifically, the diets that included 14 servings of dairy per week (mainly whole milk dairy foods) were linked to reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack, stroke and mortality.
Bottom Line
I love all styles of yogurt because each has its own unique characteristics, nutritional benefits, and place in a balanced eating pattern. What I appreciate about Orontes Mediterranean A2A2 Yogurt is that it brings several interesting features together. Each serving provides 10 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber, along with naturally occurring milk proteins, live cultures, and a creamy whole-milk texture. It’s also lactose-free and made with A2 milk.
And the taste? Its smooth, mild flavor makes it easy to enjoy by the spoonful or incorporated into recipes.
Orontes even earned second place at the World Championship Cheese Contest in Madison, Wisconsin, adding another distinction to this Mediterranean-style yogurt.
When choosing yogurt, remember that there’s no single nutrient that determines whether a food is a good choice. Consider the complete package, including protein, fiber, ingredients, flavor, and how the food fits into your overall eating pattern.
Sometimes, the best choice is the one that delivers both nutrition and a taste you genuinely enjoy!
You can learn more and join the A2A2 Movement here.
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