Mes Recipes

Mes Notes · This or That? · August 2026

Greek, Kefir or Skyr?

All three are fermented dairy — but they differ in protein, texture and probiotics.

Greek Yogurt
Kefir
Skyr

Greek Yogurt

Strained, creamy, goes with everything

Protein (per 100g)~9g
TextureThick, creamy
ProbioticsYes
Calories~59 kcal

Best for

The versatile, easy-to-find option — sauces, breakfast, dessert. Being strained, it has more protein than regular yogurt. Ideal for cacık and creamy sauces.

Kefir

Drinkable, richest in probiotics

Protein (per 100g)~3.3g
TextureDrinkable, pourable
ProbioticsMany diverse strains
Calories~55 kcal

Best for

The most diverse probiotic content for your gut flora — far more strains than yogurt. Great as a drink or in a smoothie. Also lower in lactose than regular yogurt.

Skyr

Icelandic-style, highest in protein

Protein (per 100g)~11g
TextureVery thick
ProbioticsYes
Calories~63 kcal

Best for

The highest in protein (Icelandic-style strained), very low in fat. Ideal for post-workout recovery and staying full — thick enough to eat with a spoon.

Verdict

For protein, skyr. For probiotic diversity, kefir. For versatility and availability, Greek yogurt. All three are healthy — the key is choosing a plain, unsweetened one.

Greek yogurt, kefir, skyr. Three fermented dairy products you'll find all over the chilled aisle, often chosen at random. Yet they differ a lot on three points: protein, texture and probiotic richness. Here's how to choose based on what you need, with rough values per 100 g.

Greek yogurt: the versatile option

Greek yogurt provides around 9 g of protein per 100 g, with a thick, creamy texture. Being strained, it has more protein than regular yogurt, and it contains probiotics. Its strength: it goes with everything, from breakfast to dessert to sauces.

Best for

Versatile use and creamy sauces — especially cacık, the Turkish sauce of yogurt, cucumber and garlic.

Kefir: the probiotic champion

Kefir provides around 3.3 g of protein per 100 g, less than the other two, but it stands out elsewhere: it's the richest in probiotics, with far more diverse strains than regular yogurt. Its texture is liquid, meant to be drunk. It's also lower in lactose than yogurt, so easier to digest for some people.

Best for

Probiotic diversity and gut flora — drunk plain or in a smoothie.

Skyr: the highest in protein

Skyr, from Iceland, is the highest in protein of the three, with around 11 g per 100 g, and a very thick texture. Strained the Icelandic way, it's also very low in fat.

Best for

Post-workout recovery, high-protein breakfasts, or when you want to stay full for a long time.

So, which one to choose?

  • Greek yogurtversatility and availability

  • kefirprobiotic diversity

  • skyrprotein

All three are healthy and fermented, each with its own strength. The key is choosing a plain one, with no added sugar, since flavoured versions often hide a lot of it.

Want to cook with it? Greek yogurt is perfect for a cacık-style sauce, served with courgette patties or baked lentil patties.

For general information only. If you have a chronic condition, consult a healthcare professional.