Love Greek yogurt? You're not alone. In 2012, retail sales of the creamy treat increased more than 50 percent to reach $1.6 billion, according to one report[1] -- all while non-Greek yogurt sales have decreased. Even Pinkberry has gone Greek[2] .


And this is one food trend with some health benefits behind it. Greek yogurt is packed with tons of protein (sometimes twice as much as traditional yogurt) and can help keep you full, says Toby Smithson, R.D., founder of Diabetes EveryDay[3] . Plus it's high in probiotics and low in lactose content (thanks to the straining process), which means it can be more easily digestible in people with lactose intolerance.


With an often well-deserved health halo in place, many companies have capitalized on the Greek yogurt trend, incorporating it into everything from cream cheese to hummus[4] . And it turns out you can substitute Greek yogurt into your recipes, as well. It can sub for ingredients such as sour cream, mayonnaise, cream cheese, oil and even butter -- many times without a noticeable difference in taste.


So you want to go Greek, but aren't sure how to choose the right kind? Not all yogurts are created equal: Study the labels to identify varieties that are low in calories and sugar and high in protein content.


We asked Smithson and Dawn Jackson Blatner, R.D., author of The Flexitarian Diet[5] , to offer some surprising ways to sneak Greek yogurt into your diet. Check them out, then let us know which ones you'd try.



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  • Yogurt Ranch


    Veggies and dip make for a great go-to snack. Blatner suggests modifying a traditional Ranch dip, using Greek yogurt for an even lighter, more protein-packed snack. "Mix dry ranch seasoning into plain yogurt. Use [as a] veggie dip or add lemon juice (to thin it out) and use as salad dressing," Blatner tells HuffPost.




  • Smoothie Popsicles


    Summer's not over yet -- and that means it's still frozen treat season. Make your own popsicle for the perfect refreshing, fruity snack. "Blend vanilla or plain yogurt and fruit (even spinach) until smooth, pour into popsicle molds, freeze, enjoy," Blatner says.




  • Fudgy Brownies


    Some days, it seems the only thing that will get you through is a little chocolate. Smithson suggests using Greek yogurt in a recipe for brownies. "One third cup of oil can be replaced with one fourth cup non-fat plain Greek yogurt," she says. "We would save approximately 610 calories and 72 grams fat saved and add 5 grams protein to our recipe."




  • Taco Topper


    While tacos are often known for their unhealthy toppings, you can easily lighten this dish by substituting yogurt for sour cream. "Mix dry taco seasoning into plain yogurt. Use on tacos for a flavorful sour cream stand-in," Blatner suggests.




  • Pancakes


    Try incorporating Greek yogurt into your pancake batter for a hearty breakfast treat. This <a href="http://chobani.com/kitchen/recipes/perfect-pancakes/" target="_blank">Chobani "Perfect Pancakes" recipe </a>calls for half a cup of vanilla Greek yogurt.




  • Tuna, Potato And Chicken Salad


    Packing a picnic, or scrambling to put your kid's lunch box together before school? Open a can of tuna, take out some leftover potatoes or chicken from last night's dinner, and whip up a lighter version of your favorite summer salad. Full fat or reduced fat mayo can be substituted with an equal amount of plain nonfat Greek yogurt.




  • Spinach Artichoke Dip


    Sorry to say, but just because it has the word spinach in it doesn't mean this is a light treat. Try a spinoff of the classic dip using non-fat Greek yogurt. This <a href="http://soletshangout.com/kale-spinach-artichoke-dip-with-greek-yogurt/" target="_blank">"Kale, Spinach & Artichoke Dip" recipe</a> on Gina Marie's blog <a href="http://soletshangout.com/" target="_blank">So... Let's Hang Out</a> puts a healthier twist on creamy dip.




  • Macaroni And Cheese


    Sometimes nothing is as comforting as a hot bowl of mac and cheese. Check out <a href="http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/quick-recipes/dinner/healthy-mac-n-cheese/" target="_blank">Fitness magazine's recipe</a>, which substitutes plain Greek yogurt for cream or butter.




  • Coleslaw


    For a <a href="http://chobani.com/kitchen/recipes/coleslaw/" target="_blank">lighter coleslaw</a>, try replacing some of the mayo with Greek yogurt to make up for the loss in moisture.




  • Deviled Eggs


    Deviled eggs are another mayo-heavy food that can easily be less so with a Greek yogurt substitution. Try this <a href="http://www.a-kitchen-addiction.com/lightened-up-deviled-eggs/" target="_blank">spin on the old classic</a>, from the blog <a href="http://www.a-kitchen-addiction.com/" target="_blank">A Kitchen Addiction</a>.