If you have seen the Dannon Yogurt Activia Challenge commercials you may have wondered if this product really works. I know I did. I’ve always been a fan of Dannon spokesperson, Jamie Lee Curtis, but never a big fan of yogurt. However, after being diagnosed with an ulcer my physician recommended adding probiotics to my diet and suggested trying Activia yogurt.
The Dannon Yogurt Activia Challenge website claims by eating this brand of yogurt consumers can improve their digestive health. According to Dannon, the key ingredient that can lead to better health is Bifidus Regularis; a living culture that “survives passage through the digestive tract.”
Participating in the Activia Yogurt Challenge requires a commitment to consume the product for 14 days. When combined with a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle, Dannon states their product will provide results and backs up their claim with a money-back guarantee.
Soon after the ulcer diagnosis, my daughter mentioned she had been eating Activia yogurt and really enjoyed it. When she came for a week-long visit, we stocked up on vanilla Activia and mixed it with fresh blueberries and strawberries. I was pleasantly surprised by the light flavor and creamy consistency of the product.
The thing I disliked about yogurt products tried in the past is the sour aftertaste. The vanilla flavored Activia was slightly sweet and did not have a hint of sourness. Combining the yogurt with fresh fruit reminded me of a healthy dessert which made me want to eat it more often. After all, who doesn’t want to eat dessert for breakfast?
Although I liked the taste of Activia yogurt, I still wasn’t convinced the product would do all it claims. I scoured Dannon’s website to learn more about the product and also conducted research on the health benefits of yogurt.
At WebMD.com, I discovered yogurt can help prevent osteoporosis; reduce high blood pressure; help gastrointestinal conditions including irritable bowel syndrome; discourage vaginal infections; and help you feel fuller.
The same article shared suggestions for improving the health benefits of yogurt such as adding fruit to boost fiber intake; incorporating flaxseed with fruit and yogurt smoothies; and substituting yogurt for sour cream, butter and oil in baked goods.
After discovering the multiple health benefits of yogurt, I went to the Activia Challenge website and subscribed to their mailing list to receive a $1 discount coupon. My local grocer had Activia products on sale, so I stocked up and decided to fully commit to the 14-day challenge.
Armed with blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, along with two 24-ounce containers of vanilla yogurt, I was eager to see if Dannon yogurt would live up to their promise. Within four days, I noticed I wasn’t feeling as bloated as usual, nor was I quite as sluggish.
Mornings are the worst part of the day for me and usually require three cups of strong brewed coffee to get my brain up and running. Instead of downing a cup of Joe, I switched to one cup of fresh berries and 1/2-cup of Activia, along with an 8-ounce glass of water.
Due to an increase in energy, I found I looked forward to taking a 30-minute morning walk. Between the Activia and walking, the first week of the 14-day challenge netted a 5-pound weight loss which was an unexpected bonus.
By the 8th day of the Activia challenge, I found I was sleeping better and the painful leg cramps I experienced daily had disappeared. I can only assume this was the result of increasing my daily intake of calcium.
At the end of the 14-day challenge, I had lost 9 pounds. I am a firm believer that eating yogurt does indeed cause you to feel fuller. I noticed my food intake had considerably decreased, along with my desire to eat sweets late at night. If I did get a craving for something sweet, I’d put together a bowl of fresh fruit and a half cup of Activia.
I recently completed my personal 30-day Activia challenge. The bloating and stomach cramps have disappeared, along with constipation, leg cramps, insomnia, and frequent headaches. I no longer take over-the-counter antacids. I have more energy and less brain fog. And, I lost 12 pounds.
If anyone were to ask me if the Activia Challenge works, I would tell them a resounding YES! However, as the website says, it works in combination with a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.
As I continue to work towards improving my health, I have chosen to include Activia yogurt as part of my daily routine. I prefer the vanilla flavor because it tastes great with fresh fruit. I have found that purchasing the 24-ounce containers is less expensive than the four packs.
If you are experiencing digestive problems, I recommend giving the 14-day Activia Challenge a try. Subscribe to the mailing list at ActiviaChallenge.com to obtain a $1 coupon. If the product doesn’t work, follow directions provided at the site and Dannon will reimburse you up to $12.
Sources:
Dannon Yogurt – http://activia.us.com/
Activia Challenge – www.ActiviaChallenge.com
WebMD – Health Benefits of Yogurt – http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/benefits-of-yogurt
