We asked Hattner about her recommendations to clients who are interested in how Yogurt, probiotics and prebiotics can improve their digestive health. She stresses that while adding these "healthy bacteria" can be beneficial for adults and children, finding the right product that has the desired benefits is an individual experience.

What is the most common advice you give to clients?
I emphasize that it is so important to consider your digestive health – your "gut health." People understand naturally that if they have an upset stomach, bloating, or gas it influences their overall well-being, even if these occur only occasionally. I try to empower them to be able to identify the signs and symptoms when they may need more digestive health tools. In my book I start with the secret for wellness – within your digestive tract. As far as basic advice when people are having occasional digestive problems, I often ask, "Have you tried yogurt?"

What are the advantages of yogurt?
Yogurt has been used for hundreds of years for its perceived benefits, such as digestive health. Now we have research that confirms scientifically what people have experienced for centuries. This research shows us that yogurt has live, active bacterial cultures that can contribute to overall well-being. When we add those active bacteria, we often will shift the bacteria of the gut into a more positive position.

Are there any disadvantages to eating yogurt?
The only disadvantage is if you have true milk protein intolerance, you may well have a negative reaction to dairy-based yogurt. With lactose intolerance, you should be able to tolerate yogurt because the live and active starter cultures present in yogurt help digest lactose. Allergy and lactose intolerance are two separate things. If it’s a diagnosed dairy allergy, I do recommend soy-based yogurt.

What role can yogurt play in weight management?
Yogurt is such a well-balanced food – it provides carbohydrates and proteins and you can choose the fat content that’s right for you by choosing low-fat or non-fat yogurt. For the amount of calories in most yogurts, you’re getting several nutrients and it’s a very satiating food. And, often once people start eating yogurt, they add other healthy foods such fresh fruit and whole-grain granola to their diets.

What should people look for in a yogurt?
Yogurt is a great food for all generations from infancy to the elderly. There are so many products available in the marketplace I usually guide my clients with suggestions and let them discover the yogurt product that works best for them. I always tell my clients that they will know when they have found the right products as their body will tell them.

Yogurt can be fermented with additional probiotic strains of bacteria, including certain L. casei, L. acidophilus, L. plantarum, and Bifidobacterium. These cultures should be listed on the yogurt label. Strains of probiotics are not equal and benefits are strain specific. I usually advise that you look for the strains that offer the benefits that you’re specifically looking for. You can talk to a dietitian for guidance, or research the product’s benefits on the company’s website.

What is the role of probiotics?
Probiotics are bacteria - we actually all have bacteria in our digestive systems naturally. Scientists have isolated various strains of bacteria and have shown that when taken in an appropriate amount these bacteria can demonstrate specific benefits, such as helping to improve digestive health or helping support your immune system.