For a long time, yogurt has been touted for its health benefits, ranging from gut health to possibly contributing to weight loss.¹ Did you know yogurt is full of probiotics, calcium, protein and many other healthful nutrients? However, yogurt can be chock-full of sugar. Many single-serving yogurts contain as much sugar as a Snickers candy bar! But yogurt can be part of a healthy balanced diet. Knowing how to read the label can help you decide which ones to buy and which ones to leave out of your shopping basket.

What makes yogurt healthy?

Yogurt is a great source of protein, especially the Greek varieties. Protein is digested more slowly giving you energy from your food over a longer period of time, and may keep you satiated longer than carbohydrate-rich foods.¹ This is why having yogurt at meal or snack times can help stave off the munchies later.

The vitamins in yogurt can vary depending on the brand and whether it is fortified, but vitamins that are common in most yogurts include thiamin, riboflavin, B12 and folate. Other vitamins include vitamin A and C in lesser amounts.²

Yogurt is bursting with minerals including calcium, phosphorus, and potassium.² Calcium in yogurt is more easily absorbed in the body compared to non-dairy calcium sources such as green leafy vegetables or soy milk. Calcium and phosphorus are especially important for building strong healthy bones.

Probiotics are organisms that help establish the healthy bacteria found inside your gut. These healthy bacteria may help boost immunity, crowd out bad bacteria, produce B-vitamins important in metabolism, as well as many other benefits.³ Not all yogurts have active probiotic cultures but you can check the packaging for the Live and Active Cultures stamp to guarantee that it does. This stamp is voluntary so not all yogurts will have it.⁴ Another way to check is to look at the ingredients to see if it says whether it contains live or active cultures. Foods such as yogurt covered pretzels or candies do not have active probiotic cultures.⁴

True or false?

I’m lactose intolerant so I can’t eat yogurt.

False! Some people have difficulty digesting lactose, naturally occurring milk sugar. Lactose intolerance can cause intestinal discomfort when food or beverages containing lactose are consumed. When milk is cultured to make yogurt, lactose is changed to lactic acid which reduces the lactose content considerably. Yogurt also has probiotics that help in the digestion of lactose, making yogurt an option for those with lactose intolerance.⁵

 

I don’t eat dairy so I can’t eat yogurt.

False! Vegans are individuals who don’t eat any animal products and may avoid dairy for a number of reasons. If this is true for you, finding a dairy-free yogurt alternative can help you still enjoy the taste and texture of yogurt. Alternative options include soy, coconut or almond milk based yogurts. Look for varieties that are lower in sugar, particularly those that are unsweetened, have probiotics added and are fortified with calcium.

 

All yogurts are high in sugar.

False! Sugar levels vary between types and flavors of yogurt. There is about 12 grams of naturally-occurring sugar in a plain 6 ounce container of yogurt (this may vary). 6 Higher levels on the label suggest that extra sugar was added from fruit or added sweeteners, such as dried cane syrup, agave, and honey. It is important to read the ingredients and nutrition facts label to find yogurts with lower added sugars. If you prefer the taste of sweetened yogurt, try balancing out your sugar intake over the day. For example, instead of having yogurt during the day and a helping of dessert in the evening, swap out the dessert and have the yogurt instead. You can also try sweetening plain yogurt by adding fruit. Being mindful of how much sugar you’ve had each day will allow you to maintain a balanced diet while still enjoying some of your favorite foods.

 

What to look for on the nutrition facts label

*This flavored traditional yogurt has 26 grams of sugar, about half in the form of naturally occurring lactose and the rest from added sugar and strawberries.

*Also notice the amount of protein: 5 grams.

*This plain Greek yogurt has 9 grams of naturally occurring lactose and no added sugars. Notice the only ingredient is milk.

*Also notice the amount of protein: 22 grams.

Traditional vs. greek yogurt

Greek yogurt has been under the media spotlight recently and for good reason. As you can see from the nutrition facts label above, the Greek compared to the traditional yogurt has less sugar and more protein, but there are a couple things you need to know before you start stocking your fridge with only Greek varieties. Greek yogurt is strained, which is why it has more protein and less sugar than traditional yogurt. Straining can also remove some of the sodium, whey and calcium content. Some Greek yogurt varieties are high in fat and can be very costly. Look for low-fat varieties and if your grocery budget is tight, purchase Greek yogurt when it’s on sale or stick to the traditional yogurts. Just make sure to check for low added sugar content when purchasing traditional yogurt.

How to incorporate yogurt into your diet

• Top yogurt with berries and granola to eat as a snack or for breakfast.
• Add to smoothies.
• Substitute Greek yogurt in place of sour cream.
• Freeze and enjoy as frozen yogurt.
• Plain and unsweetened yogurt makes a great addition to not only sweet, but savory recipes, too! Create yogurt-based salad dressings such as cilantro-lime dressing (see recipe below). The addition of plain yogurt provides protein and flavor without adding added sugar.
• Substitute yogurt for butter or oil in baked recipes:
  • Replace half the butter with half that amount of yogurt.
  • Replace half the oil with ¾ that amount of yogurt.
  • For example, recipes calling for 1 cup of butter or oil: replace ½ cup of the butter with ¼ cup of yogurt; replace ½ cup of oil with 6 tablespoons of yogurt.⁷

• Go Greek! Greek-yogurt is higher in protein and usually lower in sugar.

Cilantro-lime salad dressing

Ingredients:

• 1 cup chopped cilantro
• ½ cup plain Greek-yogurt
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1-2 garlic cloves
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 1-2 teaspoons of apple cider or white wine vinegar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Preparation:

Combine all ingredients into a blender or food processor and process until smooth. Serve on any salad of your choosing. Keep refrigerated.