There are hundreds of varieties of yogurt to choose from these days, but if you’re looking out for your waistline and blood sugar levels, be sure you stay away from certain yogurts with too much sugar. I encourage you to flip over the container of yogurt and read the ingredient list before you just snatch it up due to fancy marketing claims on the front of the package. Most all yogurts out there are laden with more sugar than a doughnut! Sugar is one of the worst ingredients for your brain and body, so avoid these yogurts with too much sugar and always opt for the plain varieties as the best option.
Yoplait is one of the most popular brands of yogurts out there, but it also makes many of the worst yogurts with too much sugar. There is no Yoplait yogurt that doesn’t have added sugars, including the Greek, 100 calorie, and fat-free options. You’re best off avoiding this brand altogether, despite the marketing hype it receives.
Yoplait is a French yogurt brand that has been around since 1965. It is owned by the multinational food company, General Mills, and is one of the most popular yogurt brands in the world. Yoplait offers a wide variety of yogurt flavors, including traditional flavors such as strawberry, blueberry, and vanilla, as well as more unique flavors such as key lime pie and raspberry cheesecake.
Unfortunately, all Yoplait yogurts contain added sugars, regardless of the type. This includes the Greek, 100 calorie, and fat-free options. According to the American Heart Association, added sugars should make up no more than 5% of total daily calorie intake. A single serving of Yoplait yogurt can contain up to 17 grams of sugar, which is more than three times the recommended daily limit.
Yoplait also uses artificial sweeteners in some of their yogurts, such as aspartame. Aspartame has been linked to a variety of health issues, including headaches, dizziness, and even cancer. Therefore, if you are looking for a healthier alternative to Yoplait, you should consider looking for yogurt brands that do not contain artificial sweeteners.
I’m a huge fan of Chobani’s plain, nonfat Greek yogurt but their flavored options need some work. They still include high amounts of sugar in some form or another, even in the 100 calorie varieties. Always go for the light blue Chobani label, which only has 4 grams of sugar per 6 ounce container. It comes straight from plain, hormone-free, cultured, fat-free milk!
Chobani is a leading brand in the Greek yogurt industry. It's a favorite among health-conscious consumers because of its low-calorie, fat-free, and protein-rich yogurt options. However, many of its flavored varieties contain high amounts of sugar, which can be detrimental to one's health.
The light blue Chobani label is the best option for those looking to limit their sugar intake. It contains only 4 grams of sugar per 6 ounce container, and it is made with hormone-free, cultured, fat-free milk. The light blue label is also lower in calories than the other flavored varieties.
If you're looking for a healthier alternative to Chobani, there are many other brands that offer lower-sugar options. For example, Siggi's and Fage have plain yogurt varieties that contain no added sugar. You can also opt for plain yogurt with fresh fruit and a touch of honey for a delicious and nutritious snack.
Fruit’s not all that’s in the bottom of this yogurt- you’ll also find 24-30 grams of sugar in most varieties, before fruit is even listed on the ingredient list. Instead, go for Dannon’s Oikos plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt as the healthiest option from this mainstream brand.
Dannon Fruit on the Bottom is a popular yogurt from the mainstream brand Dannon. It is usually found in the dairy section of most grocery stores. However, despite its popularity, it is best avoided due to its high sugar content. Most varieties of this yogurt contain 24-30 grams of sugar, making it one of the unhealthiest options from this brand.
Sugar is one of the leading causes of weight gain and obesity. It is also linked to other health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, and cavities. Eating too much sugar can also lead to fatigue, headaches, and mood swings. Therefore, it is important to be mindful of the amount of sugar you consume.
Fortunately, Dannon does offer a healthier yogurt option. Their Oikos plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt is a much better choice than the Fruit on the Bottom variety. It contains no added sugar and is a good source of protein, calcium, and probiotics. It also has fewer calories and carbohydrates than the Fruit on the Bottom yogurt.
Coffee and vanilla sound delightful, right? Well, they may be delectable flavors but with 25 grams of sugar, you’d be much better off blending plain yogurt with a little coffee, vanilla extract, or even fresh coffee beans for a healthier option.
Dannon Drinks come with around 28 grams of sugar in just one 7 ounce container, which is almost as bad as the sugar in most soda brands! Don’t drink your sugar, especially when it’s masked as a good source of calcium and probiotics.
Activia is actually a great yogurt to choose if you choose the light, no-sugar-added varieties (which are only 60 calories apiece). The kind you want to avoid is regular Activia, which resembles the light varieties in appearance, so be careful to pay attention to which type you buy. Sugar actually destroys good gut bacteria and the point of probiotics, especially those in Activia, is to rebuild inner gut bacteria to a healthy level. Go with Activia Light or Activia Greek Light for the best, no-sugar-added options.
Regular Activia is a yogurt that is marketed as a probiotic, but it is important to note that the regular variety contains added sugar. In comparison, the light, no-sugar-added varieties are only 60 calories per serving and are a much healthier option. Additionally, the regular variety is often difficult to distinguish from the light varieties, so it is important to pay close attention when selecting the product. Consuming sugar can actually reduce the effectiveness of probiotics, so it is best to avoid regular Activia to ensure that the probiotics are doing their job of rebuilding healthy gut bacteria.
This trendy new yogurt might seem like the healthier option but it, too, is a sneaky source of sugar you’ll want to avoid. In fact, right after milk is listed on the label comes cane sugar. Though it’s less refined than pure white sugar, as you know- sugar is sugar is sugar, plain and simple.
Give yourself the healthier option in the yogurt department and always stick with plain, plain Greek, or no-sugar-added varieties. You can always add stevia (which is sugar free and all natural), along with fresh or frozen fruit to sweeten it up the healthier way. What yogurts do you typically buy each week?
Sources: yoplait.com, chobani.com, dannon.com, dannon.com, dannon.com, activia.us.com, noosayoghurt.com, drhyman.com