Many yogurts marketed as healthy options come with surprising levels of added sugar.
As a child, I thought yogurt was a nutritious choice, a belief that shifted as I delved into food and nutrition writing. Surprisingly, many yogurts are essentially dessert in disguise, stuffed with hidden sugar. It’s crucial to differentiate between total sugar and added sugar in yogurt, remarks Tara Collingwood, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD/N, ACSM-CPT, a Board Certified Sports Dietitian and co-author of the Flat Belly Cookbook for Dummies. “Yogurt naturally has lactose, so the sugar amount on the label isn’t entirely added sugar. While some flavored yogurts can pack in added sugar, they also deliver protein and essential nutrients. They simply are not the same as indulging in a donut.” This means that yogurt with a label showcasing 18–22 grams of sugar does not imply that all of it is added sugar. “Most plain yogurt contains about 10–12g of natural lactose per cup, with flavored varieties having extra sugar added,” she states. Below are seven yogurts that surprisingly contain more sugar than expected, accompanied by some that may not be as detrimental to your health as presumed.
Dannon Low-Fat Vanilla
Dannon Low-Fat Vanilla yogurt, a popular choice for many years, has each cup containing 140 calories, with 20 calories from fat, 7g of protein, and 21g of sugar. Out of this, 12 grams are added sugar.
Yoplait Raspberry Mousse Whips
Walmart
We all enjoyed those creamy containers of Yoplait during our childhood. The Yoplait Raspberry Mousse Whips, with its delightful dessert-like texture, has 22g of sugar, with 18g being added sugar. This accounts for approximately 36% of your recommended daily added sugar intake.
Silk Vanilla Soymilk Alternative
Target
It was once believed that any soy product was a healthier alternative to dairy. This assumption is misleading. “Silk soy ‘yogurt alternative’ typically has less protein and can be topped with added sugars,” explains Collingwood.
Chobani “Flip” Cookie Dough
Target
What happens when Greek yogurt meets candy? You essentially get dessert. “Chobani Flip features mix-ins, which accounts for the increased sugar content, but that’s understandable due to its topping nature,” notes Collingwood. It contains 19 grams of sugar, with 14 grams being added.
Stonyfield Organic Strawberry
Target
Stonyfield Organic Strawberry Yogurt might appear to be a healthier selection due to its organic label. Nonetheless, each serving comes with 16 grams of sugar, 11 of which are added sugar.
Noosa Blueberry Yoghurt
Target
Noosa yogurt has a reputation for being higher in sugar, often containing between 25–30g per container. However, it’s notable that this serving size is larger (typically 8 oz) and includes both lactose and added sugars,” states Collingwood.
Yo Crunch
Target
Yo Crunch yogurt is a favorite among many children, especially the low-fat version mixed with candy. Yet, beware. The M&M’s edition packs in 26g of sugar, with a staggering 20g of that as added sugar, along with just 5g of protein per serving.
