Because nutritionists urge us to avoid too many sweets, going Greek is a smarter choice. “Greek has a lower amount of sugar (around 5-8 grams, compared to 12 or more grams) than the regular yogurt, while still having the high levels of vitamins and minerals,” Ewoldt says.
Kefir contains more probiotics than any yogurt. With up to 61 different strains of microbes, it can be an excellent source of probiotics.
Both plain unsweetened low fat and full fat yogurt can be healthy. You can choose which type to eat based on your dietary habits, food preferences, and calorie goals. Yogurt can be made from reduced fat or full fat milk. Reduced fat yogurt is only lower in calories if it has no added sugar.
But yoghurt is actually more nutritious than milk. The main reason is that the fermentation process makes it easier to digest, so the nutrients can be absorbed more easily into the body.
"Regular intake of healthy bacteria, such as the kind from yogurt, has been shown to have positive effects on weight management and the GI tract," says Morgyn Clair, RD. "Eating yogurt daily can help you reach a healthy weight while still providing a satisfying snack."
Eating two to three servings of yogurt per week decreases sugar and caffeine cravings. This helps with weight management and improved heart health. It also reduces the risk of diabetes and age-related cognitive impairment.
One option you can't go wrong with is plain yogurt, adds dietitian Erin Coffield, RDN. "First, whether you like low-fat, whole milk, Greek or Icelandic, any plain unflavored yogurt will contain zero added sugar," she says. Greek yogurt and Icelandic yogurts also pack more protein, which promotes fullness and satiety.
Chobani Zero Sugar Yogurt
Chobani's sugar-free option is sweetened with stevia, monk fruit and allulose, so it contains 0 grams of sugar per serving (along with 11 grams of protein and 70 calories or less, depending on the flavor).
Chobani® Less Sugar Greek Yogurt* is a subtly sweet, breakfast or anytime snack that's packed with protein, made with nothing artificial, and has 40% less sugar* than similar yogurts. *Chobani® Less Sugar Greek Yogurt: 9g sugar per 5.3oz; similar yogurts without sugar substitutes: avg. 16g sugar per 5.3oz.
It can be made with nonfat milk, 2% milk, or even whole milk. Depending on the fat content of the yogurt, the calorie content could vary. Consuming one to two cups of lowfat Greek yogurt daily can be a healthy addition to your diet without making it difficult to maintain your weight.
Yogurt is known for its high protein, calcium and probiotic contents, so it's likely better than oatmeal at encouraging weight loss through a high-protein diet, staving off osteoporosis, improving bone density and treating or preventing digestive issues.
Greek yogurt is a far more nutritious option. “Six ounces contain 15 grams of protein — two to three times the amount you'd find in regular yogurt and more than the amount 2 ounces of meat or two eggs provide,” notes Hopsecger. Greek yogurt also boasts probiotics, the healthy bacteria that support gut health.
Greek yogurt is an excellent source of calcium, which can help improve bone health. It also contains probiotics, which support a healthy bacterial balance in the gut. Eating Greek yogurt may be associated with lower blood pressure and a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
Not all yogurts are healthful. Those without added sugar or unnecessary additives can be a healthful addition to the diet, but some products have high quantities of added sugar and other ingredients that may not be beneficial. Natural yogurt can be a low-calorie, high-nutrient food packed with protein.
Even though the strains of naturally-occurring probiotics in yogurt are beneficial, your yogurt may simply not have enough of it to be helpful. In order to receive the full benefit of probiotic potency, you'd need to eat more than a dozen yogurts to match the potency of an adult dose of LoveBug probiotics.
All probiotic yogurts offer the core benefits of inhibiting the growth of unfriendly bacteria, regulating bowel transit time and helping maintain a healthy gut microbial balance. Regular yogurt, which is not labelled probiotic, can't do this.
Regular and Greek yogurt are made from the same ingredients but differ in nutrients. While regular yogurt tends to have fewer calories and more calcium, Greek yogurt has more protein and less sugar — and a much thicker consistency. Both types pack probiotics and support digestion, weight loss, and heart health.