Most yoghurts on the supermarket shelves are marketed as ‘healthy options’ because they’re “low-fat”, “0% fat” or “zero fat”. However, believe it or not, a large percentage of these so called ‘healthy’ and ‘good for you’ yoghurts have been found to contain more sugar than cola! So beware of low-fat claims, they often mean high in sugar or artificial sweeteners.
According to the headlines recently, a study has revealed that only 9% of yoghurts stocked in British supermarkets can be classed as low sugar.
Researchers assessed the nutrient content of around 900 yoghurts/yoghurt products in 2016, and found that a typical yoghurt contained more than half an adult’s daily recommended sugar allowance (30g for people aged over 11 years). Among the worst perpetrators were yoghurts labelled “organic” and those marketed at children with total average sugars of 13.1g and 10.8g per 100g. yoghurt naturally contains a small amount of sugars called lactose, which is found in milk.
But, as Registered Nutritionist Kate Bevan-Wood points out, some yoghurts posing as health foods often contain artificial flavourings and hidden added sugars too:
“Not all yoghurts are as healthy as they seem. As a nation we have been led to believe that yoghurts are a great source of calcium, which they may be, but what about the extras they contain?”
So skip the artificially flavoured and heavily sweetened yoghurts – just because they are labelled 'organic' or 'low fat' doesn’t necessarily mean they are healthier or will help you to manage your weight any easier. Try a pot of full-fat Greek yoghurt, or one of the plain natural varieties instead and add your own berries for true natural flavour. Healthy is food that is made by nature, healthy is food in its most natural state.
