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As a child, I was under the impression that yogurt was synonymous with health. Growing up to become a food and nutrition writer, I discovered that some yogurts are essentially camouflaged desserts, packed with concealed sugars. Understanding the difference between total sugar and added sugar in yogurt is crucial, as Tara Collingwood, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD/N, ACSM-CPT, a Board Certified Sports Dietitian and co-author of the Flat Belly Cookbook for Dummies, points out. “Yogurt naturally contains lactose, so the sugar number on the label isn’t all added sugar. While some flavored yogurts may be high in added sugar, they still offer protein and essential nutrients, unlike a donut,” she notes. Therefore, a yogurt label indicating 18–22 grams of sugar doesn’t imply all of it is added sugar. “Plain yogurt typically contains 10–12g of natural lactose per cup, and flavored yogurt often has additional sugar added,” she elaborates. Let’s explore seven yogurts that have more sugar than you might expect, including some that aren’t as detrimental as one might fear.
Dannon Low-Fat Vanilla yogurt has been a beloved choice on grocery shelves for years. Each small serving contains 140 calories, with 20 of those coming from fat, alongside 7 grams of protein and 21 grams of sugar. Of those sugars, 12 grams are added.
Many of us have fond memories of indulging in those creamy Yoplait containers during childhood. The Yoplait Raspberry Mousse Whips, in particular, boasts a dessert-like texture for a reason. It contains 22 grams of sugar, with a staggering 18 grams being added sugars. This amounts to approximately 36% of your recommended daily intake of added sugar.
Dannon Low-Fat Vanilla
Dannon Low-Fat Vanilla yogurt has been a popular grocery store staple for decades. Each small cup has 140 calories, 20 of which are from fat, 7 g of protein, and 21 g of sugar. Of those, 12 grams are added sugar.
Yoplait Raspberry Mousse Whips
Who didn’t grow up eating those creamy and delicious containers of Yoplait? One popular type, Yoplait Raspberry Mousse Whips, has a dessert texture for a reason. There are 22 g of sugar, 18 of which are added sugar! That translates to an estimated 36% of your recommended daily added sugar intake.
Silk Vanilla Soymilk Alternative
There was a time when people believed that everything soy was healthier than milk products. This is not the case. “Silk soy ‘yogurt alternative’ is lower in protein and can contain added sugars,” says Collingwood.
Chobani “Flip” Cookie Dough
What do you get when you combine Greek yogurt and candy? Basically, dessert. “Chobani Flip includes mix-ins, so sugar is higher, but that’s expected given it’s partly toppings and more like a dessert product,” says Collingwood. There are 19 grams of sugar, but of those, 14 are added.
Stonyfield Organic Strawberry
Stonyfield Organic Strawberry Yogurt may seem like a much healthier option in the yogurt aisle because it’s organic. However, each serving has 16 grams of sugar, 11 of which are added.
Noosa Blueberry Yoghurt
“Noosa is indeed higher in sugar (often ~25–30g per container), but it’s also a larger serving (often 8 oz) and includes both lactose and added sugar,” says Collingwood.
Yo Crunch
My daughter’s favorite yogurt? Yo Crunch, a low-fat yogurt that comes with candy. But beware! The M&Ms version has a whopping 26 g of sugar, and all but six of those are added. And, there are just 5 g of protein per serving.