The Best And Worst Yogurts For Your Health, According To Nutritionists

Yogurt is loaded with good-for-you properties, like probiotics and calcium (good for gut health and bone density!) and the ability to keep us full for a while (great for weight loss or maintenance!). But a trip down the dairy aisle of your local grocery store can be an overwhelming experience because, well, there are a lot of yogurt options to choose from. And they’re not all exactly healthy.

Nutritionists will be the first to tell you that not all yogurts are created equal. Some will deliver a healthy dose of probiotics, fat and protein, while others are straight-up sugar bombs and deliver next to no health benefits.

To get a clearer picture, we asked dietitians to name the best and worst yogurts at the grocery store. These were their picks.  

Best:Stonyfield Organic Greek Yogurt

This yogurt is low in saturated fat, contains no added sugar and is an excellent source of protein, according to Mary Wirtz, a registered dietitian and consultant for Mom Loves Best. She recommends the 0% fat option. “It’s also organic and non-GMO project verified,” she said. “Topping this Greek yogurt with a drizzle of raw honey, berries and slivered almonds is a fantastic protein-rich breakfast to include regularly.”

Worst: Greek Gods Maple with Honey Flavored Yogurt

“This yogurt is very high in saturated fat and also contains 23g of sugar (15g of added sugars) per 1 cup serving,” Wirtz said. “Unfortunately, that is more sugar than five Oreo cookies.”

Best: Maple Hill Organic Grass-Fed Yogurt

This yogurt contains 15 grams of protein, 0 grams of added sugar, simple ingredients and is made from the milk of grass-fed cows, making it a great option, according to Tamar Samuels, a registered dietitian and the co-founder of Culina Health. “It has a tart taste, but we love adding toppings like fresh fruit, chopped nuts, raw oats, and one to two teaspoons of honey or all-natural maple syrup for sweetness and texture,” Samuels said.

Worst: Dannon Fruit On The Bottom

“This yogurt has around 20 grams of sugar depending on the flavor, and sugar is listed second on the ingredient list,” Samuels said. “This product also has several additives and preservatives, including modified food starch and carrageenan.”

Best: Fage Greek Yogurt

Made without any preservatives or artificial sweeteners or flavors, Fage Greek yogurt is a favorite of registered dietitian Karina Tolentino. She especially loves the 2% Total Split Cup with the fruit separated out on one side (the strawberry flavor is a great option), so you don’t have to add all of it. “It has a smooth and creamy taste that is not tart, gives 12 grams of protein, and is not high in sugar,” she said.

Worst: So Delicious Vanilla Coconutmilk Yogurt 

While registered dietitian Stephanie Csaszar loves the idea of non-dairy yogurts, she said you should probably skip the So Delicious Vanilla Coconutmilk Yogurt. “It has next to no protein (less than 1 gram per 3/4-cup serving), only 2 grams of fiber, and too many added sugars at 17 grams ― that’s over 4 teaspoons of sugar!” she said.