We Asked 3 Registered Dietitians for the Healthiest Yogurt Brand, and They All Said the Same One

Key Takeaways

• Dietitians agree that the healthiest yogurt should be low in added sugar, high in protein, and contain live active cultures for gut health.

• Siggi’s Icelandic yogurt is their top pick, offering simple ingredients, minimal added sugar, and about 16 grams of protein per serving.

• Beyond dairy options, Siggi’s also makes non-dairy yogurts with coconut milk and pea protein, providing a lower-sugar, probiotic-rich choice for plant-based eaters.

As far as nutritional content goes, yogurt has a lot to offer. Not only does it provide gut-friendly probiotics, but it contains satiating protein and bone-supporting minerals too. Yogurt can also serve as a base for nutritious recipes, whether you’re making fruit smoothies or simple herb dips. But with so many brands of yogurt to choose from, shopping for the ingredient can be overwhelming. When nutrition is your top priority, what should you look for when buying yogurt? And which brand stands out above the rest? To find out, we asked three dietitians to share their top pick for the healthiest yogurt brand, according to their expertise.

What To Look for in Yogurt

If you’d like to prioritize nutrition when buying yogurt, dietitians recommend considering the following criteria.

Meet Our Expert

• Emer Delaney, RD, a registered dietitian and founder of My Private Dietitian

• Elizabeth Pecoraro, MS, RDN, LD, a registered dietitian, cookbook author, and founder of Eating Healthy Nutrition, PLLC.

Minimal Added Sugar

“If you want to choose the healthiest type [of yogurt], my go-to advice is to look at the amount of added sugar,” says registered dietitian Emer Delaney, RD. This is especially important for low-fat or reduced-calorie yogurts, which are made by replacing fat with sugar, per Delaney. This ensures the final product still tastes good. Registered dietitian Samantha Peterson, MS, RD, echoes this notion, sharing that many flavored yogurts can sneak in more sugar than a dessert.

Thus, if you’d like to lose weight, control your blood sugar, or build muscle, it’s worth paying attention to the amount of added sugar in your yogurt (and your overall diet), notes Delaney. Look for a yogurt with six to eight grams of added sugar per serving, advises Peterson. You can also opt for plain yogurt, then add sweeteners like date syrup or honey, starting at one to two teaspoons, she adds.

Protein Content

A good yogurt should keep you satisfied for a few hours, notes Peterson. This is primarily due to protein, an essential nutrient that supports satiety and reduces hunger. So, choose a yogurt that has at least 10 grams of protein per serving, suggests registered dietitian Elizabeth Pecoraro, MS, RDN, LD. While you’re at it, pick Greek or Icelandic yogurt, if possible. These styles tend to have more protein than regular varieties, according to Peterson.

Live and Active Cultures

“These beneficial bacteria support a healthy gut microbiome, which can improve digestion, immune health, and even mood,” shares Peterson. To ensure your yogurt contains these probiotics, check the container for the “Live & Active Cultures” seal or specific strains like Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum, notes Pecoraro.

Personal Needs

“Ultimately, the healthiest choice depends on your personal needs,” says Delaney. For example, if you’re trying to build muscle and lose weight, pick a yogurt that’s higher in protein to help control your appetite and support muscle growth, she explains. Or, if you’d like to control your blood sugar levels, “go for the unsweetened or low-sugar options and add some fruit for natural sweetness or a bit of cinnamon for extra flavor,” advises Delaney. Finally, “if you’re vegan or lactose-intolerant, fortified plant-based yogurts are going to be your best fit,” Delaney adds. Examples include almond, soy, or coconut yogurts, she points out. In this case, choose a product with added calcium and vitamin D, as some plant-based yogurts are naturally lower in these nutrients than those made with cow’s milk.

The Healthiest Yogurt Brand

Siggi’s wins first place as the healthiest yogurt brand, according to all three dietitians. Overall, the brand checks the boxes mentioned earlier.

Not only do Siggi’s Icelandic yogurts boast simple ingredients lists, but nearly every variety is low in added sugar, Pecoraro points out. “While some of their flavored options do have added sugar, it’s minimal compared to typical fruit-on-the-bottom brands,” she adds.

Additionally, at 16 grams of protein per serving, “it’s a great snack after your workout or a brilliant addition to your meals to help increase your protein intake,” Delaney says. Siggi’s also provides calcium and vitamin B12, which support bone health and energy production, respectively, Peterson notes.

But that’s not all: Siggi’s yogurts contain live bacteria, including Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus acidophilus, which means it’s great for your gut health, according to Delaney. Peterson agrees, sharing that “the live, active cultures feed your gut’s ‘good’ bacteria, which support digestion and overall gut balance.”

Finally, Siggi’s non-dairy yogurts are made with coconut milk, which are also lower in sugar than many other plant-based brands, shares Pecoraro. These varieties contain added protein (in the form of pea protein) and live cultures as well.

Read the original article on Real Simple