Finding the Healthiest Frozen Yogurt

When frozen yogurt first appeared, it was widely considered to be a healthy alternative to ice cream. However, many frozen-yogurt products were high in saturated fat and sugar, and products that were heat-treated before freezing retained none of the healthy bacteria that convert milk into yogurt via the process of fermentation.

Luckily, some frozen-yogurt manufacturers have created healthier options. You can now get frozen yogurt made with low-fat or skim milk, which is lower in calories and saturated fat than whole-milk products. But be cautious about which “fro-yo” you choose—while 95 percent of Americans think all types of frozen yogurt are healthier than ice cream, this isn’t necessarily the case.

Consider the Sugar

Even though these treats are yogurt-based, they may still be high in added sugar—in fact, frozen yogurt may have more sugar than ice cream, since some manufacturers add extra sweetener to their product to offset the yogurt’s sharp tang. A small serving often contains between three and five teaspoons of added sugar, while a larger serving may contain 20 teaspoons or more.

When you’re looking at the Nutrition Facts label, keep in mind that the grams of sugar listed on the label include sugars found naturally in the yogurt—about
5 grams per one-half cup—as well as added sugar. It will soon be easier to tell how much added sugar is in frozen yogurt, since the recently revised Nutrition Facts label will include amounts of added sugar and total sugar.

Probiotic Benefits

Many frozen yogurts contain live, active bacteria cultures that have been linked with several health benefits, including improved digestive and immune health. To be sure your frozen yogurt has probiotics, look for the National Yogurt Association’s “Live and Active Cultures” seal on the package—this signifies that the product contains at least 10 million cultures per gram. The association’s website (www.aboutyogurt.com) has a list of companies and brands that are currently approved to use the seal, but since it’s a voluntary program, some frozen yogurts without the seal may still be packed with live cultures. To find out if your favorite frozen yogurt contains probiotics, check the ingredients list for terms including L. bulgaricus and S. thermophilus. L. acidophilus is another strain of bacteria that is commonly added to yogurt to boost its probiotic properties.

No Dairy?

If you avoid milk-based products because you are lactose-intolerant or follow a vegan diet, there are many plant-based frozen yogurts available. Common options are made from soy, almond, rice, or coconut milk—but you’ll still need to check the calorie count, saturated fat, and added sugar.

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