Yogurt is a delicious, creamy, slightly tangy way to start your day. But some varieties are better for you than others. And, when choosing the healthiest yogurt, experts have a clear favorite.
It’s probably no surprise that dietitians love yogurt — and they have good reason to. “It’s a lovely food and it offers a number of health benefits,” Caroline Susie, a registered dietitian based in Dallas, tells TODAY.com.
“There’s a lot of research suggesting that yogurt can improve your gut health by increasing the good-for-you bacteria (in your gut),” explains Susie, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Eating yogurt is also associated with lower blood pressure, she adds.
And, depending on the type of yogurt you’re eating, it can contain a hefty amount of protein and fat, which contributes to satiety and may “help people that might be managing their weight,” Susie says.
“Yogurt is also a good source of other micronutrients, especially calcium and vitamin D,” Whitney Linsenmeyer, Ph.D., assistant professor at Saint Louis University and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, tells TODAY.com.
Together, the nutrients in yogurt support gut health, heart health, weight management and the condition of your bones and muscles. But some types of yogurt are healthier for you than others.
What makes yogurt healthy?
All yogurt will provide some nutrient benefits, like calcium and vitamins. But some yogurts can contain a surprisingly high amount of added sugar — or surprisingly little protein.
Walking down the dairy aisle can be “like a geography lesson” when looking at yogurt, Susie says. And your first step should be looking at the nutrition label, she adds.
Minimal added sugar
First, check the label for added sugar, Linsenmeyer advises. “What you want to look out for is the added sugar because it’s just sneaky,” Susie agrees.
The American Heart Association recommends minimizing the amount of added sugar you eat in a day, limiting intake to…
Read the full article here
