Sugar Substitutes
You might think that “zero sugar” means no sweeteners. But that label claim and similar ones, such as “light” or “2 grams sugar,” are more often code words for sugar substitutes, such as allulose, stevia, or sucralose. We didn’t test any yogurts with nonsugar sweeteners because research suggests that they may pose health risks and may not actually help people lose weight.
Gums and Thickeners
Many yogurts contain some kind of thickener. Often it’s pectin, a type of fiber in apples and citrus fruit. But it can also be guar gum, locust bean gum, or other gums. For some people, these can cause abdominal discomfort, so if you’re sensitive to gums, check ingredients lists. You may want to skip yogurts that have them.
Frozen Yogurt
This is a form of yogurt, but not all of them offer live, active cultures and their health benefits. You have to check the ingredients list for terms like “live & active cultures” or “yogurt cultures,” or specific bacteria to know.
Is it a better choice than ice cream? Maybe. For instance, while Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia frozen yogurt and its same-name ice cream have similar amounts of protein and calcium, the yogurt has fewer calories (230 vs. 340), saturated fat (3 grams vs. 13), and added sugars (22 grams vs. 31). But that’s still a lot of calories and sugars.
