A review article asked “Is yogurt healthy?” It then discussed the merits of yogurt as a probiotic source. In addition it noted that the so-called “fruit yogurts” are unhealthy.
Many people have lost valuable gut bacteria from antibiotics, from processed foods with food preservatives and from sugar overconsumption. Sugar overconsumption can lead to yeast overgrowth. This will disbalance the normal gut flora.
Refrigerated yoghurt was made from pasteurized milk. It contains Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. Regulations require that yogurt contain at least 100 million bacteria per gram of yogurt. This is at the time of manufacture.
If people consume yogurt regularly they obtain a significant amount of healthy bacteria in their gut. Some of it gets inactivated in the travel through the stomach where acid can reduce some of the original bacteria. But when they arrive in the small and large intestine, they will multiply and counter less desirable bacteria.
Is fruit yogurt healthy?
In grocery stores we encounter hundreds of fruit yogurt varieties. Before you buy (I strongly advice you not to buy), be aware that there is a lot of sugar in it. Plain skim milk yogurt contains 14 grams of protein per serving size (245 grams). Sugars are 19 grams (mostly lactose), calories 137.
In comparison fruit yogurt contains 11 grams of protein, 47 grams of sugar (from yogurt, fruit and syrup) in the same serving size with a calorie count of 250.
It does not require an Einstein that this is a terrible concoction and is definitely unhealthy for you. The problem is that it tastes OK and people buy it. But you are taking in unhealthy amounts of extra sugar that gets metabolized in your liver into fatty substances. These end up in your belly as fat deposits. Unfortunately the fat does not just rest there, but gets metabolized and clogs up your arteries.
Consider instead plain Greek yogurt. It contains 24.5 grams of protein in a serving size of 245 grams. It has only 9.8 grams of sugar (lactose) and 130 calories. Plain Greek yogurt is your best deal, because it has the most protein, the least amount of sugar and fewer calories.
You may also want to take a daily probiotic supplement with 60-80 million mixed probiotic bacteria from the health food store.
Is Yogurt healthy?
Conclusion
Is yogurt healthy? Commercials about various fruit yogurts (with sugar in them) constantly bombard us. Don’t fall for them. Stick to plain yogurt. If you want to use fruit in them, get some fresh berries like strawberries, blueberries, blackberries or raspberries and incorporate them in your plain yogurt. Make sure that these fruits are unsweetened! If you feel that you would like more sweetness, add a tiny bit of natural stevia sweetener and stir it in. Enjoy this as a perfect dessert. It will keep your gut flora healthy and puts a perfect finish to a healthy dinner.
