YOGHURTS dominate the dairy aisle in supermarkets across the UK – but which ones would trusted dietitians and nutritionists put in their baskets?
Here are the pots you should be diving into to help you , and the ones to avoid.
Some supermarket yoghurts be destroying your weight loss effortsCredit: Getty
First off, it pays to be a savvy .
Many yoghurts boast being , but that often means they’re amped up with to keep them tasty.
In fact, certified online nutritionist and founder of The Health Space , Beanie Robinson, advocates for choosing full fat yoghurts that contain a variety of vitamins and .
“So often people are scared of fats, but really, if we’re having the right kind of fats, they’re going to make us feel satisfied and full,” she tells Sun Health.
“Equally, if the fat is removed from a product, the company has probably added other products or ingredients to make it a desirable texture to eat.
“In an ideal world, you’re looking for an organic, unflavoured Greek or kefir yoghurt, which are great for your gut bugs.
“But don’t worry, if that’s not accessible to you, there are plenty of options for all budgets and tastes that will help you reach those weight loss goals.”
The best diet-friendly yoghurts
1. Tesco Finest Greek Yoghurt (£2.30)
Tesco’s Greek yoghurt is a great diet-friendly optionCredit: Tesco
Thick and creamy, is a super star ingredient for .
It’s packed with , which will keep you full and satisfied, and it’s an amazing substitute for higher calorie foods.
Beanie says: “Using Greek yoghurt is great for making creamy dressings, particularly for people who love mayonnaise.
“Mix with tahini, olive oil, harissa paste or herbs and spices.”
Tesco Finest Greek Yogurt contains 132 calories, 10.3g of fat and 3.3g of sugar per serving.
2. FAGE Total 5% Fat Natural Greek Recipe Strained Yoghurt (£3.75)
Fage is another product popular with nutritionistsCredit: Sainsburys
As Beanie mentioned, full fat products are often less processed than their low fat or fat-free counterparts, which sometimes have added sugars and artificial ingredients to make up for the lack of taste.
This yoghurt could make the base for a delicious .
It contains 93 calories, 5g of fat and 3g of sugar per serving.
“Try Greek yoghurt with fresh fruits lower in sugar, such as grated apple or pear, berries and pomegranates or citrus fruits like grapefruit,” Beanie says.
3. Yeo Valley Organic Natural Greek Style Yogurt (£1.92)
Yeo Valley Greek Style Yoghurt (Natural) is a winnerCredit: Asda
Although a little pricier, Beanie would recommend an yoghurt where possible, especially for .
“Ensuring all dairy products are organic is really important for hormone balancing,” Beanie says.
“This Yeo Valley organic yoghurt is made from 100 per cent organic British milk – and that’s what we’re looking for.”
It contains 115 calories, 8.3g of fat and 4.9g of sugar per serving.
4. Biotiful Organic Kefir (£1.95)
Biotiful’s Organic Kefir Drink – Original contains no added sugarCredit: Ocado
is a gut-friendly drink made from milk, bacteria and yeast.
When added to milk, it’s super nutritious, and this drinkable form could be a great on-the-go breakfast or .
“The reason people are really into kefir yoghurt is because of its probiotics, which are helpful for promoting a healthy gut microbiome,” says Beanie.
Again, you want to make sure it’s organic and unflavoured, she adds.
Biotiful’s plain flavour contains 59 calories, 2.9g of fat and 2.8g of sugar per serving.
5. Cocos Organic Coconut Kefir (£4.10)
There are non-dairy options that won’t make you pile on the pounds tooCredit: Ocado
If you have a , this organic coconut kefir is a probiotic powerhouse.
“This is a great brand for those who want to maybe get the benefits of the kefir – the live bacteria – but can’t tolerate dairy very well,” says Beanie.
At 79 calories, 6.5g of fat and 0.5g of sugar, it ranks similarly to dairy varieties.
6. Alpro Greek Style Plain Yoghurt Alternative (£2.10)
Alpro’s offer is soy-based, which can be just as nutritious as dairyCredit: Morrisons
For Sandra Mikhail, practising dietitian and author of The Gut Chronicles , her favourite dairy alternatives are soy-based, as soy can be just as nutritious as cow’s .
“Soybeans, commonly used in dairy-free products, are a natural and nutritious source of plant-based protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals,” she says.
This dairy-free option tastes just like a thick and creamy Greek yoghurt, and contains 65 calories, 3.3g of fat and 2.2g of sugar per serving.
It also contains some great added extras including vitamin D, calcium and vitamin B12, Sandra adds.
7. Cocos Natural Organic Coconut Yogurt Alternative (£5.70)
Why not give Coco’s Organic Yoghurt Alternative a go?Credit: Ocado
Beanie highly recommends this coconut yoghurt alternative as it has very few ingredients with no added sugars, such as sucralose, maltodextrin and dextrose.
“I always encourage my clients to read the labels because the front [of the pot] is likely to have words like ‘high protein’ or ‘no sugar’, which is often enticing marketing,” she says.
It contains 199 calories, 19g of fat and 1.2g of sugar per serving.
8. Arla Skyr Natural Icelandic Style Yogurt (£1.25)
Skyr is technically cheese – but it tastes just like yoghurtCredit: Sainsburys
Skyr is another excellent choice of dairy to stock your fridge with, but what actually is it?
“Skyr is a traditional Icelandic dairy product that resembles yoghurt but is technically a type of cheese,” Sandra says.
“It’s naturally low in fat and packed with protein, making it a great choice for weight loss.”
It’s got a thick and creamy texture so it’s super filling and delicious.
Sandra recommends eating skyr, which contains 60 calories, 0.2g of fat and 4g of sugar per serving, with some cacao nibs and chopped nuts.
How ultra processed is YOUR kitchen?
Ultra processed foods (UPFs) were defined by Brazilian researchers who made the NOVA classification system. It breaks foods into groups depending on how processed they are. The most natural foods are in group 1, while the most processed are in group 4.
The groups do not entirely indicate how healthy a food is. However, it does indicate how processed it is – and studies have linked UPFs to a number of diseases.
How does your kitchen compare to the following groups?
Unprocessed or minimally processed foods (group 1)
- vegetables and fruits (fresh or frozen)
- dried fruits with no added sugar, honey, or oil
- grains and legumes (chickpeas, lentils)
- meat, poultry, fish, seafood, eggs
- milk without added sugar
- plain yogurt with no added sugar
- nuts and seeds
- spices and herbs
- tea, coffee, water
Processed culinary ingredients (group 2)
- iodized salt
- salted butter
- sugar and molasses from cane or beet
- honey extracted from combs
- syrup from maple trees
- vegetable oils crushed from olives or seeds
- butter and lard from milk and pork
- starches extracted from corn and other plants
- vegetable oils with added anti-oxidants
- vinegar with added preservatives
Processed foods (group 3)
- canned vegetables, fruits, and legumes
- fruits in syrup
- salted or sugared nuts and seeds
- salted cured or smoked meats
- canned fish
- artisanal breads and cheese
Ultra-processed foods (group 4)
- pop and fruit drinks
- sweetened yogurt
- sweet or savoury packaged snacks (e.g., cookies)
- candies and cake mixes
- mass-produced packaged breads and buns
- margarines and spreads
- breakfast cereals
- cereal and energy bars
- energy drinks
- instant soups, sauces, and noodles
- poultry and fish nuggets, hot dogs
- many ready-to-heat products: pre-prepared pies, pasta, and pizza dishes
The worst yoghurts if you’re trying to lose weight
1. Arla Protein Strawberry Yogurt (£1.45)
Protein yoghurts are popular on TikTok – but not they’re not great for you, experts sayCredit: Sainsburys
As a protein , Beanie says this is a prime example of an ultra-processed food, as it contains a load of artificial sweeteners and flavourings.
“The grape juice concentrate and maize starch are both added sugars, and the stevia – a sweetener – is a red flag,” she says.
The evidence is mixed, but artificial sweeteners are thought to disrupt the good bacteria in the gut, potentially leading to issues like diarrhoea.
Some studies also suggest artificial sweeteners cause weight gain as the foods they are in often contain few calories and are therefore not filling, encouraging people to eat more.
If you want to add flavour to yoghurt yourself, Beanie recommends doing so with real fruits.
2. Brooklea Active Fat Free Peach Yoghurt (£1.39)
Nutritionists would also steer clear of this product from AldiCredit: Aldi
This yoghurt is plastered with health claims such as ‘0 per cent fat’ and ‘no added sugar’ which might make you think that it’s an ideal choice.
But Sandra warns it’s important to take a closer look at the ingredients.
Basically, the flavourings are what’s added to make the yoghurt taste better.
“These flavourings could be artificial or natural compounds designed to mimic the taste of peach or enhance the overall flavour profile of the yoghurt,” Sandra says.
She’s certainly not a fan of the that have been added to promote good gut health either.
“There are studies suggesting that such sweeteners can negatively alter the composition of your inner ecosystem, AKA gut microbiota, which could potentially promote a bad gut,” she adds.
“I generally recommend choosing natural yoghurt flavours and topping your choice with fresh fruit for the nutrient boost.”
3. Rachel’s Luscious Multipack Yoghurt (£2.75)
Many fruity yoghurts are full of sugarCredit: Sainsburys
We might see these yoghurts as healthy as they are fruit flavoured, but in fact, sugar is the second ingredient on the label.
“Rice starch, thickeners and natural flavourings have also been added to this yoghurt, but I’d question just how ‘natural’ they really are,” says Beanie.
“Overall, I’d try to get away from purees or fruit juice concentrates.”
Essentially, when you’re next buying yoghurt, the fewer ingredients, the better!
