Only Greek yogurt passes the ‘low sugar’ test

Apart from Greek yogurt, almost all other yogurts on British supermarket shelves proved to have more sugar than the recommended daily requirement, according to a new study.

The levels were significantly higher even in "organic" style yogurts and also baby and kids yogurts were high in sugar.

Researchers at Leeds University, headed by nutritionist Doctor Bernadette Moore, who published the research in the British medical journal, analysed 921 yogurts available in large British supermarkets. With the exception of Greek yogurt, the average sugar levels were found to be well above the five grams per 100-gram servings of yogurt required by the European Union to be considered a product entitled to have a"green" labeling as a low-fat food.

Only 9 percent did not exceed the recommended sugar limits, while for children's yogurts the figure was only 2%.

"Even yogurts with the label 'organic' which are often considered the healthiest, are actually high in sugar," Moore said.

Greek yogurts have been found to have a very different nutritional profile, containing much higher protein levels, carbohydrates, and less sugar than all other yogurts. Greek yogurt is also high in good bacteria, calcium, iodine and vitamin B.

According to the report, while yogurt may be less of a concern than soft drinks and fruit juices – the chief sources of free sugars in both children’s and adults’ diets – what is worrying is that yogurt, often perceived as a healthy food, maybe an unrecognised source of sugar in the diet.

“Getting into the habit of eating Greek yogurt with fresh, whole fruit for sweetness would add no free sugar and would have the added benefit of contributing to the five a day recommendation for fruit and veg,” added Moore.