The Ultimate Guide to Yogurt
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Research is Key
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Artisanal Yogurt
Small producers favor fewer preservatives, grass-fed milk. Prices are higher. Fat runs from none to lots: "Natural" doesn't automatically mean low-fat. Some niche producers are playing up the rich, cream-on-top angle. Read your labels.
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Nondairy Yogurt
A hot category. Soy, almond, and coconut milks have less protein and require extra sugars to promote fermentationāas much as 16g. As with some dairy yogurts, plant-derived thickeners (starches, gums, etc.) are added to improve texture.
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Greek Yogurt
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Budget Yogurt
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Kefir
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What to Look For
Protein: Keeps you full longer
Strained yogurtsālike Greek and skyrārequire three to four times more milk to produce than regular, meaning 15g to 20g more protein per 6 ounces (equivalent to 3 ounces of meat!).
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Healthy Bacteria
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Low Fat and Limited Added Sugar
Six ounces of plain yogurt have about 12g of naturally occurring sugars from the milk. Fruit and honey add more. Kid-centric yogurts come in cute 4-ounce containers, but some have more sugar (as much as 17g) than "adult" 6-ouncers.
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More Calories in the Morning
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Our Favorites
"My daily breakfast companion. Add a handful of blueberries, and I'm set." āSidney Fry, Nutrition Editor
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Atlanta Fresh
"My hometown! I love the vanilla caramel. And pretty packaging doesn't hurt." āRachel Lasserre, Art Director
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Smari Organic Icelandic
"Nonfat, less tangy than some Greeks, creamy and light texture. Try the blueberry." āScott Mowbray, Editor