The skinny on yogurt: Some have as many calories as two cheeseburgers
December 21, 2011
MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE
We’ve all heard that yogurt is one of the top foods for weight loss, but did you know you might be sabotaging your diet with the kind of yogurt you choose?
Here are five things to keep in mind:
• Many fruit-on-the-bottom varieties are loaded with more sugar than a Kit Kat bar. If plain yogurt is too tart for your taste, add banana slices or a teaspoon of antioxidant-rich maple syrup.
• Greek yogurt is all the rage, but a serving of the full-fat version packs 20 grams of fat — about as much as two McDonald’s cheeseburgers. The low-fat kind has more protein and is just as thick as the original.
• Sugary add-ons pile on needless calories and preservatives. Even granola detracts from yogurt’s health credentials because of the added calories. Make yogurt healthier with the right topping, such as walnuts, which are rich in omega-3s.
• A yogurt smoothie is often a milkshake in disguise. Some have as many calories as an ice cream sundae. Mix up your own smoothie with unsweetened frozen berries, plain yogurt and a splash of milk.
• You aren’t necessarily getting the health benefits of yogurt if you choose the frozen kind. Make sure the package says the probiotic cultures are “live and active.”
Featured Sponsored Listings