Yoplait has been one of the most widely consumed yogurt brands since 1965.
It is made from cultured low-fat milk, sugar, and modified corn starch and is known for its thick and creamy texture.
It comes in a range of fruity flavors such as Cherry, Strawberry, Raspberry, Pineapple, Blackberry and more.
However, is Yoplait yogurt healthy?
Short answer: Yoplait yogurt is a healthy choice as it is moderate to good source of protein, high in calcium, and contains vitamins A and D. In addition, It contains beneficial probiotics, is low in sodium and offers low added sugar varieties.
Read on to find out more about Yoplait yogurt, including its ingredients, sugar, protein, calcium content and more.
Note: Yoplait yogurt is available in different varieties. However, in this post, I’ll focus solely on the original, light, and greek variety.
So let’s start.
Read also: Is Noosa Yoghurt Healthy? Everything You Need To Know
What are the ingredients in Yoplait yogurt?
The Yoplait yogurt is available in various varieties and flavors. Therefore, the exact ingredients can vary.
In general, Yoplait yogurt is made from Cultured Grade A Low Fat Milk, Sugar, Modified corn starch and water as the main ingredients.
Other common ingredients that you would find across several flavors include:
- Corn starch
- Allulose
- Sucralose
- Citric acid
- Tricalcium phosphate
- Potassium sorbate
- Acesulfame potassium
- Natural flavor
- Kosher gelatin
- Vitamin A acetate
- Vitamin D3
How much sugar is in Yoplait yogurt?
Yoplait Yogurt is high in sugar containing 19 to 21g per serving (170g) depending on the flavor.
The Yoplait yogurt original (strawberry smoothie) is the flavor with the highest sugar (21g per serving).
The sugar in Yoplait comes from both natural and added ingredients (sugar), with the majority (more than 60%) coming from added.
According to American Heart Association, the daily sugar limit for men is 36g, while for women is 24g.
Consuming just a single serving of Yoplait yogurt provides 52 to 58% of the daily sugar limit for men and 79 to 87% for women.
That’s a significant amount of daily sugar.
If you aim to reduce sugar consumption, the Yoplait Yogurt Original variety may not be the best choice.
Instead, you can opt for the light or greek varieties of Yoplait Yogurt.
Light variety contains only 1g of added sugar per serving, while the greek variety contains 2g of added sugar per serving.
These options are sweetened with alternatives such as allulose (a natural sweetener), sucralose (an artificial sweetener), and acesulfame potassium (another artificial sweetener), providing a lower sugar alternative to the Original variety.
However, it’s worth noting that light and greek varieties contain 5 to 6g of natural sugar.
Read also: The Truth Behind So Delicious Yogurt: Is It Healthy?
How much protein is in Yoplait yogurt?
Yoplait Yogurt is not a very good source of protein containing 5g per serving(170g).
The protein in Yoplait yogurt comes entirely from the Yogurt itself.
If you are seeking more protein, go for the greek variety. It contains 14 to 15g of protein per serving(150g).
Additionally, the greek variety is low in added sugar(2g per serving).
So, if you want your Yogurt to be high in protein and low in sugar, the Yoplait greek yogurt variety is a better option than the original or light variety.
Is Yoplait Yogurt high in calcium?
Yoplait Yogurt is a good source of calcium containing anywhere between 150 to 260mg per serving, depending on the flavor.
The original variety contains 26% of the daily calcium needed for adults, the Light variety contains 19 to 21%, and the Greek variety contains 15 to 16%.
Furthermore, Yoplait Yogurt also contains moderate levels of vitamin D, contributing to the overall health of your bones.
How much sodium is in Yoplait yogurt?
Yoplait yogurt(original) is low in sodium containing 75 to 115mg per serving, depending on the flavor.
That’s about 5 to 7% of the daily ideal sodium limit(1500mg) set by the American Heart Association.
The Light and Greek varieties are even lower in sodium, with 55 and 75mg per serving, respectively.
While sodium is essential to a diet, consuming too much can lead to heart-related issues.
However, with Yoplait yogurt, you don’t have to worry about excess sodium consumption.
This is good for those following a low-sodium diet.
Is Yoplait Yogurt good for weight loss?
The original variety of Yoplait yogurt is not good for weight loss due to its high sugar content. However, the light and greek varieties are low in added sugar and can be included in a weight-loss diet.
The light and greek varieties are also lower in calories, making them suitable for a weight loss diet.
However, it’s worth noting that light and greek varieties contain moderate natural sugar. If eaten excessively, they can hinder your weight loss efforts.
Remember that weight loss doesn’t depend on one food but on overall diet and lifestyle.
Is Yoplait Yogurt good for diabetics? Only the light and greek varieties of Yoplait yogurt are good options for people with diabetes. These varieties are low in added sugar and high in protein. However, it’s still important to consume them in moderation.
Does Yoplait yogurt have probiotics?
Yoplait yogurt is a good source of probiotics such as L. bulgaricus and S. thermophilus.
Probiotics are healthy bacteria that provide many health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts, such as healthy digestion and an improved immune system.
Is Yoplait Yogurt good for cholesterol? Yoplait Yogurt is low in saturated fat and dietary cholesterol, making it good for individuals with cholesterol problems.
Is Yoplait Yogurt gluten-free?
Yoplait Yogurt is gluten-free as it does not contain any gluten-based ingredients.
Is Yoplait yogurt lactose-free?
The original, light, and greek varieties of Yoplait yogurt are not lactose-free.
However, Yoplait yogurt comes in a lactose-free variety, including Strawberry and French vanilla.
These lactose-free flavors contain lactase enzyme as an ingredient that helps digest milk and milk-based products for people who are lactose intolerant.
Is Yoplait Yogurt vegan?
Yoplait Yogurt is not vegan-friendly as it contains vitamin D3 and kosher gelatin, which may be derived from animals.
Yoplait yogurt is fortified with vitamin D3. However, the specific source of vitamin D3 is not stated anywhere, which suggests it may come from animal sources like sheep’s wool.
Moreover, Yoplait Yogurt also contains kosher gelatin, typically obtained from animal collagen, making it unsuitable for those adhering to a vegan diet.
Furthermore, some Yoplait yogurt flavors, like strawberry, contain carmine(for color), which is usually made by grinding up cochineal beetles.
However, this carmine in Yoplait yogurt is naturally derived from the cochineal beetle’s dried shells.
So there’s no problem with the carmine.
It’s important that you read the ingredients labels carefully if you have specific dietary restrictions or preferences.
Final words
After looking at the ingredients and nutritional value, it can be concluded that Yoplait yogurt can be a healthy option.
There are many reasons for this, such as:
- It is a moderate to good source of protein.
- It is available in a low-added sugar variety.
- It is a good source of probiotics.
- It is high in calcium.
- It is a good source of vitamins A and D.
- It is low in sodium.
- It is gluten-free.
However, there are also some downsides to Yoplait yogurt, such as:
- The original variety is high in sugar.
- Some flavors of light variety contain artificial colors.
- Not vegan friendly.
Consuming Yoplait yogurt can be healthy as long as you choose the right variety and consume it in moderation.
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