Some Greek Yogurts Come With As Much Sugar As A Candy Bar

You may have heard Greek yogurt is better for you than the regular variety, but is that really true? Turns out there is a legit reason more people are making the switch: Depending on the brand, Greek yogurt has twice as much (or more!) protein as a normal tub, according to Bonnie Taub-Dix, RDN, the author of Read It Before You Eat It. That means you need to know which Greek yogurt brands to pick, and our experts are here to help.

First, let's get clear on how Greek yogurt is different. Greek yogurt starts with the same ingredients as regular yogurt, explains

Meredith Rofheart, RD, a registered dietician at Culina Health, but it's strained after fermentation, resulting in a yogurt with about twice as much protein as its regular counterpart. That additional protein helps your body in many ways, including supporting muscle repair and keeping you fuller longer.

Plus, yogurt is a good source of zinc and selenium, both of give your immune system a boost. Straining also gives Greek yogurt less carbs and sugar. "Because it’s lower in carbs and higher in protein and fat, it’s a great choice for those aiming to stabilize their blood sugar levels and avoid a major spike," says Rofheart. "Regulating blood sugar is important for steady hormone signaling, mood, energy levels, cravings, and crashes."

And like most fermented foods, Greek yogurt naturally contains probiotic cultures (and some varieties contain added probiotics) that support your digestive system. Pro tip: To get your best dose of these, look for the words "live and active cultures" on the label.

You should also pay special attention to the added ingredients on the label. If you see anything that ends with an "-ose" (looking at you, sucrose), you run the risk of having a situation where the sugars outweigh the benefits.

If you're ready to add more parfaits or yogurt bowls to your life, but find yourself overwhelmed by the number of options in the dairy aisle these days, streamline your next shopping trip with these nutritionist-backed picks.