While all yogourts are good for you, some are better than others when it comes to addressing specific needs.
By Isabelle Huot
Diabetes.
Plain yogourt, with no added sugar, is your best choice if you have diabetes. Feel free to toss in some fresh fruit and a few nuts. You can even add 5 millilitres (1 teaspoon) of honey or maple syrup. On the other hand, yogourt sweetened with sucralose, aspartame, or stevia is less beneficial, given the potential harmful effects of artificial sweeteners. Some companies, including Riviera, Oikos, and Triple Zero, have introduced fruit yogourts containing 25% to 40% less sugar than regular yogourt, and Danone offers a product made with plain yogourt and fruit, with no sugar added.
Irritable bowel syndrome.
Activia yogourt contains a strain of probiotic (Bifidobacterium lactis) that contributes to intestinal health. It can also help with constipation.
Protein boost.
Skyr (Icelandic style) and Greek yogourts contain twice as much protein as regular yogourt, making these make good additions to a low-protein breakfast. They’re also ideal when you want a filling snack.
Weak immune system.
Fermented milk, such as kefir and DanActive, is a good option for enhancing your immune system. Yogourts containing probiotics are also useful, as they help adjust your body’s microbiota—microbes that play an essential role in immunity.
High cholesterol.
Yogourts containing 2% fat or less are lower in saturated fats, which can raise LDL (bad) cholesterol.
Photo by Tiard Schulz on Unsplash
