Sugar free yogurt is popular among health-conscious individuals who put a premium on food items that carry as little sugar and calories as possible. One good reason why sugar-free yogurt is so popular is that it allows dieters to enjoy great-tasting yogurt without feeling the guilt. Sugar free yogurt is commonly eaten for breakfast, in between meals, usually as a light snack or as a quick energy booster. It provides just the right amount of fullness for your tummy, letting you go through the day without having to resort to calorie-dense foods that can greatly affect your diet. And thanks to the growing number of manufacturers and brands of sugar free yogurt, you also have more choices to suit your taste.
Sugar Free Yogurt = Guilt Free Indulgence
What exactly is yogurt made of? Per definition, yogurt is a type of dairy product that has been fermented with the use of bacterial cultures which transforms the milks basic composition of lactose and sugar into lactic acid. As a result of this process, the yogurt acquires a tart-like taste and displays a thicker texture which is almost pudding-like. Sugar free yogurt is an excellent source of beneficial minerals and vitamins such as calcium, Vitamin B-12, Zinc, Potassium and more. This makes no sugar yogurt not only a good-tasting snack to feast on, but a very healthy treat as well. Those following a low carb diet such as the Atkins diet or stage one of the P90x nutrition plan, should add sugar free yogurt to their shopping lists.
Which Yogurt Should I Get?
While most of the beneficial things mentioned above can also be found in milk, the main thing that make Yogurt unique are the live bacterial cultures present in its composition. The bacteria introduced into yogurt consume the lactose initially present thus lessening the amount of natural sugar in its final form. This is what makes yogurt a good option for health-conscious people who do mind their sugar and calorie intake. And with sugar free yogurt, it means that no artificial sweeteners have been added to ensure that you can still enjoy great tasting food without the guilt. Brands such as Dannon and Yoplait both offer their own versions of zero sugar yogurt.
It is interesting to note that there are certain factors that are considered in determining how much Carbohydrate is present in Yogurt. If the label says it was made from live bacteria cultures, it means that these living cultures were only “alive” during the fermentation process. This will let the carbohydrate levels settle down and remain on a certain level. On the other hand, if the yogurt label will say that it contains live bacteria, such as Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Bifidus, it means that the consumption of lactose is continuous thus further reducing the Carbohydrate level. So for those who are scratching their heads wondering what’s the real deal with sugar free yogurt, make sure that the ones you consume are those that contain live bacteria as they will yield a lower carb count.