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10 Best Healthy Yogurts for Digestion and More in the UK 2021
Yogurt makes a delicious snack or fuss-free breakfast and can be great for digestion and bone health. But finding a healthy one can be tricky since brands often pack their products with hidden sugars and unnatural flavourings. Onken, Alpro and Yeo Valley all have a huge range; but which is the best? Whether you prefer low-fat, Greek-style, flavoured or dairy-free vegan yogurt, it’s good to be aware of what makes a yogurt healthy and what to avoid.
To help you pick a satisfying, creamy yogurt that will give you a boost of protein, calcium, and probiotics without unnecessary calories or a sugar overload, we have come up with a list of the ten best products available in the UK. We've also sought out nutritionist Jenna Hope's advice to give you a better insight into the versatility and benefits that yogurt has to offer.
- Last updated: 16-03-2021
- 50,010 views
Table of Contents
With Specialist Consultation From Nutritionist Jenna Hope
Jenna Hope has an undergraduate and a master's degree in nutrition. She is registered with the Association for Nutrition and is hugely passionate about ensuring that products which claim to be healthy really are as they say. Jenna works with individuals, brands, corporate clients, and the media to help people with the smart ways nutrition can change their life.
Keep up-to-date with Jenna through her website and Instagram page where she shares her advice on not only nutrition but also mental wellness and some absolutely delicious, yet healthy recipe ideas for you to try at home!
How to Choose a Healthy Yogurt in the UK – Buying Guide
There are tons of yogurts on the market all claiming to boost your health and taste like a dream, but what we look for in a yogurt needs to be guided by our desired outcomes, body type and health habits. Let’s have a look at what a healthy yogurt contains and what is best avoided when buying one of these creamy snacks.
Know What Nutritional Information to Look for in a Healthy Yogurt and What to Avoid
When picking a yogurt, you should look for a certain balance of nutrition if you want to get the best from your creamy snack. Here are our tips on what brings benefits to a yogurt and what can make them unhealthy.
To Lose Weight, Reduce Risk of Heart Disease and Avoid Energy Slumps, Look For Yogurts With a Low Sugar Content
Oh, sugar: the white stuff is cited as being the biggest cause of weight gain and retention, so if you’re trying to slim down the sugar content should be your first port of call. As well as weight gain, sugar is also believed to increase our risk of heart disease, diabetes and acne.
Another issue with sugary yogurts is that they give us a burst of energy followed by a slump. This can mean gloomy feelings, lethargy or both; exactly the opposite of what a protein-rich yogurt should do for our energy levels and mood. For a healthy yogurt, seek out a product with no more than 5g of the sweet stuff per 100g.
Nutritionist
Jenna Hope
Some Fat Can Be Good, But Read the Label to Avoid Yogurts With Too Much Saturated Fat
Though it seems logical that a healthy yogurt will be lower in fat – especially when we’re trying to get in shape – studies suggest people who consume normal or full-fat dairy products lose weight more quickly than those who opt for low-fat alternatives.
According to the UK’s National Health Service, a little fat is essential as part of a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Our bodies can’t produce fatty acids themselves, so we need some in our diets as they help us absorb essential minerals and nutrients such as vitamin A, D and E.
Saturated fats are what we need to avoid when choosing a healthy yogurt, as these fats can raise cholesterol. It’s recommended that men should take in no more than 30g of saturated fat each day, and women no more than 20g. When picking a yogurt, the healthiest option should be one with 1.5g of saturates per 100g or less.
It’s worth keeping in mind that low-fat products can be perfectly healthy too. The key is to check they have a healthy sugar content because extra sugar is often used in low-fat yogurts to compensate for flavour. A yogurt low in sugar and fat is, of course, win-win!
Nutritionist
Jenna Hope
Check the Label for the Protein, One of Yogurt’s Biggest Benefits
One of the key benefits of eating yogurt is to take in protein, which contributes to muscle growth and cell reproduction. We are advised to eat a good amount of protein per day: 56g for the average man and 46g for the average woman, so yogurt can be an important source of this tissue-building nutrient.
A yogurt with 10g of protein per 100g is considered a high-protein food, but even yogurts containing as little as 3g of protein provide a worthwhile amino acid boost (the compounds found in protein which promote healthy growth.)
Nutritionist
Jenna Hope
Look Out for Yogurts With Vitamins and Calcium for Bone and Heart Health
Vitamin A is important for bone growth and development, while Vitamin D and Calcium continue to support bone health as you get older. Calcium is also beneficial to your muscles, heart and nervous system, so look out for yogurts with 120mg of calcium per 100g.
Nutritionist
Jenna Hope
Live Yogurt Cultures Encourage Good Bacteria in Your Gut for Healthy Digestion
A traditional yogurt – like many modern yogurt products – is made by fermenting milk along with a live bacteria culture such as lactobacillus acidophilus, bifidobacterium and streptococcus thermophilus. The benefits of eating yogurt cultures are primarily gut health and improved digestion, as well as stronger bones.
Some yogurt also contains probiotics; living bacteria which can keep your intestines functioning healthily. Keep an eye out for names such as L. casei and L. acidophilus on your yogurt’s ingredients list for a flat tum and less bloating.
Nutritionist
Jenna Hope
For the Healthiest Yogurts, Choose Ones Containing Fewer Ingredients Such as Natural Greek Yogurt
Pure yogurt is really only supposed to contain two ingredients; whole milk and live cultures. The more ingredients you see on the label, the further the product will be from a traditional yogurt.
If you are looking for lots of flavour, you’re better off picking a plain yogurt and adding fruit or nuts yourself rather than choosing yogurts with artificial additives that give them a sweet taste but won’t be so good for you. Plain and natural Greek and Greek-style yogurts are particularly high in protein and lower in sugar than many other yogurt types, so are often one of the healthiest options.
Nutritionist
Jenna Hope
Dairy-Free Yogurts: Ideal If You’re Vegan or Lactose Intolerant But Keep Fat and Sugar in Mind
Whether you’re a fully paid-up vegan or simply trying to avoid lactose, dairy-free yogurts are readily available to buy in the UK and taste just as good as the real thing.
Since they rely on plant proteins for their consistency and flavour, some vegan yogurts can be high in fat (coconut-milk based yogurts) and sugars (other plant-based products), so make a point of checking the label so as not to buy a product which exceeds the healthy limit.
Nutritionist
Jenna Hope
Artificial Sweeteners are Not the Enemy: Pick a Yogurt With a Sweet Hit Without a Blood-Sugar Spike
The idea of an artificial sweetener may seem like the opposite of a healthy choice, but according to research by the UK’s National Health Service and the UK charity Cancer Research, there is a large body of evidence to prove artificial sweeteners are safe for human consumption and are not linked to cancer.
While some may sound like ingredients to avoid, they are all approved by the European Food Safety Authority and there is no daily limit for these kinds of sweeteners. They provide a sweet flavour to your yogurt without increasing blood-sugar levels, so are ideal sugar alternatives. Nevertheless, if you experience any discomfort from consuming them, it is best to avoid yogurts with high-levels in them.
Nutritionist
Jenna Hope
Top 10 Best Healthy Yogurts in the UK
Now you know what you’re looking for, check out our picks of the top ten healthy yogurts. Your preference will obviously depend on what you value most; low-fat, low-sugar, high protein or dairy-free. There’s something on the list for every need and taste!
10
Yeo ValleyFamily Farm Natural Organic Yogurt
£1.25
| Weight | 500g |
|---|---|
| Nutrition (per 100g) | Sugar: 5.6g, Saturated Fat: 2.9g, Protein: 5.1g, Calcium: 163mg |
| Live Cultures | Yes |
| Dairy Free | No |
| Added Sweeteners | None |
9
DanoneLight & Free Greek Style Peach Passion Fruit Yogurt
4 Pack
£2.00
| Weight | 115g |
|---|---|
| Nutrition (per 100g) | Sugar: 5.8g, Saturated Fat: <0.1g, Protein: 4.7g, Calcium: 161mg, Vitamin D |
| Live Cultures | No |
| Dairy Free | No |
| Added Sweeteners | Acesulfame K, Sucralose |
8
KokoDairy Free Plain Yogurt Alternative With Live Cultures
£2.00
| Weight | 500g |
|---|---|
| Nutrition (per 100g) | Sugar: 4.3g, Saturated Fat: 4.2g, Protein: 0.6g, Calcium: 160mg, Vitamins D & B12 |
| Live Cultures | Yes |
| Dairy Free | Yes |
| Added Sweeteners | Dextrose |
7
Yeo ValleyFamily Farm Kefir Natural Organic Yogurt
£1.50
| Weight | 350g |
|---|---|
| Nutrition (per 100g) | Sugar: 5.4g, Saturated Fat: 1.4g, Protein: 4.7g, Calcium: 181mg, 132mg Phosphorus |
| Live Cultures | Yes |
| Dairy Free | No |
| Added Sweeteners | None |
6
OnkenNatural Set Biopot Yogurt
£1.00
| Weight | 500g |
|---|---|
| Nutrition (per 100g) | Sugar: 3.4g, Saturated Fat: 2.4g, Protein: 3.7g, Calcium: 119mg |
| Live Cultures | Yes |
| Dairy Free | No |
| Added Sweeteners | None |
5
ArlaProtein Passion Fruit & Papaya Yogurt
£1.00
| Weight | 200g |
|---|---|
| Nutrition (per 100g) | Sugar: 7.5g, Saturated Fat: 0.5g, Protein: 10.1g |
| Live Cultures | No |
| Dairy Free | No |
| Added Sweeteners | Fruit Juice |
4
HennaNatural Live Set Very Low Fat Yogurt
£1.10
| Weight | 1kg |
|---|---|
| Nutrition (per 100g) | Sugar: 3g, Saturated Fat: 0.11g, Protein: 3.63g, Calcium: 0.15mg |
| Live Cultures | Yes |
| Dairy Free | No |
| Added Sweeteners | None |
3
ArlaSkyr Simply Natural Fat Free High Protein Yogurt
£1.25
| Weight | 450g |
|---|---|
| Nutrition (per 100g) | Sugar: 4g, Saturated Fat: 0.1g, Protein: 10.6g |
| Live Cultures | Yes |
| Dairy Free | No |
| Added Sweeteners | None |
2
AlproVanilla Soya Yogurt Alternative
£1.00
| Weight | 500g |
|---|---|
| Nutrition (per 100g) | Sugar: 2.2g, Saturated Fat: 0.4g, Protein: 3.9g, Calcium: 120mg, Vitamins D and B12 |
| Live Cultures | Yes |
| Dairy Free | Yes |
| Added Sweeteners | Sugar |
1
FageTotal 0% Fat Free Greek Natural Yogurt
£1.95
| Weight | 500g |
|---|---|
| Nutrition (per 100g) | Sugar: 3g, Saturated Fat: 0g, Protein: 10.3g, Calcium: 120mg |
| Live Cultures | Yes |
| Dairy Free | No |
| Added Sweeteners | None |
Compare the Best Healthy Yogurts
| Image | 1  Fage | 2  Alpro | 3  Arla | 4  Henna | 5  Arla | 6  Onken | 7  Yeo Valley | 8  Koko | 9  Danone | 10  Yeo Valley |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Total 0% Fat Free Greek Natural Yogurt | Vanilla Soya Yogurt Alternative | Skyr Simply Natural Fat Free High Protein Yogurt | Natural Live Set Very Low Fat Yogurt | Protein Passion Fruit & Papaya Yogurt | Natural Set Biopot Yogurt | Family Farm Kefir Natural Organic Yogurt | Dairy Free Plain Yogurt Alternative With Live Cultures | Light & Free Greek Style Peach Passion Fruit Yogurt | Family Farm Natural Organic Yogurt |
| Features | Simple, Low-Fat and Protein-Packed | Creamy, Protein-rich and Suitable for Everyone | Icelandic Yogurt Goodness With No Added Nonsense | Cheap and Cheerful Yogurt that Ticks Every Box | Protein Power With a Tropical Fruit Kick | Simply Delicious No-Frills Set Yogurt | Live Cultures for Gut Health | Dairy-Free With a Coconut Hit | Fruity, Flavourful and Low in Fat | A Thick and Creamy Organic Treat |
| Price | £1.95 | £1.00 | £1.25 | £1.10 | £1.00 | £1.00 | £1.50 | £2.00 | £2.00 | £1.25 |
| Weight | 500g | 500g | 450g | 1kg | 200g | 500g | 350g | 500g | 115g | 500g |
| Nutrition (per 100g) | Sugar: 3g, Saturated Fat: 0g, Protein: 10.3g, Calcium: 120mg | Sugar: 2.2g, Saturated Fat: 0.4g, Protein: 3.9g, Calcium: 120mg, Vitamins D and B12 | Sugar: 4g, Saturated Fat: 0.1g, Protein: 10.6g | Sugar: 3g, Saturated Fat: 0.11g, Protein: 3.63g, Calcium: 0.15mg | Sugar: 7.5g, Saturated Fat: 0.5g, Protein: 10.1g | Sugar: 3.4g, Saturated Fat: 2.4g, Protein: 3.7g, Calcium: 119mg | Sugar: 5.4g, Saturated Fat: 1.4g, Protein: 4.7g, Calcium: 181mg, 132mg Phosphorus | Sugar: 4.3g, Saturated Fat: 4.2g, Protein: 0.6g, Calcium: 160mg, Vitamins D & B12 | Sugar: 5.8g, Saturated Fat: <0.1g, Protein: 4.7g, Calcium: 161mg, Vitamin D | Sugar: 5.6g, Saturated Fat: 2.9g, Protein: 5.1g, Calcium: 163mg |
| Live Cultures | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Dairy Free | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Added Sweeteners | None | Sugar | None | None | Fruit Juice | None | None | Dextrose | Acesulfame K, Sucralose | None |
| Link |
Give Your Meals a Healthy Boost With Jenna Hope's Tips
"Yoghurt is great for adding to soups, curries and stews. It's also delicious when stirred into porridge or served with a berry compote for breakfast in the morning. Yoghurt can be so versatile and is, therefore, a really brilliant source of protein, calcium, iodine and vitamins B12 and D which are all required to support long-term health."
Other Healthy Snack Ideas
Curious about other ways to keep the late morning or afternoon hunger pangs away? Lucky for you, there are many healthy snack options available online: take a scroll through our other recommendation articles!
Summary
That concludes our rundown of the healthiest yogurts you can find online this year. We hope now you know what to search for you can skip the sugary treats and choose a moreish snack which packs a protein punch and great flavour. Spoons at the ready!
Author: Annie Hopkins
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