This is an archived article and the information in the story may be outdated. Please check the time stamp on the story to see when it was updated last.
Yogurt adds a delicious creamy texture to smoothies and is often the base ingredient for many recipes. Using fat-free flavored yogurt may seem like the best option when you are trying to lose weight, but that’s not necessarily the case.
Low-fat yogurt may have less fat than full-fat yogurt, but most are ladened with sugar. One serving of low-fat yogurt can contain as many as 30 grams of sugar—that’s 60% of your daily USDA limit. Many manufacturers add sugars to fat-free yogurts to help make it taste better. Fat-free yogurts tend to be more bitter and bland in flavor because there is less fat.
But, is fat good for you? Recent studies have indicated that fat isn’t as evil as dieters once thought it was. A 2015 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that the more high-fat dairy products people ate, the lower their risk of diabetes and helps with satiety.
In addition to helping you feel fuller longer, fats help our bodies metabolize calcium, protein, vitamin D and other nutrients in dairy that are indeed good for us. Fats help you feel fuller because it’s calorie-dense. Eaten in moderation, eating fats can help you eat less.
To reap the most benefits from yogurt, stick will full-fat plain yogurt. It’s perfect for giving you the creamy base for your smoothies while providing you will the vitamins, nutrients and just the right amount of fat to keep you full. You can always use fresh fruits to add sweetness and fibers to your smoothies.
