Ever pondered whether frozen yogurt is truly a healthier alternative to ice cream? It certainly can be, but it's essential to scrutinize the nutrition label and understand what to seek when comparing your preferred frozen treats. Unlike ice cream, which is crafted from milk and cream, frozen yogurt features fermented, cultured yogurt, lending it a slightly tangier flavor than its traditional counterpart. However, it's crucial to recognize that frozen yogurt may not inherently offer the same probiotic advantages as refrigerated yogurt, such as bolstering gut health. For frozen yogurt to be considered probiotic, it must contain live and active cultures—not merely cultures or an added probiotic strain. Nonetheless, it's generally advisable to obtain probiotics from low-sugar yogurt rather than relying on frozen desserts for this purpose, so actively seeking out probiotic frozen yogurt may not be necessary.
In compiling a roster of healthy frozen yogurts, we meticulously examined the nutritional profiles of the most popular offerings. Below, you'll find our top recommendations for frozen yogurt tubs and bars, along with a few selections you might want to bypass.
How We Selected the Healthiest Frozen Yogurts:
1) Total Calories: We prioritized frozen yogurts where yogurt is one of the primary ingredients, replacing calorie- and fat-dense cream found in traditional ice cream. This typically results in a lower-calorie option compared to classic ice cream desserts.
2) Added Sugar: Recognizing the pitfalls of excessive added sugars in desserts, we sought out low- or no-sugar-added options to identify the healthiest frozen yogurts available in grocery stores.
3) Overall Nutritional Balance: Products that incorporate fiber or protein into their ingredients offer a nutritional advantage, enhancing the satiety and overall balance of the nutrition label. We valued these nutrients for providing substance to what might otherwise be considered "empty calorie" desserts.
4) Presence of Probiotics: Our selection process also considered products containing live and active cultures, a notable benefit of choosing frozen yogurt over ice cream alternatives.
While we've categorized some selections as healthier than others, indulging in your favorite dessert occasionally is unlikely to detrimentally impact your health and may even provide a boost of vitamin P—for Pleasure! However, if you frequently opt for higher-calorie options, experimenting with healthier alternatives could be worthwhile.
Continue reading for more better-for-you frozen dessert options.
1) Best: Enlightened Chocolate Greek Yogurt
NUTRITION (PER ⅔ CUP SERVING):
- CALORIES: 120
- FAT: 3.5 g (Saturated Fat: 2 g)
- SODIUM: 125 mg
- CARBS: 24 g (Fiber: 9 g, Sugar: 8 g)
- PROTEIN: 10 g
Enlightened Chocolate Greek Yogurt emerges as an outstanding choice for those seeking higher protein and added fiber in their frozen desserts. This "health-conscious" treat boasts an impressive 10 grams of protein and 9 grams of fiber per two-thirds cup serving. Perfect for satisfying cravings while enhancing protein and fiber intake, this pint offers a delightful taste alongside nutritional balance.
2) Best: Alden's Organic Ice Cream - Strawberry Twist Bar
NUTRITION (PER 1 BAR SERVING):
- CALORIES: 90
- FAT: 1.5 g (Saturated fat: 1 g)
- SODIUM: 35 mg
- CARBS: 19 g (Fiber: 3 g, Sugar: 13 g)
- PROTEIN: 2 g
Alden's Organic Ice Cream Strawberry Twist Bar offers a lighter dessert option with just 90 calories and 1.5 grams of fat per serving. With 3 grams of fiber and the presence of live and active cultures, it not only satisfies your sweet cravings but also supports gut health—a rare combination in frozen yogurt options. Additionally, with only 35 mg of sodium, it's nearly salt-free, making it suitable for individuals monitoring their sodium intake.
3) Best: Yasso Frozen Yogurt Bars
NUTRITION (PER 1 BAR SERVING):
- CALORIES: 80
- FAT: 0 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
- SODIUM: 55 mg
- CARBS: 15 g (Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 12 g)
- PROTEIN: 5 g
Yasso Frozen Yogurt Bars offer a wholesome option with 5 grams of protein and just 80 calories per single serving bar, making them ideal for health-conscious individuals. While each serving contains 12 grams of total sugar, only 8 grams are from added sugars. With no saturated fats, these bars strike a perfect balance between satisfying indulgence and nutritious choice.
4) Best: Cilo Zero Sugar Yogurt Bar
NUTRITION (PER 1 BAR SERVING):
- CALORIES: 100
- FAT: 6 g (Saturated Fat: 4.5 g)
- SODIUM: 15 mg
- CARBS: 12 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 0 g)
- PROTEIN: 7 g
Clio Zero Sugar Yogurt Bars are a standout choice for healthy frozen yogurt, offering just 100 calories per bar and an impressive 7 grams of protein. Made primarily with Greek yogurt, these bars are sweetened with erythritol (a sugar alcohol) and stevia, ensuring they contain no added sugars. They provide a guilt-free indulgence to satisfy your cravings, and if you prefer to steer clear of artificial sugars, their regular Yogurt Bars are equally delicious.
5) Best: Mixmi Frozen Yogurt, Totally Vanilla
NUTRITION (PER 1 CUP SERVING):
- CALORIES: 90
- FAT: 1.5 g (Saturated Fat: 1 g)
- SODIUM: 40 mg
- CARBS: 14 g (Fiber: 3 g, Sugar: 11 g)
- PROTEIN: 3 g
Mixmi Frozen Yogurt stands out as one of the healthiest options available in the frozen yogurt section. With just 90 calories per serving and a mere 1.5 grams of fat, it's an ideal choice for those who are mindful of their dessert selections. Packed with probiotics and prebiotic fiber, this option not only satisfies your sweet cravings but also promotes digestive health. Probiotics, the live cultures in the product, contribute to a flourishing microbiome—an uncommon feature in the frozen yogurt aisle. Providing 3 grams of fiber per serving, it also helps meet your daily fiber needs, making it a well-rounded choice.
6) Best: Cremily Frozen French Vanilla Yogurt
NUTRITION (PER ⅔ CUP SERVING):
- CALORIES: 170
- FAT: 12 g (Saturated Fat: 8 g)
- SODIUM: 35 mg
- CARBS: 18 g (Fiber: 4 g, Sugar: 4 g)
- PROTEIN: 6 g
For a frozen yogurt option that's also friendly to blood sugar levels, Cremily is a standout choice. With just 170 calories per two-thirds cup serving, it serves as a lighter alternative to traditional dairy desserts. Additionally, it contains only 4 grams of sugar and boasts an impressive fiber content of 4 grams per serving. However, it's important to note that this product contains sugar alcohol, which may cause digestive discomfort for some individuals, particularly those with IBS or other gastrointestinal issues. If you belong to this category, exercise caution when consuming this product.
7) Best: Whole Foods' Organic 365 Yogurt Bar
NUTRITION (PER 1 BAR SERVING):
- CALORIES: 80
- FAT: 1 g (Saturated Fat: 0.5 g)
- SODIUM: 35 mg
- CARBS: 15 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 12 g)
- PROTEIN: 4 g
Whole Foods Organic 365 Frozen Yogurt Bars stand out as one of the healthiest options available, boasting just 80 calories per serving and only 1 gram of fat. What's more, these bars are free from high fructose corn syrup and feature probiotics from the yogurt, offering a beneficial boost to gut health as you indulge your sweet cravings.
8) Halo Top Yogurt Pops
NUTRITION (PER 1 BAR SERVING):
- CALORIES: 110
- FAT: 3 g (Saturated Fat: 2 g)
- SODIUM: 35 mg
- CARBS: 17 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 15 g)
- PROTEIN: 4 g
These innovative yogurt pops, made with Icelandic-style skyr yogurt, offer a delightful addition to your frozen treat selection. Infused with real strawberries and granola, each bar boasts a modest 110 calories and 3 grams of fat. While containing 15 grams of sugar per serving, it's worth noting that not all of it is added sugar, as some naturally derive from the fruit and yogurt ingredients.
9) Best: Kroger Deluxe Low-Fat Vanilla Yogurt
NUTRITION (PER ½ CUP SERVING):
- CALORIES: 90
- FAT: 1.5 g (Saturated Fat: 1 g)
- SODIUM: 50 mg
- CARBS: 18 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 14 g)
- PROTEIN: 2 g
Kroger Deluxe Low Fat Vanilla Frozen Yogurt stands out as a healthy choice for individuals craving a frozen delight. With just 90 calories per half-cup serving and 1.5 grams of fat, it ranks among the lowest-calorie frozen yogurts available. Additionally, containing only 50 milligrams of sodium per serving, it serves as a suitable option for those monitoring their sodium intake.
Here are three frozen yogurts to steer clear of:
1) Worst: Ben & Jerry's Half-Baked Froyo
NUTRITION (PER ⅔ CUP SERVING):
- CALORIES: 230
- FAT: 3.5 g (Saturated fat: 2 g)
- SODIUM: 85 mg
- CARBS: 35 g (Fiber: <1 g, Sugar: 30 g)
- PROTEIN: 6 g
Indulge in the rich texture and creamy flavor of Ben & Jerry's Half-Baked FroYo, but be mindful of its sugar content. With 30 grams of sugar per two-thirds cup serving, this treat exceeds the daily recommended allowance for sugars. Enjoy it sparingly for an occasional indulgence rather than making it a regular dessert choice.
2) Worst: Noosa Yoghurt Chocolate Fudge
NUTRITION (PER ⅔ CUP SERVING):
- CALORIES: 290
- FAT: 14 g (Saturated fat: 9 g)
- SODIUM: 90 mg
- CARBS: 36 g (Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 32 g)
- PROTEIN: 5 g
The Noosa Chocolate Fudge Frozen Yoghurt Gelato is one of the less healthy frozen yogurt options, particularly due to its high sugar content. With 32 grams of total sugar per serving and a whopping 80 grams if you finish off the container, this Noosa frozen yogurt exceeds the daily limits set by The American Heart Association for added sugar intake. Enjoy this indulgence sparingly to avoid exceeding your sugar intake for the day.
3) Worst: Kemps Frozen Yogurt Caramel Brownie
NUTRITION (PER ⅔ CUP SERVING):
- CALORIES: 200
- FAT: 7 g (Saturated fat: 3.5 g)
- SODIUM: 180 mg
- CARBS: 32 g (Fiber: <1 g, Sugar: 24 g)
- PROTEIN: 3 g
Indulging in Kemps Frozen Yogurt Moose Tracks Caramel Brownie may seem like a delightful experience with its tempting blend of caramel and brownie mix-ins. However, its nutritional profile closely resembles that of ice cream. Each serving of two-thirds of a cup contains 200 calories and 7 grams of fat, including 3.5 grams of saturated fat. With a considerable 24 grams of sugar, this dessert option could easily surpass your daily allowance for added sugar intake.