Complete Yogurt Guide

Comprehensive analysis of 200 yogurt products from 74 brands. Compare processing levels, probiotics, added sugars, and find the healthiest options for your diet.

200
Products Analyzed
74
Brands
4.3
Avg Processing Score
5.9/10
Avg Nutrition Score

Yogurt by Processing Level

Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed
Level 1
Minimally Processed
15

Plain yogurt with minimal ingredients. Just milk and live cultures.

Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed
Level 2
Processed
138

Slightly processed with natural flavors or fruit additions.

Processing Level: 3 out of 4 - Highly Processed
Level 3
Highly Processed
47

Contains added sugars, thickeners, or multiple additives.

Processing Level: 4 out of 4 - Ultra-Processed
Level 4
Ultra-Processed
0

Highly processed with artificial flavors, colors, or many additives.

Healthiest Yogurt Options

Top-rated yogurt products with minimal processing and high nutrition scores

Fig & Honey Parfait

Whole Foods Market

Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed
Level 2
Processed
Processing:4.0
Nutrition:8.5/10

Strawberry Flavor Triple Zero Blended Greek Nonfat Yogurt, Strawberry

Oikos

Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed
Level 2
Processed
Processing:4.5
Nutrition:8.5/10

Greek Nonfat Yogurt

Essential Everyday

Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed
Level 1
Minimally Processed
Processing:1.0
Nutrition:8.0/10

Nonfat Greek Yogurt, Plain

Old Home

Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed
Level 1
Minimally Processed
Processing:1.0
Nutrition:8.0/10

Plain Greek Strained Nonfat Yogurt, Plain

Hy-vee

Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed
Level 1
Minimally Processed
Processing:1.0
Nutrition:8.0/10

Plain Greek Nonfat Yogurt, Plain

Full Circle Market

Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed
Level 1
Minimally Processed
Processing:2.0
Nutrition:8.0/10

Plain Organic Greek Nonfat Yogurt, Plain

Meijer

Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed
Level 1
Minimally Processed
Processing:2.0
Nutrition:8.0/10

Greek Yogurt

Olympiana

Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed
Level 1
Minimally Processed
Processing:2.0
Nutrition:8.0/10

Greek Nonfat Yogurt Plain

Giant Eagle

Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed
Level 2
Processed
Processing:3.0
Nutrition:8.0/10

Mixed Berry Parfait

Whole Foods Market

Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed
Level 2
Processed
Processing:5.0
Nutrition:8.0/10

Apple Cinnamon Parfait

Whole Foods Market

Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed
Level 2
Processed
Processing:5.0
Nutrition:8.0/10

Kefir Cup Strained Cultured Lowfat Milk with Ancient Grains, Ancient Grains

Lifeway

Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed
Level 2
Processed
Processing:5.0
Nutrition:8.0/10

How to Choose Healthy Yogurt

What to Look For

  • Short ingredient list: Best yogurt has just two ingredients - milk and live active cultures
  • Live and active cultures: Check for "live and active cultures" label and specific probiotic strains like Lactobacillus acidophilus or Bifidobacterium
  • Low processing score: Look for yogurt with processing scores under 3.0 (plain yogurt typically scores 1.0-2.0)
  • High protein content: Greek yogurt typically has 15-20g protein per serving (vs 5-10g in regular yogurt) to keep you full longer
  • Plain varieties: Choose plain yogurt and add fresh fruit yourself for natural sweetness without added sugars

Red Flags to Avoid

  • Excessive added sugars: Flavored yogurt often contains 10-20g of added sugar per serving (not including natural milk sugar lactose)
  • Artificial flavors: Indicates higher processing level and unnecessary additives
  • Modified food starch: Used as thickener in heavily processed yogurt
  • Excessive thickeners: Multiple thickeners like pectin, gelatin, carrageenan suggest higher processing