Updated: 2/24/2020
Displayed on the wall of nearly every cute frozen yogurt shop is the announcement that yogurt contains live and active cultures that help your digestive system. While frozen yogurt does carry this benefit, most people glance at the prominent sign and mentally file frozen yogurt into their “health food” category. This may be too quick of an assumption.
Frozen Yogurt
Yogurt is generally considered pretty healthy, but frozen yogurt is little more than ice cream with some powdered yogurt product thrown in. Some simple research in the original article found that:
- The first several ingredients in yogurt from a popular chain consisted of several varieties of sugar.
- Actual milk products appeared farther down the line.
- Yogurt powder with probiotics showed up toward the end.
Does that sound healthy to you? Many people try to justify eating certain things by focusing on a healthy aspect of the food, but the truth is, some foods are just not healthy. The healthy aspect simply can’t outweigh the unhealthy effects.
Sugar Consumption
America’s sugar consumption has rocketed sky-high, and food producers know how to slip that sugar content right past millions of consumers. Sugar comes in many forms with many names. If a food product contains several of those varieties, its overall sugar content remains the same. However, ingredients are listed in order from the greatest content to the least, and the different types of sugar can be dispersed throughout the ingredient list.
“Evaporated cane juice” has become a popular catch-phrase, as it carries the connotation of being a “healthy” sugar. However, evaporated cane juice is only one tiny step away from being fully processed sugar. Its effect is the same – it simply contains a minutely smaller percentage of molasses than the fully refined variety. Not only is the effect on the overall body the same, it also affects the teeth in the same way. Sugar, no matter the variety, can lead to cavities and dental disease.
“Real” Yogurt
True yogurt is more digestible than milk, and many people eat it as a delicious health supplement. The healthiest variety contains only milk products and probiotic cultures, while some may also contain sweeteners, food coloring and fruit. These actually help replenish the helpful bacteria in the intestines and provide a source of protein, calcium and often even fiber.
This doesn’t mean you can’t indulge in a bowl of frozen yogurt every now and then. It simply means that relying on it as a health food could have some unpleasant effects! Be sure to exercise and brush your teeth to remove sugar residue that could lead to dental decay. Save frozen yogurt as a treat, and your entire well-being will thank you for it.
