A Nutritional Deep Dive: Which Brand of Yogurt is the Healthiest?

October 3, 2025 •

5 min read

According to a recent survey, nearly 50% of consumers find the yogurt aisle confusing due to the sheer number of options and health claims. This guide cuts through the noise, providing a comprehensive look to help you answer the crucial question: Which brand of yogurt is the healthiest?

Quick Summary

This guide compares top yogurt brands based on key health metrics like protein, sugar, and probiotic content. Learn how to read nutrition labels and select the best options for your specific dietary needs.

Key Points

Check the Ingredients: The simplest yogurts, containing only milk and live cultures, are often the healthiest.
Prioritize Low Added Sugar: Flavored yogurts frequently contain excessive sugar; opt for plain varieties and sweeten them naturally with fruit.
Look for Probiotics: The presence of 'live and active cultures' is crucial for gut health benefits.
Boost Protein with Greek or Skyr: Strained yogurts like Greek and Icelandic skyr offer significantly more protein per serving, promoting satiety.
Match Your Goals: The 'healthiest' brand depends on individual needs, whether it's maximizing protein, minimizing sugar, or choosing organic.

What Makes a Yogurt Healthy?

Finding the healthiest yogurt requires more than just looking for a low-calorie label. The most nutritious options are often those that are minimally processed and prioritize three key factors: low or no added sugar, a high protein content, and live, active cultures. Flavored and 'fruit-on-the-bottom' varieties often hide significant amounts of added sugars, which can negate the yogurt's health benefits. A genuinely healthy yogurt should be a clean, simple product that serves as a canvas for your own healthy additions, like fresh fruit or nuts.

The Importance of Probiotics and Live Cultures

At its core, yogurt is milk fermented by beneficial bacteria. For a yogurt to offer gut-health benefits, it must contain "live and active cultures". These probiotics can aid in digestion, boost the immune system, and support a balanced gut microbiome. Heat treatment during processing can kill these bacteria, so always check the label for the Live & Active Cultures (LAC) seal or specific bacteria strains like L. bulgaricus, S. thermophiles, and Bifidobacterium.

Protein Power: Why Greek and Skyr Win

Strained yogurts, such as Greek yogurt and Icelandic skyr, are thicker because the watery whey is removed during processing. This concentration results in a significantly higher protein content—often double that of regular yogurt. The extra protein helps promote satiety, keeping you feeling full for longer, which can be beneficial for weight management. Protein is also essential for muscle repair and growth, making these yogurts an excellent post-workout snack.

Top Contenders: A Brand Comparison

When evaluating different brands, it's essential to look beyond marketing claims and focus on the nutrition label. Here is a breakdown of some popular brands and their healthiest options.

Siggi's: The Icelandic Standard

Siggi's is a brand consistently recommended by dietitians for its simple ingredients, high protein content, and minimal added sugar. This Icelandic-style yogurt, known as skyr, is exceptionally thick and creamy. Their plain, non-fat skyr provides around 16g of protein per 5.3oz serving with zero added sugar. Even their flavored options contain significantly less sugar than typical brands. It is a fantastic choice for those prioritizing clean labels and high protein.

Fage: The Classic Greek Yogurt

Fage is a long-standing favorite for a reason. Their Fage Total line offers a pure, simple Greek yogurt with no added sugar. Available in various fat percentages (0%, 2%, and 5%), Fage allows for customization based on dietary goals. The 0% option packs 16g of protein per serving with no added sugar, making it a very healthy, versatile base for any meal or snack. Fage is praised for its thick texture, perfect for mixing with fruit or using as a sour cream substitute.

Oikos: The Zero Sugar Champion

Oikos offers several healthy options, most notably their Triple Zero and Oikos Pro lines. Oikos Triple Zero delivers 15g of protein per 5.3oz cup with zero added sugar, relying on stevia leaf extract for sweetness. For even higher protein, Oikos Pro offers 20g per serving, also with zero added sugar. These are great for those watching sugar intake closely but are comfortable with natural, non-caloric sweeteners.

Chobani: A Variety of Healthy Options

Chobani has made a strong push into the low and zero-sugar space with its Chobani Zero Sugar and High Protein Greek Yogurt lines. Their Zero Sugar option, sweetened with monk fruit and stevia, contains zero added sugar and 12g of protein per serving. The High Protein line boosts that to 20g of protein per 6.7oz serving with no added sugar, making it one of the most protein-dense options available. Chobani also offers a standard plain Greek yogurt for those who prefer to add their own toppings.

Stonyfield Organic: Focusing on Organic and Gut Health

For those who prioritize organic ingredients, Stonyfield is a solid choice. Their plain organic yogurts, including Greek varieties, are made from pasture-raised cows' milk and contain no artificial additives or high-fructose corn syrup. The Plain Whole Milk Probiotic Yogurt boasts billions of probiotics and a smooth, creamy texture, making it a great option for digestive health. Their simple, clean ingredient lists appeal to health-conscious consumers.

Comparison Table of Top Healthy Yogurt Brands


Brand	Yogurt Type	Protein (per serving)	Added Sugar (per serving)	Live Cultures	Key Feature
Siggi's	Skyr (Non-fat Plain)	~16g (5.3oz)	0g	Yes	Minimal ingredients, very thick
Fage Total	Greek (0% Plain)	~16g (5.3oz)	0g	Yes	Versatile, classic tangy taste
Oikos Pro	Greek (flavored)	20g (5.3oz)	0g	Yes	Highest protein, uses stevia
Chobani Zero Sugar	Greek (flavored)	12g (5.3oz)	0g	Yes	Zero added sugar, uses monk fruit/stevia
Stonyfield	Greek (Plain)	~16g (5.3oz)	0g	Yes	Organic, pasture-raised milk

Practical Tips for Choosing a Healthy Yogurt

Stick to Plain: Plain, unflavored yogurt is your best bet for avoiding excess added sugar. If you need sweetness, add your own fresh berries, a little honey, or a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Read the Ingredients: The healthiest yogurts have the shortest, simplest ingredient lists—ideally just milk and live cultures. Be wary of long lists with added thickeners, gums, or artificial flavors.
Check the Protein and Sugar: Always compare the grams of protein and added sugar. For a healthy snack, aim for a higher protein-to-sugar ratio.
Look for 'Live and Active Cultures': This seal or phrase indicates the yogurt contains beneficial probiotics for gut health. Without it, the yogurt may have been heat-treated, killing the healthy bacteria.
Consider Fat Content: Fat-free and low-fat options can be great for managing calories, but the fat in full-fat yogurt can increase satiety and help with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K).
Don't Forget Plant-Based Options: For those who are dairy-free, brands like Forager Project and Kite Hill offer Greek-style plant-based yogurts that are high in protein and free of added sugar. Just be sure to check the nutritional label as content can vary greatly.

Conclusion

While there is no single "healthiest" brand of yogurt for everyone, several brands consistently offer nutritious, high-quality options. Ultimately, the best choice depends on individual dietary needs and preferences, such as prioritizing high protein (Siggi's, Fage, Oikos Pro), organic ingredients (Stonyfield), or a zero-sugar profile (Chobani Zero Sugar, Oikos Triple Zero). By focusing on simple ingredients, minimal added sugar, high protein, and the presence of live cultures, you can confidently navigate the yogurt aisle. A plain, unflavored Greek or Icelandic yogurt from a reputable brand serves as a versatile, nutrient-dense base that you can customize with your own healthy toppings.

Visit this article from EatingWell for more on high-protein yogurts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Greek yogurt is a strained form of regular yogurt, which makes it thicker and higher in protein. Plain yogurt is not strained, giving it a thinner consistency and typically higher calcium content, but less protein per serving.

No. For a yogurt to benefit gut health, it must contain 'live and active cultures' (probiotics). Many processed or heat-treated yogurts, like frozen yogurt, may lack these beneficial bacteria.

The easiest way is to choose plain, unflavored yogurt. If you prefer flavored varieties, carefully check the nutrition label for 'Added Sugars' and select options with 5g or less per serving, or those sweetened with natural, non-caloric alternatives like stevia or monk fruit.

This depends on your dietary goals. Full-fat yogurt contains more calories but can increase satiety and aid in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K). For those focused on weight management, low-fat or non-fat may be preferable, while others may benefit from the richness of full-fat.

It varies widely by brand. Some plant-based yogurts, like those from Kite Hill and Forager Project, are formulated to be high in protein and low in added sugar. However, many alternatives can be low in protein and calcium while being high in sugar, so always check the label.

This indicates that the yogurt contains a significant amount of viable, beneficial bacteria at the time of manufacturing. These probiotics are crucial for promoting digestive health.

High-protein strained yogurts like Greek yogurt or Icelandic skyr are best for muscle recovery due to their concentrated protein content. Brands like Ratio, Oikos Pro, and Siggi's offer particularly high-protein options.