Chobani has become one of the most popular Greek yogurt brands in America. They offer a wide variety of flavors and options, including no sugar added varieties. But is their no sugar yogurt really a healthy choice? Here is a comprehensive look at Chobani’s no sugar yogurts to determine if they live up to their health halo.
Nutrition Facts
First, let’s examine the nutrition facts for Chobani’s no sugar added Greek yogurts:
| Serving Size | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3 oz | 100 | 14g | 9g | 0g |
As you can see, a single serving provides 14g of protein, which is an impressive amount from a yogurt. It also has 0g of fat and around 100 calories. Looking at these numbers alone, Chobani’s no sugar yogurt seems like a nutritious choice.
Ingredients
However, it’s important to look beyond the nutrition facts and examine the ingredients list:
– Nonfat milk
– Cream
– Live and active cultures
– Vegetable juice concentrate (for color)
– Natural flavors
– Locust bean gum
– Guar gum
– Stevia leaf extract
The ingredients look relatively simple and natural at first glance. But vegetable juice concentrate, natural flavors, and gums raise some questions.
The vegetable juice concentrates are likely used to provide color since Chobani uses natural colors. But these concentrates still add extra, unneeded ingredients.
Natural flavors is a broad term that allows companies to hide artificial additives that would have to be disclosed otherwise. There’s no way to know what exactly is included in Chobani’s “natural flavors.”
Locust bean gum and guar gum are emulsifiers and stabilizers added to improve texture and extend shelf life. They are considered safe by the FDA but again, unnecessary extras.
Overall, while Chobani’s no sugar yogurt isn’t loaded with artificial ingredients, the additions like gums, natural flavors, and stevia make it less than 100% natural.
Sugar Substitutes
A key aspect of Chobani’s no sugar yogurts is that they use non-nutritive sweeteners instead of sugar. In this case, they use stevia leaf extract to provide sweetness without calories or carbs.
Stevia leaf extract is extracted from the stevia plant and up to 200-300 times sweeter than sugar. It has risen in popularity in recent years as consumers seek lower calorie sweeteners.
But there are some potential concerns with stevia:
– Stevia extracts like rebaudioside A are highly processed from the leaf of the stevia plant. Whole leaf stevia would be more natural.
– When eaten in excess, some stevia extracts can have a bitter aftertaste.
– There are some concerns that stevia may negatively impact gut bacteria and blood sugar regulation, although more research is needed.
So while stevia is less concerning than artificial sweeteners, it isn’t perfect from a health perspective. And it doesn’t align with the “all-natural” image Chobani promotes.
Sugar Content
Chobani uses non-nutritive sweeteners to reduce the sugar content of their no sugar yogurt. A 5.3oz serving has 9g of carbs, 0g of which are sugar.
How does this compare to regular yogurt?
A serving of Chobani’s regular Greek yogurt has around 18-20g total carbs, 12-15g of which are sugar. So the no sugar variety cuts the total sugar in half.
However, a serving of plain whole milk Greek yogurt has around 9-10g total carbs, with 6-7g as sugar. So while Chobani’s no sugar yogurt beats other flavored yogurts in sugar content, it’s fairly similar to plain yogurt.
This indicates that while Chobani’s no sugar yogurt is a good option if you want flavor without extra sugar, you can get similar sugar content from plain yogurt.
Calories and Fat
One definite perk of Chobani’s no sugar yogurt is that provides flavor and creaminess without extra calories or fat:
– A serving has 100 calories and 0g fat, compared to 150 calories and 5g fat in regular Chobani yogurt.
Again, plain whole milk Greek yogurt is a close comparison with around 130 calories and 5g fat per serving.
So the no sugar varieties save you 20-50 calories and about 5g of fat compared to other flavored and plain yogurts. This is an advantage if you are closely monitoring calories and fat.
Protein Content
Protein is a major benefit of Greek yogurt, and Chobani’s no sugar yogurt delivers here as well. Each serving provides 14g of protein. This gives you about 20-25% of the protein you need in a day.
The protein content is comparable to regular Greek yogurt, which also provides around 14-18g per serving.
Getting a high amount of protein helps promote satiety, builds muscle, and supports bone health. It’s one of the strongest nutritional advantages of Chobani’s no sugar yogurts.
Live and Active Cultures
All Chobani yogurts, including the no sugar varieties, are loaded with live and active cultures like probiotics.
Each cup has billions of live cultures from strains including L. Acidophilus, Bifidus, L. Casei, and L. Reuteri.
The probiotics in yogurt provide many benefits for gut and immune health. They can help with digestion, improve the microbial balance in your intestines, and may support overall wellness.
This live and active culture count sets yogurt apart from many foods and gives Chobani’s products an advantage. The no sugar yogurts provide probiotic power without the added sugar.
Nutritional Value Compared to Regular Yogurt
Let’s summarize how the overall nutritional value of Chobani’s no sugar yogurt compares regular yogurt:
| No Sugar Chobani | Regular Chobani | Plain Greek Yogurt | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 100 | 150 | 130 |
| Fat | 0g | 5g | 5g |
| Carbs | 9g | 18-20g | 9-10g |
| Sugar | 0g | 12-15g | 6-7g |
| Protein | 14g | 14-18g | 14-18g |
| Live Cultures | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Overall, Chobani’s no sugar yogurt comes out well compared to regular yogurt. It’s lower in calories, fat, and sugar than regular flavored yogurt. And it provides comparable protein and probiotics.
The only advantages of plain yogurt are fewer ingredients and slightly less sugar. But the no sugar yogurt still provides a healthy nutrition profile, especially for flavored yogurt.
Gut Health
One rising nutrition concern is the impact foods have on gut health. Can Chobani’s no sugar yogurts support a healthy gut microbiome?
On the plus side, the live and active cultures in yogurt provide billions of probiotics. As discussed earlier, this is beneficial for strengthening your microbiome diversity and resilience.
However, some of the added ingredients may counteract this effect. While the gums and natural flavors are likely safe for most, they may disrupt sensitive digestive systems by irritating the gut lining and changing microbiome populations.
Stevia may also influence gut bacteria in ways we don’t fully understand yet. Early animal studies suggest stevia glycosides can slightly alter gut microbiota.
Overall, the probiotics are a good bet for improving gut health. But Chobani’s no sugar yogurts would be better without the extras like gums and stevia if you have gut sensitivities.
Satiety
One of the challenges with low/no sugar foods is they sometimes lack satiety and leave you feeling hungry. How does Chobani’s no sugar yogurt impact satiety?
Studies comparing high protein Greek yogurt to lower protein varieties find Greek yogurt:
– Enhances satiety after meals.
– Leads to reduced food intake later in the day.
This is likely thanks to the high protein content. Protein provides more satiety than carbs or fat gram for gram.
Chobani’s no sugar yogurts deliver a solid 14g protein per serving, or about 25% of your daily needs.
This high protein content, along with the thick creamy texture of Greek yogurt, can help these no sugar yogurts promote satiety. So you may stay full for longer compared to a no or low sugar food with less protein.
Taste
How does Chobani’s no sugar yogurt taste compared to regular yogurt? Here’s a flavor by flavor review:
**Plain** – Almost identical in taste and texture to regular plain Chobani. Great simple yogurt flavor.
**Strawberry** – Bright, fairly authentic strawberry taste. Only slightly less sweet than regular strawberry yogurt.
**Blueberry** – Bursting with fresh blueberry flavor. Again, only slightly less sweet than regular yogurt.
**Peach** – Rich, sweet peach flavor. But has a slight aftertaste from the stevia.
**Vanilla** – Nice creamy vanilla base but the stevia aftertaste comes through more strongly.
Overall, Chobani does an impressive job mimicking the taste of regular yogurt, especially with the fruit flavors. The plain and fruit varieties taste nearly identical to the regular yogurts.
The stevia is more noticeable in the vanilla and peach, but the taste is still good. If you don’t love stevia, the fruit flavors are your best bet.
Price
Chobani’s no sugar yogurts are priced a bit higher than regular yogurts. A pack of four 5.3oz cups typically costs around $4.50-5.50.
By comparison, a pack of four regular Chobani yogurts runs $3.50-4.50. And a pack of Yoplait Greek yogurt is around $3.50.
So you’ll pay $1-2 extra for the no sugar varieties. This premium pricing is typical for no sugar products currently, but prices may come down as they become more mainstream.
If budget is a main factor, plain yogurt remains one of the most affordable options. But Chobani’s no sugar yogurts are competitively priced compared to other no sugar and Greek yogurt options.
Best Uses
Based on nutrition and taste, here are the best ways to use Chobani’s no sugar yogurts:
– **Breakfast** – Enjoy as is or topped with fruit, nuts, chia seeds, etc. The protein keeps you full.
– **Snack** – A filling protein-rich snack between meals. Curb sugar cravings.
– **Dessert** – Fruit flavors give a sweet treat fix without all the added sugar.
– **Smoothies** – Blended with fruit for creaminess and protein power.
– **Dips and spreads** – Mix with herbs, garlic, etc for savory dips and spreads.
Chobani’s no sugar yogurts work for any occasion where you want flavor and nutrition without the added sugars.
Potential Drawbacks
While Chobani’s no sugar yogurts have many positives, there are a few potential drawbacks:
– **Added ingredients** – Extra gums, natural flavors, and vegetable concentrates make it less than 100% natural.
– **Stevia taste** – Some flavors have a noticeable stevia aftertaste that some people dislike.
– **Higher price** – No sugar varieties cost $1-2 more per pack compared to regular yogurt.
– **Less satiating** – The no sugar varieties may be slightly less filling compared to higher protein regular Greek yogurt.
These drawbacks come down to personal preference. If you don’t mind stevia, the extra $1-2, and want low sugar, the tradeoffs are likely worth it. But stick to plain yogurt if you want absolute simplicity.
Is It Healthy Overall?
Given all the nutritional pros and cons, is Chobani’s no sugar Greek yogurt ultimately a healthy choice?
The no sugar yogurts excel in providing:
– High protein
– Live probiotic cultures
– Low fat and calories
– Low sugar compared to regular flavored yogurt
This makes them one of the healthiest flavored yogurts available.
However, plain whole milk Greek yogurt has a slight edge from fewer ingredients and additional healthy fats. And the stevia, gums, and natural flavors prevent Chobani’s products from being perfect.
But most people find plain yogurt boring. For delicious Greek yogurt with less sugar and carbs, Chobani no sugar hits the spot. The fruits flavors in particular have an excellent nutrition to taste ratio.
So while not quite as ideal as plain, unsweetened yogurt, Chobani’s no sugar yogurts are still a nutritious choice overall. They make it easy to get the benefits of Greek yogurt without all the added sugars of regular flavored varieties.
The Verdict
Here is the final take on Chobani no sugar:
– Nutrition – Very good overall nutrition profile with high protein, probiotics, and low sugar compared to regular yogurt. Room for improvement by removing thickeners, natural flavors, and stevia.
– Taste – Excellent taste in fruit flavors. Mostly identical to regular yogurt sans the sweetness. More stevia aftertaste in vanilla and peach.
– Price – Slightly more expensive than regular yogurt but fairly priced compared to other Greek yogurts.
– Healthiness – A healthy choice overall, though plain yogurt is optimal for simplicity and minimal ingredients. Among the healthiest flavored yogurts.
Chobani’s no sugar yogurt, especially the fruit varieties, are a smart choice if you are looking for all the creaminess, protein, and nutrition of Greek yogurt without all the added sugars. The no sugar versions pack the probiotic and protein power you expect from Chobani with far less sugar than other flavored yogurts.
Conclusion
Chobani’s no sugar yogurts provide a deliciously healthy alternative to sugary flavored yogurts. While plain yogurt is still the gold standard from a health perspective, Chobani’s no sugar varieties come close. They minimally process real food ingredients into a portable snack, dessert, or breakfast that provides protein, probiotics, and flavor for few calories and carbs. The no sugar yogurts aren’t perfect but are one of the smartest choices in the yogurt aisle.
