Siggi’s is a popular brand of Icelandic-style yogurt made with skim milk and live active cultures. Their yogurt is high in protein and probiotics, which has contributed to its reputation as a healthy yogurt choice. But is Siggi’s as nutritious as the company claims? Let’s take a closer look at the nutrition facts and ingredients to find out.
Siggi’s Nutrition Facts
Siggi’s yogurt is thicker and creamier than regular yogurt due to the use of skim milk and low sugar content. It packs a hefty protein punch, with each 5.3 ounce container providing 15-20 grams of protein. Siggi’s is also an excellent source of calcium, providing 30% of the recommended daily value.
Here is a nutritional comparison of Siggi’s 2% plain yogurt versus other popular yogurt brands for 5.3 ounces (150 grams):
| Yogurt | Calories | Fat | Protein | Sugar | Calcium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Siggi’s 2% Plain | 110 | 2.5g | 15g | 7g | 30% DV |
| Chobani 2% Plain | 130 | 3.5g | 12g | 8g | 20% DV |
| Fage 2% Plain | 130 | 3g | 13g | 7g | 25% DV |
| Yoplait Original | 150 | 2.5g | 9g | 18g | 25% DV |
As you can see, Siggi’s has an excellent nutritional profile, with higher protein, lower sugar, and comparable calcium levels to other popular yogurts. The high protein is a standout, making Siggi’s an excellent choice if you are looking to add more protein to your diet.
Siggi’s Ingredients
In addition to the nutritional content, the quality of ingredients is an important factor when evaluating how healthy a yogurt is.
Siggi’s contains just a few simple ingredients:
– Skim milk – This is the basis of Siggi’s yogurt. Skim milk has the fat removed while retaining protein and other nutrients.
– Live active cultures – Siggi’s contains probiotic cultures including Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis, which provide digestive and immune system benefits.
– Fruit – Some Siggi’s flavors include fruit like strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries. The fruit adds sweetness without lots of added sugar.
– Cane sugar – A small amount of cane sugar is added to boost sweetness while keeping sugar content low compared to other yogurts.
– Natural flavor – Some varieties contain natural flavors to enhance taste.
– Pectin – This plant-based thickener gives Siggi’s yogurt its rich, creamy texture.
– Milk protein concentrate – Some varieties include milk protein concentrate, which adds protein content.
The minimal ingredients and lack of artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and stabilizers in Siggi’s set it apart from many other yogurts. The ingredients align with health-conscious consumers looking for short, simple, and natural ingredients.
Probiotics in Siggi’s
One of the biggest health benefits of Siggi’s yogurt is the probiotic content.
Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide health benefits when consumed. The probiotics in Siggi’s may improve digestion, enhance the immune system, and promote overall gut health.
Siggi’s contains two main strains of probiotics:
– Lactobacillus acidophilus – This strain is known to help digestion, prevent diarrhea, and may help conditions like irritable bowel syndrome.
– Bifidobacterium lactis – This probiotic helps digestion and supports immune health. Studies show it may reduce cholesterol levels and symptoms of lactose intolerance.
Siggi’s yogurt contains over 1 billion probiotic cultures per cup. The company ensures the cultures remain active up until the expiration date for maximum probiotic power.
Not all yogurts contain probiotics. The high dose of live and active cultures gives Siggi’s a leg up in the gut health department compared to yogurts without probiotics.
Sugar Content of Siggi’s
Despite the tart, thick texture, Siggi’s yogurt is relatively low in sugar compared to other yogurts.
Plain Siggi’s yogurt contains just 7 grams of sugar per serving, while flavored Siggi’s yogurt contains between 11-15 grams of sugar depending on variety.
By comparison, Yoplait yogurt contains 16-18 grams of sugar per serving for non-light varieties. Other sweetened yogurts like Danone and Dannon Light & Fit have around 12-15 grams of sugar per serving.
The lower sugar content of Siggi’s gives it an advantage for those looking to reduce added sugars and empty calories in their diet. The tart flavor profile means less sugar is required to give it sweetness.
Siggi’s achieves a creamy texture through the use of pectin instead of loading up on sugar. The fruit flavors also derive natural sweetness from fruit rather than adding heaps of sugar.
Overall, Siggi’s can be part of a low sugar diet plan as a smarter yogurt choice.
Lactose Content of Siggi’s
Siggi’s is made from skim milk, so it does contain lactose – the natural sugar found in dairy products.
Each serving has around 10 grams of lactose. The level is similar to regular yogurt.
People with lactose intolerance may be able to tolerate it. The probiotics help aid digestion, and the lactose is delivered slowly.
Those with severe lactose intolerance may still need to avoid Siggi’s and other dairy products completely. People with lactose intolerance may also benefit from taking a lactase enzyme supplement when consuming Siggi’s.
Siggi’s yogurt is not suitable for people following a dairy-free or vegan diet due to the milk content. Plant-based yogurt made from coconut or almond milk would be recommended instead.
Is Siggi’s Gluten-Free?
Siggi’s yogurt is certified gluten-free by the Gluten Intolerance Group. This makes it safe for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
Some yogurt brands add wheat or barley-containing ingredients, which introduces gluten. Siggi’s does not use any gluten-containing ingredients, so there is no cross-contamination risk.
The simple ingredients of just milk, cultures, fruit, and natural flavorings gives Siggi’s broad appeal for many dietary needs from vegan to gluten-free diets.
Potential Drawbacks of Siggi’s
While Siggi’s has many nutritional advantages, there are a few potential drawbacks to consider:
– **Higher in sodium** – Siggi’s contains around 65-80mg of sodium per serving. This is a bit higher than unsweetened plain yogurt. The sodium content could be a concern for those limiting salt intake.
– **Contains added milk protein** – Some varieties include milk protein concentrate, which boosts protein content but is more processed than just milk alone.
– **More expensive** – Siggi’s is priced at a premium over basic store brand yogurts, which could make daily consumption cost prohibitive for some.
– **Tart flavor** – The tangy Icelandic-style flavor is bold and may take some getting used to for those accustomed to sweeter yogurts.
Overall these drawbacks are minor compared to the many health advantages of Siggi’s. But they are worth factoring for individuals.
Is Siggi’s Keto-Friendly?
Siggi’s plain yogurt variants are generally keto diet approved thanks to the low sugar content and high fat content.
On a keto diet, plain Siggi’s can fit within the recommended daily carbohydrate intake, with around 5 net carb grams per serving.
The fruit flavored Siggi’s yogurts are higher in carbs so may need to be limited on keto, but can still fit in moderation.
When buying Siggi’s for keto, stick to the plain, whole milk varieties over the fruit flavored or non-fat options to derive more fat content and keep carbs low.
Siggi’s Skyr-style yogurts are also great keto options. Skyr is an Icelandic yogurt that is high in protein and fat while being low in carbs. It makes for an ideal keto-friendly yogurt choice.
Is Siggi’s Paleo-Friendly?
Siggi’s yogurt fits within the Paleo diet, which emphasizes eating whole, unprocessed foods like dairy from pasture-raised cows.
The ingredients of just milk plus live cultures align with Paleo guidelines of avoiding highly processed foods, sugar, preservatives, and artificial ingredients.
When choosing a Paleo-friendly yogurt, quality ingredients matter. Look for:
– Milk from pasture-raised cows
– Live and active cultures
– No thickeners or stabilizers
– Fruit or natural sweeteners only
Siggi’s ticks all these boxes with their simple traditionally-made yogurt. The whole milk varieties provide healthy fats.
Some Paleo followers avoid all dairy. For a true Paleo diet, dairy-free yogurt made from coconut milk would be used rather than Siggi’s. But many Paleo eaters include quality yogurt like Siggi’s.
Is Siggi’s AIP Diet Friendly?
The autoimmune protocol (AIP) diet eliminates foods like dairy that may trigger inflammation and autoimmune symptoms.
Because Siggi’s is made from dairy milk, it would not be included during the strict elimination phase of the AIP diet.
Once symptoms are stabilized and AIP dieters start reintroducing foods, Siggi’s would be an option to try reintegrating.
The simple ingredients follow the clean eating principles of AIP. Just monitor symptoms and inflammation markers when trialing Siggi’s or any dairy products after eliminating them.
Some people find sheep or goat milk dairy cause fewer issues than regular cow milk dairy on AIP diets. Goat milk yogurt may be better tolerated when reintroducing dairy.
Does Siggi’s Have Live Cultures?
Yes, Siggi’s contains live and active yogurt cultures.
Each cup provides at least 1 billion colony forming units (CFUs) of the probiotic strains Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis.
These live cultures are responsible for the unique tart and thick texture of Icelandic yogurt. The cultures break down the lactose, producing lactic acid and giving Siggi’s its characteristic tang.
Siggi’s uses traditional slow yogurt making techniques to allow the live cultures time to proliferate and reach high CFU counts.
The company tightly controls the fermentation process to create an ideal environment for the probiotic cultures. This ensures the highest viable culture count up until the expiration date.
So unlike some yogurts that kill cultures through heat treatment, Siggi’s delivers a therapeutic dose of probiotics per serving.
Is Siggi’s Organic?
Siggi’s uses milk from cows that are not treated with the artificial growth hormone rBST. However, Siggi’s yogurt is not certified organic.
The non-organic milk may come from cows raised in concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) rather than open pastures. Organic yogurt must use milk from cows fed only organic feed without antibiotics or hormones.
While not certified organic, Siggi’s milk still meets high quality standards. But for those specifically seeking organic yogurt, other brands like Stonyfield or Maple Hill Creamery would be recommended.
Is Siggi’s Yogurt Good For Weight Loss?
Siggi’s can support weight loss and maintenance in several ways:
– **High protein** – The extra protein content of Siggi’s yogurt increases satiety, helps preserve lean muscle mass, and provides a steady energy source. High protein foods are beneficial for weight control.
– **Low sugar** – With minimal added sugars, Siggi’s prevents blood sugar spikes. This provides an even energy release and reduces cravings.
– **Probiotics** – The gut-healthy probiotics may promote a healthy metabolism and aid digestion.
– **Nutrients** – The calcium, potassium and active cultures in Siggi’s support overall health to enable effective weight management.
– **Thick texture** – The creamy, thick consistency is satisfying and may curb appetites.
Siggi’s makes a smart snack or breakfast option as part of a calorie-controlled diet for weight loss or maintenance. Pair it with fiber-rich fruits, nuts, or whole grains to provide a nutrient-dense meal that provides lasting fullness.
Does Siggi’s Have Added Hormones?
No, Siggi’s yogurt does not contain any added hormones.
Siggi’s is made with milk from cows not treated with the artificial growth hormone rBST. Conventional yogurts may use milk from cows given growth hormones to boost milk production.
By choosing milk from cows raised without artificial hormones, Siggi’s appeals to consumers seeking a natural, additive-free yogurt. Hormone and antibiotic use is a concern, as residue may end up in the milk or yogurt itself.
It is important to note the milk used in Siggi’s is not organic. So while the milk comes from cows that are rBST-free, they still may receive other growth hormones or antibiotics that are allowed in conventional dairy farming.
For the most stringent standards, organic yogurt must be made from milk of cows not given any artificial hormones or antibiotics.
Is Siggi’s Yogurt Safe During Pregnancy?
Yes, Siggi’s yogurt can be safely consumed during pregnancy. Here’s why it makes healthy prenatal snack:
– **Calcium for baby’s bones** – Siggi’s provides 30% of the daily need for calcium. Calcium is essential for developing strong bones and teeth.
– **Probiotics** – The live cultures may help ease digestive issues like constipation that are common in pregnancy. The immunities from probiotics also benefit both mom and baby.
– **Protein for growth** – The high protein content helps support the rapid growth occurring during pregnancy. Protein is especially key in the second and third trimesters.
– **Potassium** – Siggi’s provides potassium for muscle, heart, and nervous system health during pregnancy.
– **No harmful ingredients** – Siggi’s is free of artificial sweeteners, preservatives, hormones, or other additives that may be risky during pregnancy.
As with any food, those who are pregnant should ensure they are not allergic or intolerant to milk or yogurt. Provided there are no issues, Siggi’s is a nutritious choice during pregnancy.
Can Babies Eat Siggi’s Yogurt?
Siggi’s yogurt can be introduced to babies around 6 months of age as a first food. Here’s what parents need to know:
– **Start simple** – Offer plain whole milk Siggi’s yogurt with no added fruit or flavors initially. Watch for any signs of intolerance.
– **Possible allergy risk** – Dairy is one of the most common food allergens, so monitor baby closely for reactions when first feeding Siggi’s or dairy products.
– **Probiotic benefits** – The cultures support baby’s developing digestion and immunity. But confer with pediatrician, as some strains like L. acidophilus are not recommended for infants under 1 year.
– **Easy on texture** – The smooth, creamy texture makes it easy to swallow. Mash or thin with breastmilk or formula if too thick.
– **Boosts nutrition** – Provides extra protein, calcium, potassium, B12 and phosphorus compared to milk alone. Great brain and bone builder!
Gradually offer larger servings of Siggi’s and expand flavors as baby’s tolerance allows. The high nutrition makes it a fantastic first real food.
Conclusion
Siggi’s yogurt is packed with nutrition and health-promoting probiotics. With high protein, calcium, and live cultures, Siggi’s provides major benefits for digestion, immunity, weight management, and overall health.
The low sugar content sets Siggi’s apart from many other yogurts, while keeping calories and carbs in check. The short list of wholesome ingredients also suits various diets from gluten-free to keto.
While not certified organic, Siggi’s quality standards and rBST-free milk still make it a leading choice versus conventional yogurts. Any potential drawbacks seem minor compared to the many perks.
Icelandic-style Siggi’s yogurt has unique nutritional advantages plus great taste. Overall, Siggi’s is one of the healthiest yogurts available and can be part of a balanced, wellness-supporting diet.
