Patient information leaflet Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Choosing the most suitable yoghurt Nutrition & Dietetics
This booklet tells you about: Why yoghurts are useful to include in your diet: Yoghurts are a convenient snack or pudding They are a useful source of calcium and protein They are available in low fat, low calorie or full fat varieties There are many different flavours and they may be smooth or contain fruit, biscuit or cereal pieces. Which yoghurt to choose if you: have diabetes or are overweight are a healthy weight but need to reduce your blood cholesterol level or control your weight wish to lower your blood cholesterol level with stanol esters from a yoghurt or yoghurt drink are underweight or have had a poor appetite are vegan or follow a milk free diet wish to include live bacteria in your yoghurt wish a liquid or drink option How to use labels to choose the most suitable yoghurt Which yoghurt should I choose if: 1. I have diabetes or am overweight? Diet yoghurt (virtually fat free) are very low in fat and sugar. Artificial sweeteners may be used instead of sugar. They are a useful source of calcium if you need to lose weight or have diabetes. Look for yoghurts that are fat free with calorie content less than 80kcal and less than 10g of sugar. 2
Examples: Danone Activia Everyday Classics 0% Fat (vanilla, raspberry, lemon & lime, pineapple, blueberry flavours only) Irish Yogurts Diet Weight Watchers Tesco Healthy Living Greek Style Fat Free Co-op Natural Yoghurt 2. I have high blood cholesterol or wish to maintain a healthy weight? Yoghurts labelled as low fat have some fat removed so are useful for people who need to reduce their fat intake. However, they often have a higher sugar content so may still be high in calories. If you wish to maintain your weight or have diabetes and successfully managing your blood sugar control then you can include these yoghurts. There should be no more than 2.5g fat per serving. Examples: Rachel s Organic low fat yoghurt Nestlé Ski or Ski Smooth Muller light 175g pot Tesco Healthy Living Benecol fat free 3
3. I wish to lower my blood cholesterol level with stanol esters from a yoghurt or yoghurt drink? Yoghurts containing plant stanol esters have been proven to lower blood cholesterol if the appropriate number of portions of stanol esters are consumed per day. They are only useful if a healthy low fat diet is also followed. Although advertised as a healthy yoghurt, they are not necessarily low in fat and sugar. Check the label. Examples: Benecol Light Natural Yogurt Drinks * Benecol drinks * Flora ProActiv * or Flora Proactive reduced sugar * Tesco Chol yoghurt drinks Benecol yoghurts 4. I am underweight or have a poor appetite? Full fat yoghurts are higher in calories than other yoghurts because they generally contain more fat and sugar. They are useful if you need to increase your energy intake because you need to gain weight or have a poor appetite. The calorie value depends upon the size of the portion and the fat and sugar content. Examples: Co-op West Country yoghurt Muller Crunch Corner, Thick & Creamy or Amore Sainsbury s Taste the Difference Tesco Finest Rachel s Organic creamy (bio live) 4
5. I am vegan or follow a milk free diet? If you are vegan or following a milk free diet then there are options available for you. Choose yoghurts fortified with calcium so that they have a similar content to cow s milk yoghurt. Organic varieties cannot be fortified with any vitamins or minerals. These yoghurts may be high in fat or sugar. Examples: St Helens Farm Goats Milk Yoghurt (contains active bacteria cultures) Tesco Free From (contains active bacteria cultures) Alpro Soya yoghurt (contains active bacteria cultures) Benecol Dairy Free drinks 6. I wish to include live bacteria in my yoghurt? Probiotic/live yoghurts contain live bacteria e.g. Bifidus essensis, Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus acidophilus. The bacteria may be beneficial for people with gut problems caused by an imbalance in their microflora (bacteria). There is evidence to show that probiotics can help prevent diarrhoea during a course of antibiotics. They are available in low and full fat varieties. Examples: Danone Activia Onken Bio pot Muller Vitality Tesco Healthy Living Natural Bio Yoghurt Yeo Valley Organic Bio Live or Inner Balance 5
7. I wish to have a liquid/drink option? Yoghurt drinks may or may not contain active bacteria. There are lower sugar varieties available. Please note product flavours vary in sugar content. Examples with added bacteria: Danone Actimel (varies from 11g to 13g sugars per 100g bottle) Danone Actimel fat free * (varies from 3.3g to 3.5g sugars per 100g bottle) Yakult * (9.2g sugar per 65ml bottle) Yakult Light * (3.6g sugar per 65ml) Muller Vitality (10.6g per 100g bottle) Examples with no bacteria: Calin strawberry yogurt drink (10.1g sugar per 100ml) Yop (12.0g sugar per 100ml) Tesco goodness strawberry yogurt drinks (11g sugar per 100ml) If you are receiving chemotherapy treatment, it may be appropriate to choose yoghurts/yoghurt drinks without added bacteria. *These yoghurt drinks are suitable for those with diabetes. How to use labels to choose the most suitable yoghurt An example of a diet yoghurt showing the sugar and fat content per 120g pot. 6
An example of a high fat and high sugar label for a 120g pot. Please note that the branded product names were correct at the time of publication and are given as a guide to products available. Composition of yoghurts can change. It is important to regularly check the composition on the label. Further information and key reference sources: British Dietetic Association https://www.bda.uk.com/foodfacts/home This leaflet is produced by the Nutrition and Dietetics Department at Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. It is not a substitute for dietary advice given to a specific individual by a dietitian. If you need to see a dietitian, ask your GP or consultant for a referral. 7
If you have any questions about the information in this leaflet please contact the Dietetic Department at the address below: Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Department of Nutrition and Dietetics Egerton Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XX 8
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Contact details Switchboard telephone: 01483 571122 ext 4202 Direct line: 01483 464119 Fax: 01483 464868 Email: rsch.dietitians@nhs.net Royal Surrey County Hospital (RSCH) NHS Foundation Trust fully subscribes to the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) Being Open best practice framework, November 2010. PALS and Advocacy contact details Contact details of independent advocacy services can be provided by our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) who are located in far left corner as you enter the main reception area. PALS are also your first point of contact for health related issues, questions or concerns surrounding RSCH patient services. Telephone: 01483 402757 Email: rsc-tr.pals@nhs.net Opening hours: 9.00am 4.00pm, Monday to Friday If you would like information documents in large print, on tape or in another language or form please contact PALS. Review date: May 2017 Author: Susan Hendry PIN140521 033 Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 2014