Yogurt has been touted as a health food for some years, and that’s probably true because it’s an excellent source of calcium and protein. It also contains beneficial probiotics, which are friendly bacteria that can take up residence in your digestive tract (which is a good thing). But you may wonder whether frozen yogurt is just as good for you. Maybe, but maybe not.
Frozen yogurt consists of yogurt made from milk, including milk solids and milk fats. It also contains corn syrup, flavourings, gelatine, emulsifiers and yogurt culture.
Ice cream is made with cream, a key ingredient that distinguishes it from frozen yogurt. Ice cream is also made with milk, eggs yolks and sugar.
Frozen yogurt contains the same probiotics that are found in yogurt. Probiotics are live bacteria that are also known as “good bacteria.” When eaten, they can have beneficial effects on your health. But there is a difference between yogurt and frozen yogurt: frozen yogurt is frozen, and the bacteria strains don’t always survive the freezing process. This step prevents frozen yogurt from supporting a healthy digestive system and hence it should not be used as a substitute of yogurt. Hence to check for probiotics in a frozen yogurt, the claim for “live cultures” are to be seen.
But when talked as a substitute to ice-cream or dessert, frozen yogurt surpasses the nutritional value in comparison to ice-creams and desserts. The nutrition content of frozen yogurt can vary depending on the type of milk, sweeteners and flavourings used in the yogurt mixture. For example, frozen yogurt made with non-fat milk will have a lower fat content than varieties made with whole milk. Additionally, the toppings you choose can add extra calories, fat and sugar to the final product.
Frozen yogurt also contains reasonable amounts of some of the nutrients linked with good bone health, like calcium and protein. One of the reasons people choose frozen yogurt is because it’s thought to be a healthier option than ice cream. The main difference between the two products is that frozen yogurt is made with milk and not cream. This means that ice cream contains more fat. However, it’s important to note that manufacturers often make up for this lack of fat with sugar. So beware the frozen yogurt you are eating can contain as much, of sugar than that of an ice cream. This is especially true for the non-fat versions of frozen yogurt, which tend to contain more sugar to make it tastier. And when combined with large serving sizes and a variety of high-sugar topping options, the frozen yogurt can end up having way more calories and sugar than an ice cream cone. So despite the healthy-sounding name, frozen yogurt is a dessert just like ice cream. Neither is better than the other, and either can be enjoyed occasionally as a treat.