4 Best Yogurt For Probiotics To Improve Your Health
If you have digestive issues like IBS and SIBO, you know it’s important to add probiotics to your diet in order to keep your gut health in check. Why? Because incorporating foods like yogurt with probiotics into your diet may help treat gastrointestinal disorders, treat and prevent vaginal and urinary tract infections, and delay allergy development in children. [1]
It’s common to see yogurt advertised as a probiotic food, but what does that really mean? Well, yogurt is made by fermentation of milk using live bacteria. This fermentation process creates lactic acid, which gives yogurt its sour taste and thick texture. The live bacteria in yogurt (Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus) are responsible for its probiotic effects.
So whether you’re struggling with digestive issues, or you’re just looking for a way to add more probiotics to your diet, yogurt is a great option to start with.
But not all yogurts are created equal – some have far more probiotics than others. So how do you know which one is the best for you?
Read on for our top picks!
Top Yogurts For Probiotics
1. Maple Hill Creamery
Our top pick is Maple Hill Creamery yogurt because of its creamy, satiating texture and quality ingredients. It is made in the traditional ‘cream on top’ style, meaning the yogurt does not go through the industrial process of homogenization. Some of the fat naturally rises to the top in a very thin layer of cream, reflecting the traditional process of yogurt-making for over 2,000 years.
Plus, its milk comes from pasture-raised cows and it contains no filler ingredients — not even sugar — making this perfect for those with digestive troubles.
Pros:
- Certified Climate Pledge Friendly, made with sustainable practices
- Free from added colors, high-fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners
- Milk comes from pasture-raised cows
- Contains 8 grams of protein per serving and only 150 calories
- Vegetarian friendly
- Contains no added sugar
- Kosher certified
- Contains numerous active probiotic strains
- Non-GMO
- Contains no gluten
- Tastes delicious!
- 4.5 average star reviews on Amazon out of 1859 reviews
Cons:
- CFU unknown
- Higher price point
2. Stonyfield Organic Whole Milk Probiotic Yogurt
The Stonyfield Organic Whole Milk Probiotic Yogurt is one of the highest-rated on Amazon. And with its sustainable production method and pasture-raised milk, you know you’re doing right by the planet, too.
Pros:
- Contains numerous active probiotic strains
- Affordable price point
- Certified Climate Pledge Friendly, made with sustainable practices
- Milk comes from pasture-raised cows
- Certified USDA organic
- Made without the use of toxic persistent pesticides, antibiotics, artificial growth hormones, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
- Made with whole milk offering healthy fats
- Gluten free
- Contains no high-fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners
- Tastes delicious!
- 4.8 average star reviews on Amazon out of 4205 reviews
Cons:
- CFU unknown
- Contains small amount of added sugar
- Lower in protein than some other options
3. Activia Probiotic Dailies Low Fat Yogurt Drink
With an average of 4.8 stars on Amazon, the Activia Probiotic Dailies is a popular, convenient, and tasty choice for probiotic yogurt.
Pros:
- Non-GMO Project verified
- Contains numerous active probiotic strains
- Conveniently packaged
- Tastes delicious!
- 4.8 average star reviews on Amazon out of 893 reviews
- Low-fat product
- Contains three grams of protein per serving
- Contains no high-fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners
- Relatively good price point per bottle
Cons:
- CFU unknown
- Contains added sugar
- High-waste plastic packaging
4. Chobani Probiotic Greek Yogurt Drink
Chobani is a classic brand loved by many. This yogurt drink comes in a convenient bottle so you can drink it on the go, making it perfect for busy people.
Pros:
- Made with a unique combination of 6 scientifically confirmed probiotic strains including lgg
- Contains 6 grams of protein per serving
- Contains 10% of your daily calcium needs per serving
- Contains no high-fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, or artificial sweeteners
- Vegetarian friendly
- Kosher certified
- Non-GMO
- Contains no gluten
- Conveniently packaged
- Tastes delicious!
- 4.5 average star reviews on Amazon out of 664 reviews
Cons:
- CFU unknown
- Higher price point
Which Yogurt is Highest in Probiotics?
This is a popular question, but in reality, not the most useful one.
There are many different types of yogurts on the market, and not all of them are created equal when it comes to probiotic content. Some yogurts are heat-treated, which kills the live bacteria. Others are made with pasteurized milk, which also reduces the number of live bacteria present.
To answer this question, let’s look at CFU. CFU, or Colony Forming Units, are the number of bacteria and yeast contained in your probiotic that can divide and form colonies. Many experts recommend between 6 and 10 billion CFU daily (remember that these will come from many different foods in your diet, not solely your probiotic yogurt).
Yogurt doesn’t usually list the CFU as a probiotic supplement would. Many commercial yogurts are actually quite low in probiotics. In fact, some brands have no live bacteria at all! This is because the manufacturing process often kills beneficial microbes.
Instead of aiming for yogurt with the most volume of probiotics, it’s better to prioritize high-quality yogurt. That means there is a higher chance of the bacteria being active by the time you’re ready to eat it.
So, how can you tell if your yogurt is high in probiotics? The best way is to check the label for the words “live and active cultures.” These yogurts will have the highest levels of live bacteria.
Another way to ensure you’re getting a probiotic-rich yogurt is to make your own at home. Homemade yogurts are easy to make and you can control the ingredients, so you know exactly what’s going into them.
Is Greek yogurt better for probiotics?
There is some debate over whether or not Greek yogurt is actually better for probiotics than regular yogurt. Some experts believe that Greek yogurt contains more live and active cultures, which are beneficial for gut health.
However, others say that the fermentation process used to make Greek yogurt kills off many of the beneficial bacteria. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which type of yogurt is best for you. If you’re looking for a probiotic-rich food, Greek yogurt can be a good option. However, keep in mind that all yogurts contain live and active cultures, so any type of yogurt can be a part of a healthy diet.
Does all yogurt have probiotics?
To be considered probiotic, a yogurt must contain live and active cultures. Probiotic yogurts are usually found in the refrigerated section of the grocery store, and often contain labels that say “contains live and active cultures.”
Not all yogurts with live and active cultures are probiotic, however. The yogurt must also contain a certain type of bacteria, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, to be considered probiotic. If you’re looking for a probiotic yogurt, be sure to check the label to see if it contains live and active cultures, and look for the specific type of bacteria you want.
How to add yogurt with probiotics to your daily routine
Most people eat yogurt plain, and while that’s a great way to eat it, it can get old fast.
Here are some fun ideas to keep it interesting:
- Add some toppings like nuts, seeds, fresh and dried fruit, coconut, granola, honey, and herbs!
- Add yogurt to your breakfast cereal or oatmeal
- Mix yogurt into a fruit smoothie
- Use yogurt as a dip for fruits and vegetables
- Make herby dips with yogurt as a base
- Make a healthy yogurt parfait for a quick snack
- Add yogurt to your favorite soup or chili recipe
- Use yogurt as a base for homemade salad dressings
What to Consider When Buying Yogurt For Probiotics
Live, Active Cultures
If the bacteria aren’t living by the time they reach your digestive system, you’ll miss out on the amazing benefits they offer.
The FDA mandates that yogurts must state whether or not they contain live and active cultures. This means that yogurt contains billions of CFU, or colony-forming units. [2]
Prebiotic Content
Prebiotics are the food that your healthy gut bacteria feast on. Incorporating prebiotic supplements and foods into your diet means you take care of the helpful bacteria that are already in your gut, plus feeding the new ones you introduce with probiotics.
Added Ingredients
Many yogurts contain additives like sugar, artificial sweeteners, colors, flavoring agents, and preservatives. It is best to choose one with minimal ingredients to reduce the chance of getting indigestion from these additives.
Low Sugar Content
It is best to choose yogurt with the lowest sugar content possible. If you like it sweeter, you can add your own fresh fruit or honey.
Improve Your Immune System and Gut Flora Naturally
Don’t forget to include other probiotic and prebiotic foods into your diet, too. Tempeh, sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, yogurt, miso, pickles, chicory root, garlic, onions, leeks, asparagus, bananas, dandelion greens, barley, oats, apples, and kombucha are excellent probiotic and prebiotic foods to consume regularly.
Conclusion
So, what’s the verdict? If you want a good source of probiotics, aim for quality over quantity. When shopping for yogurt, prioritize brands that list “active cultures” on their labels and avoid anything with the words “heat-treated” or “pasteurized.”
With so many delicious varieties of high-quality yogurt to choose from these days, it has never been easier to get your daily dose of probiotics!
Written by Stephanie Moore
Stephanie is a professional writer who is a ‘SIBO survivor’ herself with broad experience writing in the health field. She is a regular writer for SIBO Survivor and calls Berlin, Germany home.
Resources:
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/vitamins-and-supplements/health-benefits-of-taking-probiotics
- https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-amends-standard-identity-yogurt
