Chances are, you've noticed the dizzying array of yogurts lining the dairy case, but now, trendy Greek yogurt is making its way to the freezer. Several notable companies, like Ben & Jerry's and Healthy Choice, just launched frozen Greek yogurts into their lines of sweet treats. And it's no wonder why: Greek varieties pack more protein than regular frozen yogurts and many brands contain probiotics, bacteria that aid in digestion and immunity (look for "Active Live Cultures" on labels). But reach into the freezer case with caution: Just because they're yogurt, doesn't mean they're healthy. To help guide you through the frozen aisle, some coworkers and I had the particularly tasty task of sampling these products. Here's what we thought:
Related: Top Taste-Tested Greek Yogurts
Healthy Choice Greek Frozen YogurtHealthy Choice: In handy, can't-overscoop-individual portions, its new Greek Frozen Yogurt, available in Vanilla Bean, Raspberry, Strawberry, and Blueberry, comes in at only 100 calories, 1.5 to 2 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, and 12 g sugar per dish, not to mention 4 g of filling protein. While the texture was creamy, in a side-by-side comparison with the Ben & Jerry's frozen treats, we found it a little "chewy" and not as rich as the Ben & Jerry's sample. But at half the calories and a fraction of the sat fat, this is a sacrifice we're willing to make. We think it would be tasty topped with summery berries or graham cracker crumbs.
Yasso Frozen Greek YogurtYasso: At only 70 calories and 11 to 12 g sugar, these fat-free pops are a great bet for dieters or anyone looking for a guiltless sweet treat. Available in Strawberry, Blueberry, and Raspberry. Our in-house foodies and their elementary-school aged kids are all fans.
Related: Tastiest Guilt-Free Frozen Treats
Oikos Greek Frozen YogurtStonyfield: These Greek Frozen Yogurts are 100 to 110 calories per half cup, fat-free, and have 16 to 20 grams of sugar. We tried out the Peach Mango and Super Fruits, which was dubbed "a real winner" by one of the tasters. Also available in honey, chocolate, blueberry, and vanilla. For something more indulgent, try the Stonyfield Farm Nonfat After Dark Chocolate Frozen Yogurt Novelty Bar.
Ciao Bella: Perfectly portioned at 75 calories, these fat-free bars satisfied my sweet tooth (with only 13 grams of sugar). I tested out the peach flavor, but they're also available in Blueberry. If you'd prefer to scoop, try Vanilla, Key Lime, Espresso, Raspberry, or Mango flavors, which are available in pints. The texture was creamy, flavor authentic, and the size was generous for the calories. We also loved the Ciao Bella Blueberry Passion Sorbet Bar that we sampled in a previous test.
Related: The Truth About Probiotics
Lifeway Frozen Kefir: Though it's not Greek yogurt, we thought this was worth a mention. Kefir, a cultured probiotic, has now taken frozen form in Mango, Pomegranate, Strawberry, Chocolate, Dulce de Leche, Pumpkin, and Original flavors. At only 90 calories and 1 g of fat per half cup it's a smart dessert choice if you like the tart flavor. Lifeway also makes a Greek Frozen Yogurt in Honey Swirl, Chocolate Swirl, and Blood Orange Swirl but we didn't try them out.
Ben & Jerry's Frozen Greek YogurtBen & Jerry's: Just as with its Vanilla Ice Cream, Ben & Jerry's has done it right. In Raspberry Fudge Chunk, Banana Peanut Butter, Strawberry Shortcake, and Blueberry Vanilla Graham, Ben & Jerry's has stuck to its tradition of serving up decadent, rich concoctions. However, these desserts are anything but light, considering they're loaded with the chunks and swirls typical of Ben & Jerry's treats. While by far the tastiest of our bunch, indulgence comes at a cost: These Greek yogurts aren't much lower in calories than their cream-based counterparts, and they have the same amount of sugar. For fun, I compared each flavor to a similar one in ice cream (see chart below.) Though you'll be saving on artery-clogging saturated fat and adding a few extra grams of protein, since the calories hover around 200, we consider these desserts occasional treats. And when it comes to those every-so-often splurges, it's fine to let your taste buds guide your choices (instead of the nutrition facts panel) and choose whichever creamy concoction you'll truly savor.
Related: Flavorful Frozen Fruit Bars
|
Raspberry Fudge Chunk Frozen Greek Yogurt |
Cherry Garcia Ice Cream |
Banana Peanut Butter Frozen Greek Yogurt |
Chunky Monkey Ice Cream |
|
200 calories |
240 calories |
210 calories |
290 calories |
|
7 g fat |
13 g fat |
8 g fat |
18 g fat |
|
5 g saturated fat |
9 g saturated fat |
2.5 g saturated fat |
10 g saturated fat |
|
25 g sugar |
23 g sugar |
26 g sugar |
27 g sugar |
|
6 g protein |
4 g protein |
6 g protein |
4 g protein |
|
Strawberry Shortcake Frozen Greek Yogurt |
Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
|
Blueberry Vanilla Graham Frozen Greek Yogurt |
Peach Cobbler Ice Cream |
|
180 calories |
250 calories |
200 calories |
220 calories |
|
5 g fat |
15 g fat |
7 g fat |
11 g fat |
|
3 g saturated fat |
7 g saturated fat |
3 g saturated fat |
7 g saturated fat |
|
23 g sugar |
22 g sugar |
23 g sugar |
26 g sugar |
|
6 g protein |
3 g protein |
6 g protein |
3 g protein |
For more guilt-free frozen treat ideas, check out the results of our official taste test of low calorie ice cream sandwiches, chocolate-covered ice cream bars, and fudge bars. And speaking of frozen desserts, if you happen to be hitting the scoop shop, check out our investigation on portion sizes.
What are your favorite kinds of frozen yogurt? Let me know in the comments!
- by Jenn LaVardera, nutrition intern, master's degree candidate in nutrition communication at Tufts University
More from Good Housekeeping:
