Why low fat yogurt could be making you gain weight, nutritionist warns

If you’re trying to lose weight, avoiding fat free yogurt could be essential.  While natural yogurt is packed full of goodness and nutrients - including calcium, vitamin B-2, B-12,

potassium, and magnesium - low fat yogurt has been stripped of some of these.  Food manufacturers remove the saturated fat from foods and, when it comes to yogurt, usually they add sugar,

high fructose corn syrup or artificial sweetener. According to the USDA, just over 200g of low-fat fruit-flavoured yogurt contains 225 calories, 2.6 grams of fat, 9 grams of protein and a

whopping 42.3 grams of sugar.  Roughly the same amount of plain Greek yogurt was reported to have 194 calories, 10 grams of fat, 18 grams of protein and just 8 grams of sugar. 

Degree-qualified Functional Nutritionist Christine Bailey spoke to Express.co.uk about why food labelled ‘healthy’ might not always be the best option.  Speaking to Express.co.uk in August

2016, she said: "Some believe that low-fat diets are the only way to prevent or reverse heart disease or lose weight.  "However, the overwhelming scientific research does not

support the conclusion that total fat or even dietary cholesterol are linked to heart disease.  "So rather than shunning all fat you should be putting emphasis on optimising the best

types of dietary fat in your diet.  "While it is widely believed saturated fat, found in full-fat dairy, is detrimental to your health, no significant evidence has been found to prove

this.  "Saturated fats provide the building blocks for your cell membranes and a variety of hormones and hormone-like substances that are essential to your health." Christine

explained the effect eating low-fat labelled food had on our bodies.  RECIPE FOR TASTY, MOOD-BOOSTING, LOW FAT MACARONI CHEESE She said: “When you eat fats as part of your meal, they slow

down absorption so that you can go longer without feeling hungry. Choosing lower fat versions will not have this effect which can mean you end up eating more.  “You are also likely to

consume more carbohydrates which can cause more fluctuations in blood sugar and more likely to cause weight gain.” In addition, Christine added, when you eat full fat versions remember they

act as carriers for important fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. Dietary fats are also needed for the conversion of carotene to vitamin A, for mineral absorption, and for a host of other

biological processes.