Yoghurt a disguised dessert, warn experts

Some flavoured yoghurts hide more than seven teaspoons of sugar per serve, warn health experts.

Research commissioned by the Heart Foundation Victoria and Cancer Council Victoria has found the majority of the almost 200 flavoured yoghurts surveyed contained more than three teaspoons of sugar per 100g.

Some yoghurts contained 7.5 teaspoons of sugar in just one small 160g tub, or 4.5 teaspoons of sugar per 100g - almost as much sugar as ice cream.

They are desserts in disguise not a healthy snack, says Dietitian Alison McAleese from the LiveLighter Program.

"Our research has found that some manufacturers are turning yoghurt - which is normally a healthy food - into a dessert by adding excessive amounts of sugar or cream," Ms McAleese said.

The worst offenders were Gippsland Dairy Choc Cherry Twist with 7.5 teaspoons of sugar per serve and Tamar Valley Dairy's Greek Style yoghurt raspberry flavour (7 teaspoons).

Among the lowest-sugar flavoured yoghurts were Rokeby Farms whole protein Swedish style quark yoghurt coconut with 2.8 teaspoons of sugar per serve and the Ski D'Lite real yoghurt 25% les sugar strawberry (3.4 teaspoons).

Yoghurt can been a great source of calcium and protein but consumers must be on the look out for the hidden sugar, says Heart Foundation Victoria CEO Kellie Ann Jolly.

"Reduced-fat Greek, natural or plain yoghurts are best as they tend to have less sugar and saturated fat than flavoured varieties," Ms Jolly said.

TIPS FOR CHOOSING A HEALTHY YOGHURT

* Choose reduced fat products with less than 12g of sugar per 100g

* Add fruit, nuts or seeds to flavour plain yoghurt

* Avoid yoghurts with cream in ingredients

* Coconut yoghurts are extremely high in fat and low in calcium

* Don't rely on the label, read the nutrition information

(Source: LiveLighter Program)