Is froyo healthy?

The frozen yogurt trend clearly has not died down. While some froyo brands met their demise and folded quickly, others have managed an impressive lifespan with their queues holding steady, and new froyo brands pop up rather frequently. Fortunately for froyo shop owners, a perennially hot tropical climate means a continuous stream of customers curiously seeking out the next big dessert treat…

But before you consume froyo by the tub, thinking it a healthy treat, let us first examine its nutritional value. Is froyo really healthy? Or is it a calorie bomb well-disguised by clever advertising?

Photo: Dailypresso

Froyo VS ice cream

Froyo is made with yogurt, while ice cream is made with cream. Ice cream thus boasts more fat and calories than frozen yogurt. This does not immediately make frozen yogurt the better alternative, however, as many brands add sugar to get rid of yogurt’s tart taste! Some frozen yogurt brands may pack even more sugar than ice cream.

Portion control downfall

Tricked into thinking froyo as “healthy,” many people may think they can eat more of it and spoon out overly generous portions of froyo. Making it rain with the toppings – sauces, crunches, and sweets – will then cause the froyo cup to run as high as 400 to 600 calories.

Photo: Thebodydietetics

So, is frozen yogurt healthy?

The short answer – yes, it is a healthier treat than most cakes and other sweets. However, typically loaded with large amounts of sugar, froyo should not make for a regular snack.

Fresh fruit, vegetable sticks, and whole foods are still the healthiest snacks you can go for.

Commercial/supermarket-brand yogurts

Yogurt can make for a healthy snack. It is rich in probiotics – live bacteria and yeast that keep your gut healthy. The right kind of yogurt can serve as a healthy, protein-dense breakfast or mid-day snack that keeps you full.

Photo: Girlygetsfit

What is your “right kind of yogurt?” Depending on your nutritional needs, you may go for whole milk, low-fat, or non-fat yogurt. Go for one with the right tang or texture for your tastebuds.

Look out for the sugar content – many flavoured yogurt brands come in a variety of mouth watering flavours that do not contain real fruits but their pureed forms which are high in sugar content.

Instead of going for already-flavoured commercial yogurts, opt for the plain types and add fresh fruit or natural sweeteners yourself so as to control the amount of sweetness in your yogurt.

Photo: Thoughtco

Froyo vs Greek yogurt

Greek yogurt has had its run in the spotlight before, and for good reason. Compared to regular yogurt, greek yogurt packs an enormous protein punch. Strained of its liquid whey, it is thicker and creamier in texture.

Greek yogurt does, however, have more fat than regular yogurt. For those seeking to consume fewer calories, light greek yogurt is a good alternative.

Photo: Health.usnews

Ultimately, we are not saying that you should stay far away from frozen yogurt, but that foods such as frozen yogurt and flavoured yogurt are often marketed as health foods. They might be relatively healthier than the other processed foods but are still a hidden source of high-calorie food that is often misunderstood as fat-free. Virtuous-sounding as froyo may sound, it may not always be the superior option.