The Best Yogurt Brands in Canada  

Yogurt is a healthy snack, they say. They, however, do not specify which particular yogurt has nutritional value and which one is a creamy sugar bomb. Every supermarket offers overwhelming variety of yogurts and every brand promises the creamiest texture and cleanest ingredients. Hence, choosing yogurt that would provide enough minerals and vitamins and a satisfying taste might be challenging.  

There is a thing or two you would want to know about types of yogurts on the market and their dietary benefits. From creamy and dense Greek yogurts to Balkan style and dairy-free alternatives, we are going to compare each type and help you find the one that would best fit your diet.   

Besides, Canada’s dairy industry is one of the leading in the world, where ‘made in Canada’ yogurt brands have gained widespread popularity. Due to its natural ingredients and distinguished taste Canadian yogurt became an essential part of breakfast in many households.   

We love tasty food and believe that knowing how it is made and where do ingredients come from is the key to choosing the best products for you and your family.

That is why we based our selection of the best yogurts in Canada on the following factors.

First, we analyzed how Canadians review their favourite yogurts, flavours, fat percentage and protein amount.

Second, we looked at what other buying guides, food blogs (Real Simple, Eat This, Not That! and others), and nutritionists say about the best yogurts in Canada.

Third, we chose only those brands that use 100% Canadian milk and have a reputation for caring about the quality and content of their yogurts.

Read more on Kitchen and Dining. 

Type:   

While all yogurt is generally made by combining fermenting milk with bacteria, there are several types that vary in texture, thickness, taste and amount of protein. 

• Traditional yogurt has a thinner texture than other kinds (Greek, Balkan, Skyr) and a lower amount of protein (six grams per half a cup of serving). Yet, despite a thinner texture, traditional yogurt is a substantial source of calcium, vitamins A and D and iron.   
• The thick texture of Greek yogurt is achieved through straining traditional yogurt, hence reducing the whey and moisture. The end product contains a higher protein amount (eleven grams per half a cup of serving) and is a source of calcium, B12, iron and vitamin A.   
• Balkan yogurt, although thicker than traditional yogurt, is still thinner than Greek (depending on the brand) and has the same protein content (six grams per half a cup of serving). Its texture is achieved by adding bacteria to the milk, placing it in a final container and leaving it until ready to be consumed.    
• Skyr has the highest protein amount (thirteen grams per half a cup of serving). It is similar to Greek yogurt, where the thick texture is achieved through straining. However, Skyr yogurt requires even more straining. Compared to Greek yogurt, Skyr has less tart flavour which is something that keeps many people from eating yogurt. Of course, just like other types of yogurt, Skyr is a source of calcium, iron and vitamins.    
• Lactose-free yogurt is made with Lactaze which breaks down lactose without depriving product of its original taste and texture. Therefore, the nutritional value of lactose-free yogurt is equivalent to conventional products and provides as much calcium, vitamin A and iron.    
• Non-dairy or nut-based yogurts are made through the same process of fermentation, yet with the use of nut base instead of milk. Keep in mind that most brands will add starches and gums for thicker texture, hence if you are looking for the cleanest product possible choose lactose-free yogurt instead. Additionally, nut-based yogurts contain a much lower amount of protein (three grams per half a cup of serving), and cannot be considered a rich source of calcium compared to milk-based yogurts.    

Probiotics:  

Probiotics have a therapeutic effect on digestive concerns, however, not every yogurt contains enough bacteria to provide those benefits. The probiotic content depends on the amount and type of strain and should be around 1.0 x 10^9 CFU per serving. Look for this number of active cultures if you are hoping to see a noticeable digestive health improvement.    

Fat content:  

This particular factor applies to dairy-based yogurts only.    

A source of fat included in snacks or full meals helps to absorb fat-soluble vitamins. When it comes to yogurt a certain amount of fat will contribute to faster absorption of vitamins D and A.    

Another reason to choose yogurt with a high-fat percentage (at least five percent) is to stay full longer. Fat digests slower than protein which means you would not have to snack too often.       

Fat also adds flavour and creates a creamy texture which affects the taste making it more enjoyable.    

Flavour: 

Besides various fruit combinations and flavours such as chocolate, vanilla and others, yogurts come with two types of sweeteners: sugar and non-caloric sweeteners.  

Most yogurts on the market come sweetened with sugar. If you eat yogurt every day and do not want to add extra sugar to your diet, choose plain yogurt without any sweetener and mix in some fresh berries, fruits or honey.     

The alternative to sugar, Sucralose (Splenda) is still a controversial topic. Although it contains no calories, Splenda can impact hunger without providing enough satisfaction, which means increasing food cravings and disbalancing gut microflora.    

What makes yogurt considered healthy?

A properly prepared yogurt contains vitamins A, D and B, calcium, phosphorus, several minerals and live bacteria that have a positive effect on gut health. It is also a common belief that by consuming yogurt daily you can minimize the risk of obesity, irritable bowel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases.   

What is the healthiest type of yogurt?

Both traditional and Greek yogurts contain probiotics, yet the latter one has twice as much protein and less lactose. It could be suggested that Greek or Skyr yogurts are healthier than traditional, however, it depends on what you are looking for in yogurt. If you wish to increase your intake of probiotics, then look for yogurt with 1 billion CFU. Those who want to stay full longer and increase their protein intake, could switch to Greek yogurt with at least 8.5 grams of protein per serving.   

What is the healthiest brand of yogurt for gut health?

Yogurt, just like other fermented foods, is one of the healthiest choices for gut health, and with so many variations on the market, it is challenging to name just one brand or type. When shopping for yogurt with gut health in mind, look for such labels as “Lacidophilus” or “live active cultures”.