The yogurt forms an important part of the diet for anyone involved in the fitness world. And of course, like any supermarket, Mercadona has taken care to display diverse options to satisfy everyone’s tastes, becoming one of the most sought-after stores even to purchase something as simple as yogurt. Yet, this abundance of choices has ultimately raised doubts among people, who no longer know which is best or which they should buy if they want to continue looking after their bodies. In response, the dietitian and pharmacist, María Casas, has shared an analysis on her social networks of all these options, clarifying which ones you should buy and which not. Bringing forth some quite surprising ideas: neither protein yogurt, nor natural kefir, nor the classic Greek yogurt manage to enter her ranking.
1. Protein yogurts: «It’s a dairy dessert, not a yogurt»
Although marketed as the gym’s perfect ally, María Casas is clear: “It uses more protein as a marketing hook, but you really don’t need as much protein as we’ve been led to believe, and that’s why it doesn’t make the podium.” For the expert, this type of products, even if 0% fat, contain sweeteners and isolated fructose, which means they fit more into the “dessert” category than into a healthy yogurt.
2. The original Greek yogurt
Although it is the favorite of many due to its classic appeal and the great creaminess it offers, the truth is that it is not among the best options for goals such as fat loss. The reason is that “even though it has no added sugars, it contains a lot of saturated fat and is very calorie-dense.” In addition, Casas debunks the myth that this fat is harmless just because it comes from milk, warning that its consumption worsens the lipid profile and is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
3. The natural kefir
Kefir has gained almost miraculous fame in recent years, but science cannot yet guarantee as many benefits in people as claimed. “The reality is that the human evidence is still very limited,” explains the pharmacist. While she concedes that it may have benefits for the microbiota, Mercadona’s natural kefir falls off the podium for containing whole milk and cream.
The worst yogurts from Mercadona
Before unveiling the winners, María Casas issues a warning about the supermarket’s lowest category, where she places the sugary yogurts with chunks, drinkable ones, and those with chopped fruit. Although they may seem harmless, especially the fruit ones, the dietitian cautions that “they are loaded with sugars and have poor nutritional quality,” so her professional recommendation is clear: if you’re aiming for a healthy diet, you should reduce them to a minimum.
The 3 best according to science
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James Whitaker
I’m James Whitaker, a UK-based journalist focused on emerging trends and everyday stories gaining attention across the country. I cover the topics people start talking about before they fully break into the mainstream. My work aims to stay clear, factual, and closely connected to how news is actually consumed today.