Yoghurt has been part of the human diet for thousands of years, and it remains one of the most nutrient-dense and versatile dairy foods available today.

As a fermented dairy food, it delivers essential nutrients while fitting easily into everyday eating. Yet yoghurt – particularly flavoured varieties – are often misunderstood.

Why yoghurt matters

Yoghurt is recognised in food-based dietary guidelines around the world for its role in supporting:

• bone health
• gut health
• heart health
• healthy weight management
• overall diet quality

As a dairy food, yoghurt provides high-quality protein, calcium and a range of essential vitamins and minerals, delivered in a whole-food matrix that enhances absorption and health benefits.

Plain and flavoured yoghurt: the facts

 There’s a common perception that flavoured yoghurt is less healthy, but the evidence doesn’t support this. Studies show no difference in health outcomes between plain and flavoured yoghurt. In fact:

• yoghurt contributes just 1.8 per cent of free sugars in the average Australian diet
• discretionary foods contribute 81 per cent
• plain and flavoured yoghurt are part of the Five Food Groups

For children, adolescents and older Australians, flavoured yoghurt can improve palatability and help people meet important calcium and protein needs.

But here’s the catch…

Only 16 per cent of Australians consume yoghurt on any given day. Increasing yoghurt intake is a simple way to help close Australia’s dairy and calcium gap. Adding yoghurt doesn’t need to be complicated:

• at breakfast
• as a snack
• with meals

Healthy. Delicious. Evidence-based.

More from ADPF: AddDairy

More on the evidence: Dairy Australia