How to choose yogurt and check its starch content: tips from an expert

Who doesn't love a delicious yogurt snack or a glass before bed? Fruit, berry, with and without sugar, and all are equally healthy. But is this the case and are all yogurts as good as they say on the label – it's worth looking into and dispelling the myths.

Nutritionist Bohdana Tarasiuk shared the basic rules to follow when choosing yogurt. Published on Instagram.

• Expiration date

What can you do without it? Ideally, it should be from 5-7 to 10 days.

• Live and active cultures

Look for this label on the package. And if it is not, then there is nothing to say about the benefits.

• Sugar content

Natural/classic yogurt should not contain sugar. The same cannot be said about yogurts with fillers – sugar is in the first place. If you want to add a little sweet flavor, you can diversify the product with fruits or berries.

• Calorie content

Natural healthy yogurt has no more than 70 kcal per 100 g. If you come across a pseudo-natural yogurt with higher calorie content, take a good look and look for more "fertilizers" and "fillers".

The expert also notes that almost all yogurts contain starch, and if you are too picky about this, her advice is to avoid such products. Although manufacturers often do not mention starch because of its small amount, its presence is easy to check. Add a few drops of iodine – if the yogurt contains starch, the product will change color to blue or green. Starch can also be labeled E1422. However, there is nothing wrong with starch – it makes the consistency more pleasant.

If you see agar-agar in the composition, don't worry, it does not affect the naturalness. The same goes for pectin and carrageenan.

Glucose, dextrose, maltodextrin, and the like are simple sugars.