Is Lowfat Yogurt Gluten Free?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When determining if a processed food is safe for a gluten-free diet, we have to look beyond the obvious and investigate the additives. Here is the scientific breakdown of the ingredients found in this specific Lowfat Yogurt:

CULTURED PASTEURIZED LOW FAT MILK: This is the foundation of the product. Milk is naturally gluten-free. The culturing process uses live active cultures (probiotics) which do not contain gluten.

VANILLA FLAVORED BASE: This is usually the area of highest risk in flavored yogurts. However, the components here are safe. The Water and Sugar are pure. The MODIFIED CORN STARCH is derived from corn, not wheat. Natural Flavor and Citric Acid are also gluten-free processing aids.

THICKENERS AND STABILIZERS: Ingredients like Pectin (derived from fruit), Carrageenan (seaweed extract), and Tricalcium Phosphate (a calcium salt) are mineral-based and contain no gluten. These ensure the yogurt maintains its creamy texture without gluten fillers.

Nutritional Value

While this yogurt is safe from gluten, it is important to look at its nutritional profile. The inclusion of Sugar and the Vanilla Flavored Base adds sweetness, which increases the calorie count compared to plain yogurt. However, because it is lowfat, it keeps the saturated fat content minimal. This product fits well into a standard balanced diet, but if you are strictly managing sugar intake (such as for a diabetic diet), you might want to opt for a plain, unsweetened version of lowfat yogurt and add your own fresh fruit.