Yogurt is incredible for you -- it helps with digestion, it's a great source of calcium, protein, and unique nutrients called probiotics. In fact, it's what we'd consider a "Superfood!"

The problem, however, is that while some yogurt can be incredible for you, there's a lot of junk out there as well.

First, if it says "Fruit on the Bottom" leave it on the shelf.

If it has a cartoon on the package (and this goes for your kids, too), leave it on the shelf.

We recommend Stonyfield Farms Nonfat Plain or Nonfat Vanilla yogurts.

The flavor is better than others out there, it's less bitter, and the cows used for the milk are never subjected to different hormones. Calories and fat don't change from other nonfat plain yogurts, but we trust the quality.

Exhibit A
Fruit on the Bottom Yogurt 6 oz -- 140 calories, 25 g sugar
Cultured grade A lowfat milk, apples, sugar, fructose syrup, high fructose corn syrup, contains less than 1% of modified corn starch, pectin, cinnamon, nutmeg, natural flavor, malic acid, sodium citrate, kosher gelatin, calcium phosphate. Contains active yogurt cultures including L. acidophilus.

Exhibit B
Plain Nonfat Yogurt 6 oz -- 80 calories, 12 g sugar
Cultured pasteurized organic nonfat milk, pectin, vitamin D3. Contains our exclusive blend of six live active cultures including L. Acidophilus, Bifidus, L. Casei, and L. Rhamnosus.

Looking at these two, side by side, you see the second has more active cultures (while we usually say if you can't pronounce it, don't buy it -- these hard to pronounce ingredients are healthy for your gut, so eat up!).

Also notice the simple ingredients in the second, but the different sugars and other flavorings in the first.

And what about Activia brand yogurt? Is it any better than the other yogurts out there? Not necessarily. Activia has done a fantastic job of marketing the active cultures that are beneficial for your gut. However, other yogurts like Stonyfield also contain beneficial active cultures.

One thing to keep in mind, antiobiotics are regularly prescribed during winter months. If you are taking an antibiotic it is a good idea to consume yogurt that contains these beneficial cultures (probiotics) while you are on the medicine. That's because the antibiotic wipes out all bacteria in your body (good and bad). The yogurt helps to replace the good bacteria.

If you think plain yogurt tastes boring and bitter, blend your own FRESH or frozen fruit in there to give it a fruit flavor with MANY more nutrients than what would be in the fruit on the bottom variety. You would get the same calories by adding 1 serving of fruit to the plain variety than you would with the "Fruit on the Bottom" variety. You would also get many more nutrients that are wonderful for you!

Try yogurt for breakfast, as a snack, or simply as part of a meal -- mix it with cottage cheese, add some fruit, and/or add some raw nuts and you've got a heck of a meal!

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