It’s thick, sweet, creamy, and completely indulgent, but it’s yogurt so it has to be healthy, right?! In this dietitian Noosa Yogurt review, we’re diving into the nutrition, ingredients, and of course a good ol’ taste test to find out if Noosa yogurt is healthy.
Yogurt can be one of the healthiest foods you can eat, with the protein, calcium, vitamin D, and probiotics you find inside. But can a yogurt that tastes like an indulgent dessert be good for you? Noosa Yogurt has a raving fan base, and for good reason. If you’ve ever tried the Aussie-style yogurt, you know how creamy, sweet, and honestly delicious it is.
Some foods just have a healthy feeling about them. If it’s yogurt, and it has probiotics, and it has protein, then what’s the problem?! One thing I love about Noosa is that it doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not.
Quoted straight from the website (except turned right side up, because the entire homepage is upside down): “In a world filled with 2% this and 0 sugar that, we’re proud to do things full on.”
Our review of Noosa includes a nutrition fact and ingredient breakdown, the results of my taste test, and my overall opinion as a registered dietitian on this tasty yogurt treat.
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Nutrition facts
The nutrition breakdown of Noosa yogurt depends on the flavor and size you choose. They offer 8-ounce and 4.5-ounce containers, so you can choose whichever portion size you prefer.
Here are the nutrition facts for two popular flavors:
Lemon Noosa (4.5 ounces):
- Calories: 180
- Total Fat: 8 grams
- Saturated Fat: 5 grams
- Carbohydrates: 22 grams
- Added Sugar: 14 grams
- Protein: 6 grams
- Calcium: 15% DV
- Vitamin D: 0% DV
Vanilla Bean (4.5-ounces):
- Calories: 160
- Total Fat: 7 grams
- Saturated Fat: 4 grams
- Carbohydrates: 18 grams
- Added Sugar: 11 grams
- Protein: 7 grams
- Calcium: 20% DV
- Vitamin D: 0% DV
Here are some obvious PROS to Noosa’s nutrition:
- Each serving has 6 grams of protein to help you feel full and aid in muscle recovery.
- It has between 15 and 20% of the daily value of calcium, or around 200 mg of calcium, a mineral many adults do not get enough of.
- A calorie range of 160-180 calories (approximate as it changes for each flavor) is a good amount of energy for a snack or to add to a breakfast that includes other high protein and fiber-rich foods.
- No artificial sweeteners, flavors, or colors are added to this yogurt.
- It's certified gluten-free, making it safe for anyone with celiac disease.
And a few glaring CONS:
- We can’t ignore the added sugar in this yogurt. Each 4.5-ounce serving has around 22 to 28 percent of the recommended daily limit for added sugars, with some flavors having more or less.
- Yes, Noosa does have some protein, but it’s quite low compared to varieties like Greek or Skyr, which can have more than twice the amount of protein per serving.
- While not every yogurt brand is fortified with vitamin D, many have between 5 and 15 percent of the DV added, as vitamin D is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in the US. Noosa has 0%.
- The status of whether saturated fat is good or bad for you seems to be up in the air, but years of research have shown that eating too much saturated fat can be a risk factor for heart disease. Using full-fat milk, Noosa is rich and creamy but also contains around 25% of the recommended daily limit of saturated fat in each serving. If you eat other foods high in saturated fat, it may not be the best choice for you.
Ingredient breakdown
Grade A Pasteurized Whole Milk
The number one ingredient in Noosa yogurt is Grade A Whole Milk. Whole milk has none of the fat removed, making it richer, creamier, and of course, higher in fat and calories.
Grade A means the processing, facility, and products are regularly evaluated to ensure that sanitary and approved production methods are followed. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) monitors milk production and stamps milk suitable for drinking with a Grade A seal, while Grade B milk has less strict requirements and may be used for foods that require further processing, like butter, cheese, and other products. You’ll see every carton or container of milk at the grocery store with a Grade A stamp.
Fruit Purée
All Noosa yogurts include real fruit to add unique and delicious flavor––no artificial flavors here. In addition to the fresh fruit or botanical flavors, whether it be lemon juice concentrate raspberries, strawberries, vanilla bean, or coconut cream, you’ll find a number of other ingredients, including:
- Cane sugar: extra sweetness!
- Butter: enhances the flavor and texture.
- Tapioca starch: to help thicken the puree.
- Pectin: a soluble fiber from plants that helps with thickening.
- Natural flavors: flavors derived from any botanical source, such as leaves, fruit, herbs, seeds, roots, etc., or animals.
- Locust bean gum: to help thicken and stabilize the puree.
- Lactic acid: naturally found in fermented foods, but also added to processed foods as a natural preservative.
- Vegetable juice: added as a coloring agent
Cane Sugar
Cane sugar has 4 calories per gram and is 100% sucrose– AKA table sugar. By itself, yogurt has a strong, tangy flavor. Cane sugar adds sweetness, creating the luscious, indulgent flavor you know.
Wildflower Honey
The wildflower honey used in Noosa yogurt is not pasteurized, so be cautious when feeding this yogurt to infants under one year of age. Unpasteurized honey could be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum spores in amounts that are completely safe for toddlers, kids, and adults but could cause infant botulism in babies under 12 months. Along with cane sugar, this contributes to the added sugars in Noosa.
Kosher Gelatin
The incredibly creamy texture you get with every bite? While the whole milk has something to do with it, the gelatin helps make every bite as smooth as the last. Unfortunately, because the gelatin Noosa uses comes from cows, vegetarians may want to avoid Noosa.
Pectin
Pectin is a soluble fiber in many fruits and vegetables and is often added to yogurt, including Noosa. Pectin can help add texture, stabilize the ingredients so you don’t end up with a thick pool of liquid at the top of your yogurt, aid the fermentation of bacteria in the yogurt, and act as a natural preservative.
Live Active Cultures
Bacteria are added to milk so it ferments to create the thick texture and tangy flavor that makes milk yogurt. As an added bonus, it helps populate your gut with beneficial bacteria. The exact cultures used are listed on the side of the container, including S. Thermophilus, L. Bulgaricus, L. Acidophilus, Bifidus, and L. Casei.
Is Noosa yogurt healthy?
As a dietitian, the thing I say most (and I’m sure it frustrates people the most, too) is that it really depends.
Looking at the product as a whole, Noosa yogurt is not a particularly healthy yogurt. I say that with confidence (but with plenty of nuance, as seen below), as it has more sugar and less protein than many other popular yogurt brands you can buy. You can find healthier yogurt at the grocery store that still tastes good.
BUT-–and it’s a big but—that doesn’t mean you should never eat Noosa. Even though it’s high in sugar, it can still fit into a diet that’s overall low in added sugars. Even though it’s lower in protein, it can still be included in a meal or a snack with another protein source. By paying attention to the other foods you eat, Noosa can fit into an overall healthy diet, even if the yogurt itself is not the healthiest.
Also, keep in mind that “healthy” is subjective. What’s healthy for me might not be healthiest for you, depending on your overall lifestyle, health history, culture, background, etc.
How does Noosa yogurt taste?
It's like a dream. Really. I have my favorite yogurt brands, which combine excellent nutrition, creamy texture, and subtly sweet flavor, but I had to try Noosa to bring you the best review possible.
The yogurt is creamy, luscious, and thick– exactly what I like to see in yogurt. Plus the flavors I’ve tried—vanilla bean and lemon— are sweet and very authentic. The Noosa lemon yoghurt was a good combo of tart, tangy and sweet, while the vanilla bean tastes rich and full with plenty of vanilla bean specks in every bite. It has a lot of sweetness and a subtle tang that just lets you know you’re eating yogurt, not ice cream.
Flavor list
You can find various flavors in single-serve tubs (8 or 4.5 ounces) or multi-serve tubs. Currently, these are the flavors available from Noosa:
- Blueberry
- Strawberry
- Peach
- Salted Caramel
- Lemon
- Vanilla bean
- Strawberry rhubarb
- Pumpkin
- Orange
- Honey
- Tart cherry
- Mango
- Pomegranate
- Blackberry
- Coconut
- Mixed berry
- Blended strawberry
- Blended mixed berry
- Blended raspberry
- Blended key lime
You can also find Noosa Delights, which are yogurt cups with a layer of custard at the bottom:
- Key lime pie
- Coconut cream pie
- Brownie batter
- Strawberry cheesecake
FAQS
What’s so special about Noosa yogurt?
It’s made with whole milk, and you won’t find any “light” or “lower sugar” varieties. They use real fruit, real sugar, and avoid artificial flavors, sweeteners, preservatives, and colors.
What’s the difference between Noosa and Greek yogurt?
What’s the healthiest yogurt to eat?
The bottom line
Noosa Yogurt is a whole milk yogurt flavored with real fruit puree, plenty of real sugar, and wildflower honey. While the flavor is decadent and the texture is absolutely delicious, Noosa yogurt is not a healthy yogurt for most of us. While eating it every day may not be the healthiest choice, it’s an incredibly satisfying sweet treat or addition to an otherwise lower sugar, high protein meal or diet.
Bec says
You forgot that Noosa also comes "perfectly plain." Zero sugar added. Still high in fat though, but safe to eat in moderation.
Theresa says
I think you need to update your information. An 8 oz serving of Noosa contains 25-28% RDA protein ~= 25-30 grams. Thats what the packages list, I need 100 grams of protein a day, the sugar and cholesterol are not as healthy but the other high protein yogurts don’t contain pre and probiotics, they have way more bad crap and this is like a dessert, so creamy and decadent with real ingredients. I’ve done my research.
Kelsey Kunik, RDN says
Thanks for the comment. The nutrition info I provided for the 4.5 ounce single serving containers are up to date. If you're eating the entire 8-ounce container (because Noosa is sold in two different sizes: a 8 ounce tub that includes 2 servings and 4.5 ounce single serving packs) as a single serving, then you're correct, then you'll be getting around 11-14 grams of protein depending on the flavor (as the protein amount does vary). Happy you've found what works for you!
C.L . Jones says
I am 81 years old, so with my weak hands, I fight getting the lids off. I use a tablespoon and sometimes get frustrated and till you come out with an easy open lid I'll stay with another brand.
Other than that your is the best flavored of all.
X Jen says
Plastic lid requires lifting one edge then circling around with your fingertip while pulling up, slowly creating more free space. At some point you can add another finger to go the other direction as well, and slide the lid off the back. Takes some patience.
For the foil, grasp the top edge of the container at opposite sides halfway across from the tab. Tab may require rocking motion, peeling from one side then the other until you're at the halfway point. Then it's a straight pull. Might use pliers to grab the tab if grip is elusive.
Word of warning - lick lid from center out, making sure no part of the edge is folded in. Treat the edge of the lid as you would a knife edge to avoid adding blood to the ingredients.
RC says
I was trying to find out what a healthy yogurt is for someone who is elderly in their 80s that may have lower cholesterol I didn't really see any information about cholesterol here. Can you address that issue please? As I'm sure you know a heart issues are with the elderly. Thank you.
Kelsey Kunik, RDN says
When it comes to managing blood cholesterol, choosing foods that are lower in saturated fat is a good strategy (along with eating foods high in fiber!).
june smallwood says
I love Noosa Yogurt. however, the plastic packaging is very disappointing!
It's hard to open & WAY too much plastic too justify. Please consider another type of earth-friendly packaging.
Kelsey Kunik, RDN says
I feel this way about a LOT of my favorite foods, too!
Lisa Speir says
What yoguart do you recommend to lose weight?
Kelsey Kunik, RDN says
That's really dependent on the person and what the rest of someone's diet and lifestyle look like. That said, I'm a big fan of Oikos Triple zero since it's low in sugar, fat, and calories, but high in protein. That leaves a lot of room to add other nutrient dense foods like fruit, nuts/seeds/nut butter, for a variety of foods that help you feel full and satisfied. That's what I often use in my Greek yogurt parfaits!