New Rules About Yogurt

(Published 2/25/04) Ever wonder why you can't find sugar-free yogurt at the grocery store? That's because it doesn't exist. Yogurt contains a natural, low-glycemic sugar called lactose. But if yogurt contains sugar, when is it OK to eat yogurt on The South Beach Diet™?

Thanks to recent research pertaining to calcium's role in weight loss, Dr. Agatston has updated the diet to include yogurt in every phase. Not all yogurts are created equal, so follow these Phase-by-Phase guidelines for yogurt consumption:

During Phase 1, limit yourself to fat-free plain yogurt. Avoid any sweetened yogurts, even those with artificial sweeteners, but feel free to flavor your yogurt as you would a ricotta crème.

During Phases 2 and 3, you may also introduce artificially sweetened, nonfat flavored yogurt. To identify yogurt that's been artificially sweetened, look for the words "light" or "lite" on the label. Limit to 4 ounces daily.