When it comes to the ultimate summer breakfast, there’s nothing quite like a refreshing bowl of yoghurt topped with juicy berries and crunchy granola. But according to a new study, the type of yoghurt you opt for could make a big difference to the nutritional profile of your meal.

The research, published in the journal Frontiers In Nutrition, compared 612 dairy and plant-based yoghurts to find out which is the healthiest and nutrient-dense – and the results were surprising.

While you might expect Greek yoghurt to come out on top due to its high-protein content, that wasn’t the case. The researchers used the Nutrient Rich Foods (NRF) index to rank each type of yoghurt, which allowed them to compare the “nutritional density” of the yoghurts based on both nutrients to encourage (protein, fibre, calcium, potassium, vitamin D) and nutrients that should be limited (saturated fat, total sugar, sodium). 

After using this index to measure the nutrient profile of all the yoghurts in the study, the researchers found that almond milk yoghurt scored the highest, followed by oat and low or non-fat dairy. Full-fat dairy, cashew and coconut came in fourth, fifth and sixth place respectively.

It’s worth noting that the plant-based yoghurts – including almond – still included less protein, calcium and potassium than dairy yoghurts. However, the lower levels of sugar and sodium and higher levels of fibre meant both almond and oat came in above the first dairy option.

In fact, the study’s authors said that almond yoghurt scored “significantly higher” than all other forms of yoghurt on the NRF, indicating a high nutrient density.  

They also suggested that, in the future, manufacturers may consider fortifying plant-based yoghurts with nutrients like protein and calcium so they possess the benefits of dairy, too.

While plant-based milks may remain the most popular dairy alternatives on the market, this study is a reminder that plant-based substitutions don’t just help the planet – they can boost our health, too. 

Images: Getty