“Chobani Expands in High Protein Greek Yogurt Category with New Line of 20G Protein Yogurt,” announced the yogurt giant in early October. Do you need extra protein in your yogurt? Maybe not. Even so, the new line of low-fat Greek yogurt from Chobani has some pluses for healthy eaters. Here’s how it stacks up against its high-protein competitors.

This article comes from Nutrition Action. We don't accept any paid advertising or corporate or government donations. Any products we recommend have been vetted by our staff and are not advertisements by the manufacturers. They’re just healthy foods we think you’d like to know about!

What’s in Chobani Protein Yogurt

Each single-serve tub of Chobani Protein has 0 grams of added sugar and 20 grams of protein, about 8 to 10 grams more than the usual 10 to 12 grams in a low-fat, sugar-sweetened Chobani Greek Yogurt.

Even more impressive: That extra protein comes with about the same calories (140) as the company’s regular low-fat Greek yogurt varieties (130 to 140). How did Chobani squeeze in more protein? It increased the size of the tub (from 5.3 oz. to 6.7 oz.) and replaced the 9 to 15 grams of added sugar with calorie-free stevia extract.

Another plus: If you’re lactose intolerant, don’t worry. Unlike most yogurts, Chobani Protein contains added lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose (milk sugar). But even if you’re lactose intolerant, you may be able to handle regular yogurt. Unlike the lactose in milk, ice cream, or soft cheeses, yogurt’s lactose comes with a dose of live and active yogurt cultures that can help digest it for you.

Learn more: Can you become more tolerant of lactose?

Chobani Protein vs. other high-protein yogurts

The simplest way to get more protein from your yogurt is to switch from regular (non-Greek) yogurt (with about 5 or 6 grams of protein) to a thick, strained version like Greek yogurt or Icelandic “skyr.” That doubles the protein.

Trading in that Greek or Icelandic yogurt for a high-protein version like Chobani Protein or Oikos Pro adds another 5 to 10 grams of protein per serving. Here’s how brands of high-protein yogurts compare:

High-protein yogurt Nutrition Facts

• Chobani Protein (6.7 oz.) – 140 calories, 20 g protein, 0 g added sugar
• Oikos Pro (5.3 oz.) – 140 calories, 20 g protein, 0 g added sugar
• Yoplait Protein (5.6 oz.) – 100 calories, 15 g protein, 0 g added sugar
• Ratio Protein (5.3 oz.) – 170 calories, 25 g protein, 0 g added sugar

All four brands have about the same protein for their calories (roughly 15 grams of protein per 100 calories). One key difference: The Chobani and Oikos are sweetened with stevia extract, a low-calorie sweetener that we rate as “safe” on Chemical Cuisine, our guide to food additive safety. But the Yoplait and Ratio get their sweetness from sucralose, which we rate as “avoid” because it causes cancer in lab animals. (Some studies in humans also suggest that sucralose may raise blood sugar by altering the gut microbiome.)

Learn more: See all our food additive ratings on Chemical Cuisine

How do Chobani Protein and Oikos Pro taste?

Our taste testers liked both. Chobani’s high-protein yogurt tastes like, well, Greek yogurt. Oikos Pro—it’s made from ultra-filtered milk and whey protein—has a creamier, almost pudding-like texture and less tang. Yum! Our advice: Taste around and take your pick.

Do you need extra protein?

It’s worth noting that most of us already get enough protein. And only strength training, not extra protein alone, can build muscle. But if your yogurt is, say, the main event at breakfast or lunch, 20 grams of protein is a good deal. (The Daily Value for adults is 50 grams.)

If you’re looking for a flavored Greek or Icelandic yogurt with little or no added sugar—and 12 to 16 grams of protein is enough for you—these lines are also good bets:

• Oikos Triple Zero (15 g protein per 5.3 oz.)
• Siggi’s fat free or lowfat Skyr (15-16 g)
• Any brand’s nonfat or lowfat plain Greek yogurt – add fresh or frozen fruit and, if you like, a teaspoon of honey or sugar (14-16 g)
• Too Good (12-13 g)
• Chobani Less Sugar (12 g)

We paid $1.99 per serving for Oikos Pro and Chobani Protein, so it doesn’t hurt to play the field and go for what’s on sale.

The bottom line on high-protein yogurts

If you want a no-sugar-added yogurt with extra protein, Chobani Protein and Oikos Pro are both good choices because they’re low-fat dairy and sweetened with safe stevia extract. If you need to avoid all lactose, go with Chobani Protein.

Learn more: Click here for all the dairy and plant-based yogurts we recommend