Are Yasso Bars Healthy (Nutrition Pros and Cons)?
In this blog post, I’ll review the question of whether Yasso Bars are healthy or not. Find out this product’s nutrition pros and cons, plus read about some better options you may want to consider.
Yasso Bar Facts
Yasso was founded in Boston in 2009 by Amanda Klane and Drew Harrington. The company markets its products as convenient frozen snacks that are low-calorie yet deliver great taste and nutrition at snack time.
Along with a line of Greek Yogurt Bars, Yasso also manufactures Greek Yogurt Chocolate Crunch Bars, Greek Yogurt Sandwiches, Greek Yogurt Poppables, and Greek Yogurt Mochi. The company’s competitors include Halo Top and Ben & Jerry’s regular ice cream.
You can order boxes of specific products or a variety pack or build your own pack of Yasso products.
The Yasso Frozen Greek Yogurt Bars are available in several flavors and are made with ingredients like non-fat milk, sugar, Greek yogurt, wheat flour, natural flavors, guar gum, and locust bean gum. The various flavor variations contain 4-5 grams of protein each and are 80 to 100 calories per bar.
Although the bars contain non-GMO ingredients, they are not entirely GMO-free. Most Yasso bars are not suitable for vegans or people with dairy, soy, wheat, or nut allergies. They do have some gluten-free bar options.
The bars are available in various flavors, including:
- Birthday Cake
- Black Raspberry Chip
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
- Chocolate Fudge
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip
- Coffee Chocolate Chip
- Cookies ‘N Cream
- Fudge Brownies
- Mint Chocolate Chip
- Pistachio Brittle
- Sea Salt Caramel
Yasso Bar Ingredients
As an example, the full list of ingredients included in the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough flavor of Yasso Bars include: Nonfat Milk, Greek Yogurt (Nonfat Milk, Milk Protein Concentrate, Cultures), Sugar, Cookie Dough (Wheat Flour*, Sugar*, Butter [Cream, Salt], Water, Molasses*, Corn Starch*, Salt*, Natural Flavor*, Sodium Bicarbonate*), Milk Protein Concentrate, Chocolate Flavored Flake (Powdered Sugar [Sugar*, Cornstarch*], Coconut Oil*, Cocoa Processed with Alkali*, Cocoa*, Soy Lecithin*, Natural Flavor*), Maltodextrin*, Cream, Natural Flavor*, Guar Gum*, Locust Bean Gum*.
*Non-GMO– from non-GMO sources or no GMO source exists.
Let’s look at some of the main ingredients in Yasso Greek Yogurt Bars and how these ingredients may affect your health.
Non-Fat Milk
Non-fat milk, also known as fat-free and skim milk, is processed to remove the fat and some natural sugars. The result is a milk ingredient with a higher protein content, less lactose, and practically no fat, altering the product’s nutritional value.
Since skim milk has had the fat and lactose removed, it is less flavorful than other forms of milk, and sugar is sometimes added to give it flavor, making it unsuitable for people with diabetes.
People who are lactose intolerant or have allergies or sensitivities to dairy should avoid consuming products made with non-fat or skim milk.
Milk Protein Concentrate (MPC)
Milk protein concentrate is a high-protein dairy product that contains lactose. Lactose can cause digestive issues in lactose-intolerant people or those with allergic reactions or sensitivities to dairy products.
It is worth mentioning that unless the manufacturer specifies that the dairy products used are certified organic, hormone-free, and come from grass-fed cows, they may contain hormones, pesticides, and chemicals that can adversely affect a person’s health.
Natural Flavors
With so much conflicting information, knowing what the term “natural flavors” truly means when reading food labels is difficult. The term is often used in the food industry but has no real definition. Food manufacturers can use it to describe any ingredient, additive, or food product.
Some “natural flavors” are heavily processed using artificial means such as solvents and high heat to extract the flavor enzymes. Unless clearly stated on a company website or product label, it is difficult to know if a food manufacturer uses these processes or if the natural flavors used in their products are healthy or have any nutritional value.
Guar Gum
Guar gum, or guaran, is extracted from guar beans and used in food production as a thickening agent. Guar gum contains fiber that can help improve your digestion, lower blood sugar levels, and reduce cholesterol.
Some people may have sensitivities or allergies to guar gum and experience digestive health issues such as gas, cramping, and bloating. Additionally, research has shown that this additive adversely impacts the gut microbiota and may cause colonic inflammation.
Locust Bean Gum
Locust bean gum is a processed plant-based and natural food thickener that many food manufacturers use in food production.
It is vegan-friendly but may not be a healthy ingredient because processing the gum may involve unhealthy mechanical and chemical treatments.
Although it is mostly safe, some people suffer severe allergic reactions after consuming locust bean gum, including asthma or difficulty breathing. People with this allergy should avoid eating products that contain locust bean gum.
Soy Lecithin
Yasso Greek yogurt bars contain soy lecithin. The product labels state that the soy lecithin is non-GMO.
Although this soy lecithin is not GMO, it is a highly processed soy oil product and not considered a healthy ingredient, in my opinion.
With all of the processing that soy lecithin undergoes, it barely resembles soy anymore and hardly contains any of its beneficial protein. The processing may also involve using solvents like hexane to extract it.
Palm Oil And Palm Kernel Oil
Some Yasso Greek Yogurt Bars flavors contain palm oil or palm kernel oil. Palm oil is made from the fruit of the African oil palm, and palm kernel oil is made from the fruit’s seed.
Seed oils can cause chronic inflammation in the body, leading to health problems like obesity and Alzheimer’s disease. Most seed oils are highly processed and hydrogenated to extend their shelf life and the product’s. Hydrogenation can increase trans fats and raise LDL, or “bad” cholesterol.
The company site states that the palm oil used in their products is sustainably and responsibly sourced. Without knowing the sources, it is up to the buyer to make an informed decision before purchasing the products.
According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), palm oil harvesting leads to the deforestation of the world’s most biodiverse forests. In the process, the habitats of several endangered species, such as the Orangutan, pygmy elephant, and Sumatran rhino, are at greater risk. Deforestation also contributes to increased greenhouse gases and has been linked to unethical practices like child labor and worker exploitation.
Other Ingredients
Other ingredients included depending on the flavor of the bar include chocolate chips, chocolate flake, cornstarch, and maltodextrin.
Yasso Bar Nutrition Pros
Yasso Greek Yogurt Bars are made without artificial flavors or artificial sweeteners and have some gluten-free flavor options. They do not include high fructose corn syrup or sugar alcohols and do have some natural ingredients.
These products are designed to provide a low-calorie snack and contain between 4g to 5g of protein per bar. They are likely a healthier ice cream with fewer calories than many other processed ice cream treats or frozen dessert.
Yasso Bar Nutrition Cons
Although many of the ingredients in Yasso Greek Yogurt Bars are non-GMO, they are not 100% GMO-free and can contain between 8-12 grams of added sugar.
The bars contain highly processed ingredients such as nonfat milk, locust bean gum, guar gum, palm kernel oil, palm oil, and soy lecithin.
People who are sensitive to these ingredients may experience health issues. It is important to note that Yasso Greek Yogurt Bars contain milk and milk products, tree nuts, soy, and wheat. People on plant-based diets or people with allergies or sensitivities to these ingredients may experience severe allergic reactions and should avoid consuming these bars.
Lastly, there are lots of healthier options for sweet treats that are made using real food ingredients. See my complete list of healthy snacks. Or, try one of my very easy homemade healthy ice cream recipes to satisfy your sweet tooth and stick to your weight loss goals.
FAQs
No, they are not vegan. Yasso Greek Yogurt Bars contain dairy and are unsuitable for vegans, people who are lactose intolerant, or those with sensitivities or allergies to dairy.
Yes, Yasso Greek Yogurt Bars contain probiotic microorganisms such as Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Paracasei, Streptococcus Thermophilus, and Lactobacillus Bulgaricus.
Yasso Greek Yogurt Bars may be a slightly healthier option than some commercial ice cream bars because they are made with Greek yogurt. This helps give a creamy texture with a lower sugar content. However, Yasso Greek Yogurt Bars are made with highly processed ingredients and are not suitable for people with diabetes, vegans, or people with allergies to dairy, nuts, soy, or wheat.
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Conclusions
Yasso Greek Yogurt Bars are high in protein and low in calories but are not the best snack for health-conscious people. They contain highly processed ingredients, are high in sugar, and contain known allergens. Making a healthy snack bar with real food ingredients at home is always best. Try this delicious avocado ice cream recipe for a healthier option!
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Note: this post is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for recommendations related to your individual situation.
