If you think you can lose weight by consuming lots of low-fat yoghurt instead of eating proper meals, you should read the findings on the brands tested by Mahidol University's Institute of Nutrition. What you hear from the manufacturers is not always accurate, says Chalart Sue or Smart Buy magazine.

The tests on 100cc samples of plain yoghurt from seven brands - Richesse, Betagen, Meiji, Dutchie, Dutchie Bio (low-fat), Dutchie (fat-free) and Formost (low-fat) - were carried out last month for Smart Buy, which is run by the Foundation for Consumers.

Despite the high calcium levels boasted by some brands, results showed that every label features more or less the same amount. But Richesse features only 2.6 grams of protein, while others contain more than three grams.

Eating too much sugar in yoghurt is bad news for those on a strict diet. Fat-free Dutchie claims to contain only nine grams in its 150cc cup, but the test found 11.1g in the 100cc sample. Meiji's label, meanwhile, says it has four grams per 150cc cup, but 7g was found

Fat-free Dutchie claims to contain only nine grams in its 150cc cup, but the test found 11.1g in the 100cc sample in the sample. Others contained about the same amount of sugar claimed on the labels, though some exceeded the figure slightly.

Another worrying finding was the levels of E Coli bacteria found in samples, most equalling or exceeding the three grams health regulations allow.

Each 125- to 150g tub of yoghurt you eat contains between 80 and 150 calories. If you really are watching your weight, the brands that claim in advertisements to be fat-free, low-sugar, low-cholesterol or even high-calcium won't help. A balanced diet of proper meals, however, will.

By Fat Free

daily Xpress

DID YOU KNOW THIS?

>> Natural unflavoured yoghurt offers more nutrition.

>> Natural unflavoured milk is cheaper and offers more calcium and protein.

>> Fat-free or low-sugar yoghurt still contains calories.

>> Try to buy freshly manufactured yoghurts. The fresher the yoghurt, the more digestion-aiding lactic acid bacteria is contained in the cup.

>> So-called 'drinking yoghurt' isn't recommended by most nutritionists, especially for children. It's made of fat-free milk and flavoured with food additives, which offer less protein and excess sugar.

>> For more detailed information, visit www.ConsumerThai.org.