A study by nutrition professor Michael Zemel, PhD, showed that, when people introduced Yoplait Light yogurt into their weightloss regimens, they lost significantly more weight than did those who just cut calories. Dr. Zemel and colleagues randomly assigned 34 healthy but obese adults to 2 groups: the yogurt group, which consumed 1100 mg of calcium a day including 3 servings of Yoplait Light, and another group that consumed a low-calcium diet similar to a typical American diet.All participants followed a diet that consisted of 500 fewer calories per day than their usual intake. Researchers measured body weight and blood pressure weekly. The results showed that the yogurt group lost 22% more weight than the nonyogurt group. These findings translated to an average loss of 14 lb,66% more body fat, and 81% more stomach fat during the 12-week study. Dr. Zemel concluded, "Not only is it critical to keep your calcium levels high so you won't lose bone density, it will also help maintain your muscle mass and increase your fat loss." He recommends 3 servings of dairy per day?preferably of the low-fat or fat-free variety.
Ms. Farley is a freelance medical writer based in Wakefield, RI.