Yogurt Made Specifically for Babies and Kids May Not Be As Healthy As You Think

Yogurt for Baby, Toddlers and Kids – Why baby & kid yogurts may not be the healthiest options

Tonight I was reminded of the Yogurt “controversy” and thought I’d add this page (page originally added 10-2006). I was cruising through a store the other day with the boys and they had a sampler with some Dannimals yogurt smoothies. The boys were clamouring for a taste so I said ok. They thought the smoothie was the best thing – no wonder.

I picked up the box and hoped to find that Dannon had changed their recipe – well duh, why would they add more milk instead of high fructose corn syrup? Why add more fruit when you can load the smoothie with gelatin? Why add a naturally milled sugar when you can add plain old corn syrup (Adding insult to the high fructose injury.)

As we were leaving my little boy says “We can’t buy it because it has that bad unhealthy high fruit-toes corny syrup right Mommy?” WooHoo, teaching by example works.

Please remember that there will be a natural level of sugar in ALL brands of yogurts. This is due to the fact that yogurt contains lactose. Lactose is the natural sugar that occurs in all dairy products.

Yogurt is often introduced to babies around 6-8 months old.  Make sure you try and buy a Plain Whole Milk Yogurt for your little one. Read our Yogurt and Babies page.

So here’s a list of we think of as the “non-kid friendly” yogurt products on the market today; the non-natural, non-additive free yogurts. The ingredients in the brands below were first compiled for this page in 2006.

Dannon Brand

Dannimals & Dannimals Smoothies –

Strawberry – Cultured grade A lowfat milk, sugar, high fructose corn syrup, strawberry puree, contains less than 1% of fructose, modified corn starch, carmine (for color), natural flavor, malic acid, potassium sorbate (to maintain freshness), vitamin D3. Contains active yogurt cultures.

Dannon has introduced an “All Natural” brand however the second ingredient (the ingredient that is the second highest in concentration) is sugar.  Yet another case where “All Natural” does not always healthy and wholesome.

Updated 2009 – Dannimals ingredients:

Cultured Low Fat Milk, Water, Sugar, Contains Less Than 1% Of – Calcium Citrate, Modified Corn Starch, Whey Protein Concentrate, Kosher Gelatin, Natural Flavor, Fruit Juice And Vegetable Juice (for color), Malic Acid, Potassium Sorbate (to maintain freshness), Sodium Citrate, Vitamin D3

Activa ****

Strawberry flavor – Cultured grade A reduced fat milk, strawberry, fructose syrup, sugar, modified corn starch, contains less than 1% of fructose, whey protein concentrate, kosher gelatin, natural flavor, carmine (for color), sodium citrate, malic acid.

**** We have been told that Activa is not good for children under 2 years old due to it’s “regularity” affect.  Thank you to Jenny for pointing this out to us.

Please note the following from the Activa/Dannon website:

Is Activia® suitable for children?

Yes, Activia® is suitable for the whole family, including children age three and older, who are looking to eat a healthy, balanced diet.

Please visit our Blog Post about information found on the Activia Website

updated June 2009

Yoplait Brand

GO-Gurt, Trix –  sugar, high fructose corn syrup, fructose, modified corn starch – Just the name Trix should get you to thinking about the not-so-healthy Trix cereals – yikes. The ingredients are not listed on their website so you’ll have to see it for yourself when next in the grocery store.

Colombo Brand

sugar, high fructose corn syrup, fructose, modified corn starch – Does not list the ingredients of any of their flavors on their website so you’ll have to see it for yourself when next in the grocery store.

BREYERS Brand

CULTURED PASTEURIZED GRADE A NONFAT MILK, WATER, PEACHES, FRUCTOSE, FOOD STARCH-MODIFIED, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, GELATIN, NATURAL FLAVOR, ASPARTAME, CITRIC ACID, ANNATTO (COLOR), GUAR GUM, POTASSIUM SORBATE TO PRESERVE FRESHNESS. PHENYLKETONURICS: CONTAINS PHENYLALANINE.