Enter my current concern over yogurt. Ales is not taking to milk very well and it's not a taste thing, it's a texture thing. So, as we are getting her accustomed to this "new" item in her diet I have used yogurt to supplement and make sure that she is getting enough nutrients. Last week I allowed Caleb and Ales to pick out a flavored yogurt (I normally buy plain whole milk yogurt in a big tub from Stoneyfield Farms). I was proud of their choices as they both went for fruit yogurts and not the dessert flavors and they picked out organic, which I'm sure was because of the cow on the front!
Feeling pretty good about myself and the kids choices I went home and the kids enjoyed the yogurt. I then took a look at the back of the container and almost choked! The second ingredient was sugar (first ingredient being milk) - that means there was more sugar than fruit in the cup of yogurt!!! Then I saw that there was 27g of sugars in the yogurt - a snickers bar has 29g (www.nutritiondata.self.com).! (I understand both milk and fruit have natural sugar in them, but after I researched other yogurts this week I feel this is still pretty high.)
What to do? I don't mind sugar - but I want there to be balance. So, I set out this morning to make my own fruit on the bottom yogurt. I blended 2 cups of raspberries, 2 bananas, and 11oz of coconut water with a tablespoons of maple syrup to make my own fruit concoction. The bananas were not fully ripe so if they were I doubt I would have needed the maple syrup to take the edge of the tart berries. I added a bit to some plain whole milk yogurt and the kids thought it was great! The best part is there is still plenty for other yogurts and for on top of peanut butter pancakes tomorrow!
This just happened to work, but I'm sure it could have gone the other way. I was lucky, and while there is still sugar in my "bottom fruit," I took comfort that fruit was the main event.
I bought the 'cow' yogurt and Dylan compared it to the 1/2 the cost sugar yogurt and it was about the same. ugh. I think I am making a good decision, and I am not. I tried plain yogurt and added agave nectar with strawberries. It's yummy, but does take a bit of time to prepare compared to a pre-made cup I can grab.
ReplyDeleteThat is the big drawback to this - I have to be ahead of the game (which is not always my strength!). I tend to love honey in my yogurt with some granola and berries or bananas. (I use jelly jars and put the yogurt/honey in the night before and then measure out the granola to go with it in a baggie for when I eat it.
ReplyDeleteIt seemed like Greek yogurt with fruit was much better on sugar content (under 20g for many brands) than regular. I'm not sure if that is due to the greek yogurt, or if there is some other way fruit is added to it. I know Chobani doesn't use milk from hormone treated cows and their yogurt is often on sale, so it might be an option for your schedule :). I'm glad you responded - it's nice to know that I'm not the only one checking the back of packages!