Drinkable yogurts are very popular among young children. These products come in small bottles, tubes, and pouches that make them convenient for snacks and meals away-from-home. The convenience, however, does come at a cost. Keep reading to learn more.
- Most drinkable yogurt products marketed for children have added sugar and flavorings. Foods and drinks with added sugar can contribute to tooth decay and unhealthy weight gain.
- The cost per oz of a drinkable yogurt product can be two-to-three times more than the cost per oz of other yogurts.
- Some drinkable yogurt products are sold in containers that cannot be recycled – adding to the growing volume of solid waste in our communities.
For a healthy alternative, you can make your own at home in little time and a few inexpensive ingredients. See our suggestion below for children one year and older.
Bottom line? Ready-to-serve drinkable yogurt products do provide nutrients important for kids’ growth and development. They can be part of a healthy diet as an occasional choice when convenience is a priority.
Creamy Yogurt Blend
Cost per serving: $0.36
Makes: 3 servings
Ingredients:
- ½ cup non-fat plain (unflavored) Greek yogurt*
- ½ cup fat-free milk*
- ¼ cup baby food (flavor of your choice with no added sugar)
Instructions:
- Combine yogurt, fat-free milk, and baby food together in a medium bowl or glass pint jar.
- Mix well using a whisk, spoon or fork.
*For children between the ages of 1 and 2, experts recommend whole milk and whole-milk yogurt.
Serve this healthy tasty drink to your child in their favorite cup. You can also make this ahead and store in the fridge for up to two days. Glass jars with tight-sealing lids are ideal for this purpose.
Check out our previous newsletter on some additional tips on how to choose fermented drinks (including yogurt) here.
This issue was written by Justine Habibian, Ph.D., R.D.N. If you have a suggestion for a topic for the Insider, write to rethinkyourdrinknevada@unr.edu and receive a free, healthy drink recipe book.
