Yoghurt For Kids
Almost a quarter of Australia’s children are overweight, so we need to think carefully about the meals and snacks we give them. Yoghurt is an excellent choice. It contains calcium, protein and important vitamins like riboflavin. Some yoghurts also contain valuable bacteria which may be helpful for children with upset stomachs. Nutritionist Rosemary Stanton looked at the yoghurt products manufactured especially for kids, to see how they measure up against regular yoghurts. Kids’ yoghurts often come in tiny containers. While these might be useful for very young children, they are expensive and they’re not available in a low fat form. The amount of sugar in some of these products could also be a problem. Some kids’ yoghurts have the equivalent of four teaspoons of sugar in each container, and food colouring could be a problem. Many of the products aren’t actually yoghurt (real yoghurt has the word ‘yoghurt’ on the label). These products are not suitable as everyday snacks for children.
Rosemary’s recommendations
Read the labels carefully. Look for low fat yoghurts with as few additives as possible. (Tip: labels list ingredients in order from the greatest to the smallest, so make sure fruit is listed above sugar.) Give your children ordinary yoghurt. They’ll benefit from less sugar, less colouring and the option of lower fat content, and you’ll save money.