FYI - Not All Yogurt is Yogurt!!

[Leiiki]

Don't rely on the word "yogurt" to indicate a product is healthy. Many yogurt products being marketed now are little more than sugary milk. Over processing kills the probiotics that make yogurt worth eating, and fillers are rampant to improve the creaminess of otherwise fat-free yogurts.

Big offenders:
Yo On The Go - this is strawberry milk. Yogurt barely looked at the vat as it passed by.
Go-Gurt - Sugar central, overprocessed.
Yogurt Raisins - Actually a paste of sugar, oil, dry milk, and yogurt powder.

Look for the National Yogurt Association “Live and Active Cultures” seal to help you find a product that contains at least 100 million cultures. Kefir is a great alternative to sugary yogurt "smoothie" drinks.

[JennTheMomma]

I've only heard of one of those yogurts. I only buy organic and we love Wallaby yogurt.

[Geckmumto3]

I agree. "Yogurt" has become like "fruit" snacks.

[jen_batten]

Originally Posted by Geckmumto3 I agree. "Yogurt" has become like "fruit" snacks.

Amen. ITA to the yogurt thing and the fruit snack thing. My Mom thinks "fruit" snacks are healthy, because "they're fruit!" No Mom....97% sugar, 2% perserviatives and 1% fruit is not fruit. Now the all-fruit ones and the real yogurt we like! But the claims work well for the companies because not that many people read/understand the label.

[qsefthuko]

I stopped buying yogurt once I read the ingredients list. Now it is an occasional treat for the kids but isn't portrayed as healthy. I showed them how to read the labels.

Even as a kid I never considered fruit rolls anything but candy.

[happysmileylady]

not that many people read/understand the label.

I find this is true on both sides of the "healthy" debate. It doesn't matter what it is you are buying, you have to read the label to know if it's really healthy or not. Don't rely on brand names, words like organic or natural or real fruit juice or a full serving of vegetables, or any of that. Healthy isn't determined by the words on the front of the package, but the words on the back or side of it.

[JennTheMomma]

Originally Posted by happysmileylady I find this is true on both sides of the "healthy" debate. It doesn't matter what it is you are buying, you have to read the label to know if it's really healthy or not. Don't rely on brand names, words like organic or natural or real fruit juice or a full serving of vegetables, or any of that. Healthy isn't determined by the words on the front of the package, but the words on the back or side of it.

ITA! I remember being approached by a woman at our local co-op and she asked me why I was reading the lable since the box said organic. I told her that I ALWAYS read the lable on everything even when it says organic because there is a buffer and they can put x% of non-organic things in them and I want to make sure I'm getting a healthy product. And not just the ingredients, but the amount of sugar, protein, and so on. And it may be organic, but it may be filled with organic sugar and little nutrition.

[Leiiki]

Originally Posted by JennTheMomma And it may be organic, but it may be filled with organic sugar and little nutrition.

Too true. I also hate packaging that makes food sound special when it's not - like "Popcorn: Made with WHOLE GRAIN!!!" or "Apple Juice: Naturally FAT FREE!!!"

[keonli]

Originally Posted by jen_batten Amen. ITA to the yogurt thing and the fruit snack thing. My Mom thinks "fruit" snacks are healthy, because "they're fruit!" No Mom....97% sugar, 2% perserviatives and 1% fruit is not fruit. Now the all-fruit ones and the real yogurt we like! But the claims work well for the companies because not that many people read/understand the label.

We must have the same mom. And funyuns are a vegetable because they're "onion flavored rings".

[brookglen]

100% plain greek yogurt is all we keep in our house.

I don't understand the point of putting M&Ms or crushed up Reese's on top of sugary vanilla yogurt which is meant to be a healthy snack. A)not even remotely healthy and b) gross.