Who are these criteria for?

Older people with a usual appetite

For a dessert or snack, compare the pot size, sugars, protein and ingredients in the recipe you’re considering. You can’t judge the merits of a fruit yoghurt by its flavour or brand alone.

Older people eating less or losing weight

Choosing a yoghurt should not distract from reduced food intake or weight loss. Assurance Maladie recommends seeking help for malnutrition without delay; speak to a medical professional if this applies to you.

Older people who are particular about texture and format

Stirred yoghurt, fruit pieces and drinkable formats suit different preferences. If you have difficulty chewing or swallowing, ask a health professional to determine the right texture rather than relying on the packaging alone.

Which criteria should you look at first?

Start by considering the person’s eating habits, then compare recipes in equal quantities and check that the format suits them. A product labelled as higher in protein or 0% fat is not, by itself, a solution to weight loss.

Criterion What to check Who is it for?
Appetite and weight loss If the person is eating significantly less or losing weight, seek medical advice rather than relying on a yoghurt, particularly a reduced-fat one, as the solution. When my appetite drops, I want to make sure that simply changing my yoghurt doesn’t delay getting help. This would be a priority for around 42% of consumers.
Protein, sugars and recipe Compare the nutritional values per 100 g and per pot, then check the ingredients in the specific variety. If I like several fruit yoghurt recipes, I want to understand what’s actually in my serving. Around 33% of consumers would make this comparison their priority.
Texture and convenience Check the texture, container size, use-by date and storage instructions for the specific product. For a snack I’ll enjoy eating, the pieces, texture or format come first. Convenience would be the top criterion for around 25% of consumers.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Automatically choosing a reduced-fat version when weight is falling

    In cases of malnutrition, Manger Bouger advises against prioritising reduced-fat products. Weight loss cannot be addressed simply by choosing a different yoghurt.

    If the person is eating less or losing weight, seek medical advice to assess their nutritional situation.

  • Assuming all ‘fruit’ yoghurts are the same

    The ingredients and nutritional values vary by product. For example, the Carrefour France product information for the Danone Velouté aux fruits consulted states that the recipe contains 6.7% sugar and an average of 5% fruit. These figures do not apply to other fruit yoghurts.

    Read the ingredients list and compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per pot for each variety you’re considering.

  • Assuming a drinkable format or fruit pieces will suit everyone

    A preference for a particular texture isn’t enough to determine what’s suitable for someone who has difficulty chewing or swallowing.

    If you cough, choke or have difficulty chewing during meals, ask a health professional for advice.

  • Assuming storage instructions for one product apply to another

    The time Yoplait says its 180 g Yop can be kept out of the fridge applies to that specific product; it doesn’t apply to yoghurts sold in pots.

    Check the use-by date, allergens and storage instructions on the product you buy.

Brands to compare

Yoplait

Panier l’Original may appeal to people looking for a yoghurt with pieces of fruit who want to compare the nutritional values of a specific recipe.

  • Yoplait states that Panier l’Original contains 6.5 g of protein and 7.8 g of sugars per 100 g.
  • These values apply to this specific product, not all Yoplait products. Nor does the presence of fruit pieces tell you whether it is suitable for someone with chewing difficulties.

Danone

When comparing protein content, distinguish a fruit yoghurt such as Velouté from a product in the HiPRO range.

  • The Carrefour France product information consulted for Velouté aux fruits states that it contains an average of 5% fruit and that the recipe contains 6.7% sugar. Danone states that HiPRO products contain 15 g of protein per pot.
  • These details relate to different products, so their servings are not equivalent. Nor is a HiPRO product automatically a solution to malnutrition.

Carrefour

A Carrefour Bio fruit yoghurt gives you the opportunity to compare its fruit content and ingredients with those of other recipes.

  • The Carrefour France product information consulted states that this product contains 10% fruit and lists 8.5% cane sugar among its ingredients.
  • Being organic and having these proportions do not, on their own, determine whether this yoghurt is suitable for an older person’s nutritional needs.

Joybuy products related to this topic

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is a fruit yoghurt enough if you have malnutrition?

No, a fruit yoghurt alone is not a treatment for malnutrition. Assurance Maladie recommends seeking help without delay; following a medical assessment, oral nutritional supplements may be needed.

Should older people choose a 0% yoghurt?

No, it’s not a general rule. For people over 75 with malnutrition, Manger Bouger advises avoiding reduced-fat products. The right recipe depends on the person’s diet and individual circumstances.

What should you compare on the labels of two fruit yoghurts?

First compare the nutritional values per 100 g, then compare them per serving if the pots are different sizes. Also check the ingredients, allergens, use-by date and storage instructions for each product.

Can a drinkable fruit yoghurt be kept out of the fridge?

Only if the storage instructions for that specific product say so. Yoplait says its 180 g Yop can be kept out of the fridge for up to 8 hours; this guidance does not apply to other drinkable yoghurts or to yoghurts sold in pots.