For an older person with no identified specific nutritional needs, plain Greek-style yoghurt in a portion suitable for an afternoon snack is a good starting point if a creamy texture and simple flavour are the priority. Then compare the sugar, fat and protein content per 100 g: “mild” does not mean low in sugar or fat. If protein intake becomes a priority, skyr is another category to consider. Unintentional weight loss or difficulty swallowing calls for professional advice.
If texture is what makes an afternoon snack enjoyable, compare plain varieties and pot sizes. Carrefour France lists Greek-style yoghurts from Danone and Carrefour Extra made with milk and cream; their nutritional values should be compared separately.
A mild taste tells you nothing about nutritional values. If you’re deciding what to serve with the yoghurt, compare the sugar and fat content per 100 g in a plain variety and a flavoured one.
If someone is losing weight unintentionally, regularly missing meals or having difficulty chewing or swallowing, choosing a yoghurt alone will not address the situation. The French National Authority for Health highlights the importance of assessing malnutrition in people aged 70 and over. Seek medical or dietetic advice.
When choosing an afternoon snack for an older person, start with what matters most to them: taste and texture, nutritional composition, or an intake concern that needs professional assessment.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Taste and texture | Plain or flavoured variety; the texture you’re looking for and the pot size. | I want a simple-tasting snack with a texture I enjoy, rather than choosing based on the word “mild” alone. Around 40% of consumers would prioritise this above all else. |
| Sugar and fat | Values per 100 g and the amount actually served; compare a plain variety with a flavoured one in particular. | If I’m keeping an eye on what’s in my snack, I want to be able to adjust separately what I add to the yoghurt. Around 40% of consumers would prioritise keeping sugar and fat in check. |
| Protein and nutritional needs | Protein per 100 g and per pot; if there is unintentional weight loss or difficulty swallowing, seek professional advice. | If my appetite is decreasing or I’m concerned about my intake, I don’t want to rely on a single product to solve the problem. Around 20% of consumers would put assessing their needs or comparing protein content first. |
Taste and creaminess don’t tell you how much sugar or fat a product contains. For the plain varieties listed, Carrefour France, E.Leclerc and Auchan France show fat content ranging from 7 to 10 g per 100 g.
Check the nutritional information per 100 g before choosing a variety for its texture.
For Délisse, E.Leclerc lists 13 g of sugar per 100 g for its lemon Greek-style yoghurt, compared with 4 g for its plain Greek yoghurt. These two products also come in different packaging.
Compare the labels on an equal-weight basis. If you’d rather adjust the flavour yourself, start with a plain variety and choose what to serve with it separately.
The French National Authority for Health identifies unintentional weight loss as a sign to consider when assessing malnutrition in people aged 70 and over. The protein content of a pot is no substitute for that assessment.
If the person is losing weight, eating very little or having difficulty chewing or swallowing, seek medical or dietetic advice.
The varieties mentioned contain milk. For products with a use-by date, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (Anses) advises that they should not be eaten after that date.
Check the ingredients, allergens, storage instructions and use-by date on the pot you receive.
Carrefour France lists Danone plain Greek-style yoghurt in a pack of eight 150 g pots.
Carrefour France lists this plain Greek-style variety in a pack of four 150 g pots.
E.Leclerc’s listings let you compare this brand’s plain Greek yoghurt with its lemon Greek-style yoghurt.
Auchan France lists plain Greek-style yoghurt in a pack of four 150 g pots.
Lidl France highlights the velvety texture of this Greek-style yoghurt.
Skyr Nature and Perle de Lait Nature are two alternatives to consider outside the Greek yoghurt category.
No. Here, “mild” describes the taste, not the nutritional values. Check the “sugars” and “fat” figures per 100 g, as well as the portion served, on the packaging of the variety you choose.
The choice should take the person’s individual needs and the advice of their care team into account. French Health Insurance emphasises that a diet for someone with diabetes should be tailored to them. Compare the sugar content per 100 g and the portion size of a plain and a flavoured variety, rather than relying on the word “mild” alone to guide your choice.
No. Unintentional weight loss calls for an assessment, rather than automatically replacing an afternoon snack with a high-protein product. The French National Authority for Health takes it into account when diagnosing malnutrition in people aged 70 and over. Seek medical or dietetic advice.
Check the ingredients and allergens for each product before buying: the Greek-style yoghurts mentioned here contain milk. Don’t assume that a mild texture or switching brands makes a product suitable for someone avoiding certain ingredients. Ask the person’s healthcare professional to clarify what they need to avoid.
Check the variety, allergens, storage instructions and use-by date on the pots you receive. According to the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (Anses), products with a use-by date should not be eaten after it has passed.