Retired people who pay attention to nutritional values
You want to include plain yoghurt in your meals and compare the protein and fat content of different products, rather than assuming what it contains based on the word ‘Greek’ alone.
Who are these options for?
People who use yoghurt in cooking
You’re considering a large tub for several recipes or meals. This size is only practical if you can follow the storage guidance and finish the tub after opening.
People who prefer individual portions
You serve small amounts with each meal and would rather open one pot at a time than manage leftovers from a family-size tub.
What should you check before buying?
Start by comparing the nutritional values per 100 g of plain varieties, then choose a size that suits how often you eat yoghurt. The priorities below apply to shoppers making this choice as part of their retirement shopping.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Protein and fat | Compare these two values per 100 g, along with saturated fat if it matters to you. Auchan’s listings for Delta plain yoghurt at 0% and 10% fat respectively show 9.6 g and 6.5 g of protein per 100 g. | If you’re comparing two varieties by their nutritional content, you’ll want to distinguish between protein and fat rather than relying on the product name. Around 31% of shoppers in this group put this need first. |
| Quantity and storage | Check the net weight and the guidance for keeping the yoghurt after opening. Auchan’s listing for its 1 kg plain Greek yoghurt says to consume it within four days of opening; the listing for the large Lynos tub says three days. | If you’re cooking with a large tub, you need to be able to finish it within the time stated on the one you buy. Around 31% of shoppers consider this a priority. |
| Ingredients and labelling | Read the ingredients list and nutritional information, including the sugars per 100 g. The DGCCRF notes that the product name and ingredients are among the details shown on food labels. | When two tubs have similar names, you’ll want to know what each contains before choosing. Around 23% of shoppers put this information first. |
| Portions | Check how many pots are in the pack and their individual weight: Carrefour’s Danone plain yoghurt product comes in four 110 g pots. | If you eat a small amount at a time, opening an individual pot can help you avoid leftovers from a large container. For around 15% of shoppers, portion size comes before other criteria. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming all ‘Greek’ yoghurts have the same nutritional content
Auchan’s listings for Delta plain yoghurt at 0% and 10% fat show different amounts of protein and fat per 100 g. The name alone isn’t enough to choose between them on these criteria.
Compare the product name, ingredients and nutritional values on each pot.
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Buying a 1 kg tub for occasional use
A family-size tub may leave you with leftovers if you only use it now and then. Guidance for keeping yoghurt after opening also varies by product: Auchan’s listings say four days for its plain Greek yoghurt and three days for Lynos.
Plan which meals or recipes you’ll use the tub for, and follow the storage guidance on its packaging. If this size doesn’t suit you, look at smaller formats.
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Confusing a ‘use by’ date with a ‘best before’ date
The French Ministry of the Economy distinguishes between ‘use by’, which is a safety date, and ‘best before’, which is a minimum durability date.
Check the exact wording on the pot and follow the date and storage guidance that apply to the product you’ve bought.
Brands to compare
Carrefour
Carrefour lists two 1 kg tubs of plain yoghurt: an Extra Greek-style variety and an Original product described as made in Greece.
- The Extra listing specifies a recipe made with whole milk, cream, milk proteins and live cultures.
- The fat content differs between these two products: Carrefour lists 8.6 g per 100 g for Extra and 10 g for Original.
Danone
Carrefour lists Danone plain Greek-style yoghurt in a pack of four 110 g pots.
- Individual pots let you open one at a time.
- The listing for this product gives a fat content of 7 g per 100 g. The smaller format alone doesn’t tell you what’s in it.
Auchan
Auchan lists a 1 kg tub of plain Greek yoghurt made in Greece.
- The listing gives 7 g of protein and 10 g of fat per 100 g.
- The same listing says to consume the yoghurt within four days of opening, so this is worth considering when choosing a size.
Delta
Auchan lists two 1 kg tubs of Delta plain Greek yoghurt: one with 0% fat and one with 10% fat.
- Per 100 g, the 0% fat variety has 9.6 g of protein and 0 g of fat; the 10% fat variety has 6.5 g of protein and 10 g of fat.
- These figures apply to these two specific products, not to all Greek yoghurt or the entire Delta range.
FAGE
Auchan lists FAGE Total 0% in a 950 g tub.
- Its listing gives 10.3 g of protein, 0 g of fat and 120 mg of calcium per 100 g.
- These values apply to FAGE Total 0%; check the label separately for any other FAGE variety.
Related Joybuy products
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Frequently asked questions
How do you compare two different-sized pots of Greek yoghurt?
Start by comparing the nutritional information per 100 g, rather than the values per pot. The DGCCRF says this format lets you compare energy, fat, sugars, protein and salt on the same basis. Then check the net weight to choose a quantity that suits you.
How long can you keep a large tub after opening?
Follow the guidance on the tub you’ve bought and store it as directed. Auchan’s listings say to consume its 1 kg plain Greek yoghurt within four days of opening and the large Lynos tub within three days. These timeframes don’t automatically apply to other products.
Is Greek yoghurt enough on its own when choosing dairy products after 55?
No. Choosing one yoghurt doesn’t account for all the dairy products you eat. The French health insurance service provides general guidance for people over 55 relating to calcium and protein. To compare specific pots, check their nutritional values and portion sizes.
Does ‘use by’ mean the same as ‘best before’?
No. According to the French Ministry of the Economy, ‘use by’ is a safety date, while ‘best before’ is a minimum durability date. Check the exact wording on the yoghurt and follow its storage instructions too.