Who is this advice for?

Parents considering 0% yoghurt

You’re looking for a low-fat yoghurt for your child’s breakfast. Before comparing recipes, bear in mind that Manger Bouger advises against 0%, skimmed and semi-skimmed products for children under 3.

Parents looking to tell plain from flavoured yoghurt

You want to identify a plain recipe without confusing it with yoghurt containing a sweetened preparation. The product name and ingredients list can help you tell the difference; also check the packaging for the milk allergen.

Parents keeping track of their child’s dairy intake

You’re thinking of serving yoghurt when your child also drinks milk or has other dairy products. Consider the yoghurt as part of their overall daily intake, rather than looking at breakfast alone.

What should you look for?

For a child under 3, first check that the product is not 0%, skimmed or semi-skimmed. Then compare the recipe and serving size with the other dairy products they have throughout the day.

Criteria What to check Who this matters to
Fat content and age Avoid products labelled 0%, skimmed or semi-skimmed; check the fat content per 100 g for the product you’re considering. For my child under 3’s breakfast, I want to avoid a low-fat product that isn’t suitable for their age. Around 50% of consumers prioritise this.
Plain recipe Check the product name and ingredients to tell plain yoghurt apart from one with a flavoured preparation; look out for the milk allergen. I want to know whether the pot contains just plain yoghurt or also a sweetened preparation. This recipe choice comes first for around 30% of consumers.
Part of their daily intake Consider the serving size and take into account the milk and other dairy products they have that day. If I already give my child milk, I want to consider the yoghurt alongside their other dairy intake. This is the priority for around 20% of consumers.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming ‘Greek’ means it’s suitable for toddlers

    The product category name alone doesn’t tell you how much fat it contains. According to Manger Bouger, 0%, skimmed and semi-skimmed products are not suitable for children under 3.

    Check your child’s age and the fat content before comparing other details on the packaging.

  • Choosing flavoured 0% yoghurt as a compromise

    A flavoured recipe may contain a sweetened preparation while still being a 0% product. For example, Carrefour says that its Delta lemon meringue 0% yoghurt contains a lemon preparation with sugar.

    For a child under 3, look for a plain, full-fat recipe instead, and read its ingredients list.

  • Counting the yoghurt without considering the rest of the day

    Yoghurt served at breakfast adds to your child’s other dairy intake. Choosing it without considering the milk and dairy products they have later could give you an inaccurate picture of their overall intake.

    Consider the serving size and their other dairy intake before deciding where yoghurt fits in.

  • Relying only on the product information you saw before buying

    The recipe and information on the packaging relate to the product you’re going to serve. The DGCCRF highlights the importance of the product name, ingredients and nutritional information on the label.

    Check the pot for the ingredients list, milk allergen, fat content and use-by date.

Brands and products to know

Delta

Delta offers Greek-style 0% yoghurts, including plain and lemon meringue varieties.

  • The Carrefour product page for the plain 0% version lists skimmed milk and cultures.
  • The 0% lemon meringue version contains a lemon preparation with sugar. According to Manger Bouger’s guidance, neither 0% version is suitable for a child under 3.

FAGE

FAGE Total 0% is a strained yoghurt made to a Greek-style recipe.

  • The Auchan product page lists 0 g of fat and 10,3 g of protein per 100 g for this product.
  • Its protein content doesn’t change the age-related guidance: Manger Bouger says 0% products are not suitable for children under 3.

Carrefour

Carrefour Original Greek-style plain yoghurt is an example of a full-fat recipe, unlike the 0% versions.

  • Carrefour lists 10 g of fat per 100 g for this product.
  • The ‘Greek-style’ label and this figure alone don’t tell you how much to serve. Check the recipe and take your child’s other dairy intake throughout the day into account.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is 0% Greek yoghurt suitable for a child under 3?

No. Manger Bouger says 0%, skimmed and semi-skimmed products are not suitable for children under 3. So don’t choose low-fat Greek yoghurt for their breakfast just because it’s low-fat.

What should I look for in plain Greek yoghurt versus a flavoured version?

For breakfast, look for a plain, full-fat recipe and check the ingredients for the specific product. Carrefour’s product page for Delta lemon meringue 0% yoghurt lists a lemon preparation containing sugar. The flavour and the 0% label are two separate things to check.

Does yoghurt automatically replace milk at breakfast?

No, don’t treat it as an automatic replacement. For a young child, consider the amount of yoghurt served alongside the milk and other dairy products they have throughout the day. Manger Bouger also highlights the importance of fat content when choosing milk for children under 3.

What information should I check on the pot before serving it?

Check the product name, ingredients, milk allergen, fat content in the nutritional information and use-by date. The DGCCRF notes that the product name, ingredients list and nutritional information are among the essential details that must appear on prepacked food labels.