Do you give your child yoghurt as an everyday snack? It’s one of those foods most of us assume is a safe, healthy choice — but an analysis by Public Health Liverpool of the sugar levels in popular kids’ yoghurts might make you look twice at what’s in the pot.
If you’ve always thought of yoghurt as a good source of calcium and protein that helps children build strong bones and teeth, you’re not wrong — but some of the yoghurts marketed specifically at kids contain a surprising amount of added sugar. Here’s what the analysis found, and some simple ways to make yoghurt a genuinely healthy snack.
Maximum Recommended Daily Sugar for Kids
It helps to know the Maximum Daily Allowance (MDA) — the most sugar a child should have in a day to stay healthy.
The recommended maximum amount of sugar is:
- 4–6 years: 5 sugar cubes
- 7–10 years: 6 sugar cubes
- 11+ years: 7 sugar cubes
Where 1 sugar cube = 4g of sugar.
Recommended reading: Do You Know How Much Sugar Per Day Your Child Should Eat?
Popular Kids Yoghurts Analysed
When Public Health Liverpool analysed popular yoghurts marketed at kids, they found that some contain nearly 5 sugar cubes’ worth of added sugar in a single pot. That’s a huge chunk of a child’s daily allowance from one snack, so it’s worth keeping an eye on what’s going into the shopping trolley.
The tricky part is that added sugar isn’t always obvious from the packaging. To make it easier to compare, Public Health Liverpool ranked popular yoghurts by their added sugar content — not the natural sugars from milk or fruit, but the sugars added on top that count towards a child’s daily limit.
Each cube = 4g of added sugar:
- Muller Corner — 4.9 sugar cubes
- Aldi Brooklea own brand — 4.7 sugar cubes
- Asda own brand — 4.5 sugar cubes
- Nestle Smarties — 3.3 sugar cubes
- Nestle Ski — 2.6 sugar cubes
- Lidl Milbona own brand — 2.2 sugar cubes
- Yoplait Petits Filous — 2.1 sugar cubes
- Nestle Munch Bunch — 2 sugar cubes
Processed Fruit vs Whole Fruit
Many kids’ yoghurts are promoted as containing fruit, but most of that fruit has been processed in some way — turned into a smoothie, juice, purée or concentrate. The ingredients label should tell you if the fruit has been processed.
Whole fruit is a healthier way to add natural sweetness. Its sugars are contained within the fruit’s own structure, which makes them less likely to cause tooth decay. The fibre in whole fruit also slows down how quickly sugar enters the bloodstream, which helps reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Recommended reading: How Much Sugar Per Day Are We Really Consuming?
Make Your Own Yoghurt Combinations
One of the easiest ways to cut down on added sugar is to skip the pre-flavoured pots and build your own. Start with plain natural, skyr, or Greek yoghurt, then add whole fruit and healthy toppings for flavour — think seeds, chopped nuts, or a drizzle of honey, maple syrup or rice syrup instead of processed sweeteners.
Here are some combinations worth trying:
- Banana with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup
- Chopped strawberry and kiwi
- Mixed berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries) — if using frozen berries, it’s a good idea to bring them to the boil for a minute first to make sure they’re safe, then let them cool. This defrosts and heats them at the same time.
- Sliced banana with a sprinkle of cinnamon and chopped nuts
- Blueberries with a little lemon zest, a squeeze of lemon juice and a teaspoon of poppy seeds
- Peach slices (if using tinned, choose one without heavy syrup) with chopped pecans
- Chopped orange segments with a few chopped pistachios
- Apricot, almonds and pumpkin seeds — if using dried apricots, keep the portion small, as dried fruit is naturally higher in sugar
You might also enjoy: 5 Super Quick Super Healthy Snack Ideas for Kids
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all kids’ yoghurts unhealthy?
No — but many yoghurts marketed specifically at children contain more added sugar than you’d expect. Checking the label for added sugar content, rather than relying on marketing, is the best way to tell.
What’s the healthiest type of yoghurt to give kids?
Plain natural, Greek, or skyr yoghurt with no added sugar is the healthiest base. You can then sweeten it naturally with whole fruit, a drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Is fruit yoghurt a good source of fruit for my child?
Not always. Much of the fruit in flavoured yoghurts has been processed into purée, juice or concentrate, so it doesn’t offer the same benefits as whole fruit. Adding fresh or frozen fruit yourself is a better option.
How much sugar should my child have in a day?
This depends on age — younger children have a lower daily allowance than older children and teens. See our guide on how much sugar per day your child should eat for the full breakdown.
Related Articles
- Do You Know How Much Sugar Per Day Your Child Should Eat?
- How Much Sugar Per Day Are We Really Consuming?
- 5 Super Quick Super Healthy Snack Ideas for Kids
More Healthy Snack Ideas
Looking for more inspiration? Browse our family food section for more easy, healthy snack ideas you can make at home with whatever’s in the fridge.
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