Whether you’re serving it for breakfast, adding it to your kids’ lunch boxes, or looking for distance learning or school snacks, yogurt can be a healthy, delicious way to get key nutrients like calcium in their diets. Yet finding the best kids’ yogurt brands can be a real challenge.
In the U.S., the yogurt market is booming—worth an estimated $38.7 billion—
so if it seems the options are endless, it’s not your imagination.
Depending on the type, yogurt can be a good source of protein, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin B12, and rich in gut-friendly, immune-boosting probiotics.
Yet between plain, Greek, Skyr, French and dairy-free, fruit-flavored and with sweet, crunchy mix-ins, trying to figure out how to choose a healthy kid’s yogurt can make your head spin.
What’s more, most types of yogurt are high in sugar, and surprisingly, organic and kids’ yogurts are some of the worst offenders.
In fact, according to a 2018 study in the journal BMJ Open, fewer than 9% of yogurts and only 2% of kids’ yogurts were considered low sugar, or less than 5 grams of sugar per 100 grams.
The American Heart Association recommends kids under 2 shouldn’t have any added sugars in their diets while those between 2 and 18 should have no more than 25 grams, or 6 teaspoons, of added sugar a day.
Yet studies show kids are getting an average of 80 grams of added sugars a day.
BEST KIDS’ YOGURT BRANDS
Instead of wasting your time in the grocery store reading labels, I’ve done the work for you and selected some of the best kids’ yogurt brands. Here are 21.
1. SIGGI’S LOWFAT KIDS POUCHES
Siggi’s Lowfat Kids Pouches is one of my favorite kids’ yogurt brands.
With 5 grams of protein and 6 grams of sugar (4 grams of added sugars), Siggi’s is non-GMO, made with real fruit, and with milk that doesn’t contain rbST, a growth hormone, and has no artificial colorings, or preservatives.
2. STONYFIELD ORGANIC YOBABY PLAIN
Stonyfield Organic YoBaby Plain yogurt is a good choice for babies or kids. It has 4 grams of protein, 5 grams of sugar, and no added sugars.
Serve it as is, or add fresh blueberries or raspberries (whole or pureed), which add fiber and some natural sweetness.
3. BRAINIAC KIDS SMART TUBES
Brainiac Kids is a fairly new line of yogurt for kids, having launched in 2019.
Their yogurts are non-GMO, gluten-free, and have no artificial flavors. What makes their yogurts different is that they contain a proprietary blend of omega-3 fatty acids, including DHA, EPA, ALA, the healthy fats kids need as well as choline, an essential nutrient for brain development and memory function.
While their Smart Tubes in mixed berry don’t have a lot of protein (2 grams) and have 4 grams of added sugars, they’re a good option if your kids won’t eat plain, unsweetened yogurt.
4. LAVVA
If you’re looking for a dairy-free, high protein yogurt, Lavva is one of my favorite brands.
Lavva is plant-based yogurt made with pili nuts, a type of tree nut that’s grown in Southeast Asia and is high in magnesium, and a good source of protein, calcium, iron, potassium, zinc, and monounsaturated healthy fats that kids need in their diets.
It’s also made with young plantains, coconut, cassava, and real fruit, has no artificial flavors or ingredients, and is available in 6 different flavors. What I like most about Lavva is that unlike almond milk and coconut milk yogurts, it has a much thicker, creamier texture and a more robust flavor.
It’s not the best source of protein (2 grams) but it has only 7 grams of sugar per serving and no added sugars.
One caveat: with 140 calories per serving, pay attention to portion sizes and take into consideration your kid’s age and if you’re serving it with lunch or as a snack, for example.
5. STONYFIELD ORGANIC 100% GRASSFED GREEK PLAIN
If organic grass-fed yogurt is important to you, consider Stonyfield Organic’s 100% Grassfed Greek Plain Yogurt. With 16 grams of protein per serving, 5 grams of sugar, and no added sugars, this is one of the best kids’ yogurt brands. Serve it plain, with your kid’s favorite fruit, or add it to smoothies.
Related: How To Make Smoothies For Kids
6. GREEN VALLEY CREAMERY ORGANIC PLAIN LOWFAT YOGURT
A lactose-free yogurt, Green Valley Creamery’s Organic Plain Lowfat Yogurt has no added sugars, artificial ingredients, or preservatives.
Each 90-calorie serving has 8 grams of protein and 8 grams of sugar. They also have a whole milk variety that’s also high in protein and low in sugar.
[image]
7. DANNON OIKOS GREEK NONFAT YOGURT
Greek yogurt is high in protein and Dannon’s Oikos Greek Nonfat Yogurt does not disappoint.
Each 80-calorie serving has a whopping 15 grams of protein, 6 grams of sugar, and no added sugars.
The tangy flavor of Greek yogurt can be a hard sell for kids, however, so try adding cinnamon, pure vanilla extract, fresh berries, or even a drop of honey to add a bit of sweetness.
8. STONYFIELD ORGANIC WHOLE MILK TUBES
Another organic kids’ yogurt made with dairy from pasture-raised cows and non-GMO ingredients, Stonyfield Organic’s Whole Milk Tubes Strawberry Beet Berry is one of the better kids’ yogurt tubes.
At 50 calories per serving, there’s a decent amount of protein—2 grams. It’s also low in sugar (5 grams total, 3 grams of added sugars). The strawberry and banana flavor is also a good option and has only 2 grams of added sugars.
9. CHOBANI SQUEEZABLE GREEK YOGURT
If you’re looking for yogurt you can squeeze into a smoothie bowl or Mexican dish, Chobani has a line of plain squeezable Greek yogurts in low-fat and whole milk versions. A 2 tablespoon portion has 3 grams of protein, and no added sugars or artificial flavors, or preservatives.
10. MAPLE HILL ORGANIC PLAIN GREEK YOGURT
Another 100% grassfed yogurt option for kids is Maple Hill Organic’s Plain Greek Yogurt, which has 15 grams of protein, 8 grams of sugar, no added sugars, and live and active cultures.
MORE BEST KIDS’ YOGURT BRANDS
11. DANNON DANIMALS STRAWBERRY NON-FAT YOGURT
With no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, Dannon’s Danimals Strawberry Non-Fat Yogurt can be a good option if kid-friendly characters are the draw that will get yours to eat yogurt.
It has 4 grams of protein and although it has 10 grams of sugar (5 grams of added sugars), it’s not the worst kids’ yogurt brand out there.
12. CHOBANI GREEK NON-FAT YOGURT PLAIN
A thick and creamy option, Chobani’s Greek Non-Fat Plain yogurt has 14 grams of protein, and no added sugars, artificial flavors, or preservatives.
13. SIGGI’S SKYR PLAIN 0% STRAINED NONFAT YOGURT
Thick and creamy, Siggi’s Skyr Plain 0% Strained Nonfat Yogurt has more protein than most—16 gram per serving—4 grams of sugar and no added sugars.
14. YQ PLAIN YOGURT
Most Yoplait yogurts are high in sugar and more like dessert but their YQ line is a great choice. With just two ingredients—milk and cultures— this yogurt has a whopping 17 grams of protein, 1 gram of sugar, no added sugars, and no artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors.
15. FORAGER PROJECT ORGANIC DAIRY-FREE CASHEWMILK YOGURT
Forager Project is a family-owned and operated organic food company based in California that sells plant-based products.
Their Organic Dairy-Free Cashewmilk, which has 3 grams of protein, only 1 gram of sugar, and no added sugars or flavors, is a great option for kids.
If you’re looking for a dairy-free yogurt with more protein, check out their Unsweetened Plain Protein Yogurt, which is a blend of cashew and coconut milk, and has 7 grams of protein.
16. WALLABY ORGANIC AUSSIE GREEK LOWFAT PLAIN
Wallaby Organic Aussie Greek Lowfat Plain Yogurt is another great yogurt for kids. A one-cup serving has 15 grams of protein, 5 grams of sugar, and no added sugars.
If you’re looking for a flavored Greek yogurt, they have a line of Greek yogurts in 3 flavors that have no added sugars—strawberry is the lowest in sugar.
17. KITE HILL ALMOND MILK GREEK STYLE YOGURT
If you’re looking for a plant-based yogurt for your kids, try Kite Hill’s dairy-free, Almond Milk Greek Style yogurt.
Both the plain and vanilla unsweetened varieties have 11 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber, and only 2 grams of sugar (no added sugars). Kite Hill’s yogurts have no artificial preservatives or flavors, are non-GMO, and soy-free.
18. DAH! DAHI YOGURT
DAH! offers a line of several India-inspired yogurts and yogurt drinks. Dahi yogurt is organic, made with grass-fed milk, a good source of protein, has no added sugars, and has 15 billion probiotics to boot. It’s also smooth, creamy, and slightly sweet. DAH!’s oat, almond, and coconut plain and flavored blended yogurts, and their plain almond yogurt are good picks too.
19. ICELANDIC PROVISIONS
A traditional Skyr yogurt, Icelandic Provisions in vanilla has 15 grams of protein, 9 grams of sugar (6 grams in added sugar), and live and active cultures.
20. TILLAMOOK PLAIN & SIMPLE
Tillamook County Creamery Association is a farmer-owned co-op in Oregon that produces yogurt, cheese, ice cream, and more and their Plain & Simple Greek yogurt is one of the best kids’ yogurt brands. It has 17 grams of protein per serving, no added sugars, and live active cultures. For now, Tillamook is available only in stores on the West Coast but they have plans to expand to be sure to check back.
21. NOOSA PLAIN GREEK
Noosa is one of my favorite yogurts because it’s so smooth and creamy and their Plain Greek Yogurt is the perfect pick. With 14 grams of protein and no added sugars, this is one of the best kids’ yogurt brands to try.
