Have you noticed how the yoghurt section of most supermarkets has essentially taken over the dairy aisle?
Today, yoghurt or frozen yoghurt comes in a variety of flavours, and children enjoy eating it, but is it healthy for them?
Yoghurt is a nutrient-dense, delicious, and complete food. As a parent, you must be eager to include this delicious food in your child’s diet, especially since it comes in so many different flavours. Let’s find out about yoghurt.
What is Yoghurt?
Yoghurt is a fermented dairy product made by fermenting milk with Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus bacteria. It’s an excellent source of protein and calcium, making it one of the healthiest foods available.
You can find it easily in markets or make it at home. Homemade yoghurt can be fed to infants over 7 months old as the lactobacillus bacteria break down milk proteins, making it easier to digest.
Yoghurt comes in a variety of flavours
- Low-fat or fat-free yoghurt is made from 2% or skim milk.
- Kefir is a liquid yoghurt made by fermenting kefir grains with milk.
- Frozen yoghurt is often high in sugar and not necessarily healthier than ice cream.
- Non-dairy yoghurt includes soy and coconut milk alternatives.
- Greek yoghurt is thick and creamy with more protein and less calcium than regular yoghurt. It comes in full-fat, reduced-fat, and non-fat varieties.
- Skyr is an Icelandic-style yoghurt that is thick, creamy, and high in protein, similar to Greek yoghurt but requires more milk to make.
Is Yogurt Beneficial to Children?
Yoghurt has a very healthy composition and is especially recommended for children. Most kids will crinkle their noses if you call any food “healthy,” because they see it as a ruse to get them to eat something they don’t like.
