High-Protein Yoghurts Exposed: My Real Food Ratings Guide to Making Informed Choices for Your Family!
Real Food Ratings - High Protein Yoghurts
Parents, we need to talk about high-protein yogurts! As a paediatric nutritionist, I'm constantly asked about these trendy products filling our supermarket shelves. Are they really necessary? Are they healthy? And most importantly – should we be sharing them with our kids?
Before we dive into specific products, let's understand something crucial: most children are already getting plenty of protein from their regular meals!
Here's what your child actually needs:
Daily Protein Requirements:
2-3 years: 13-15g (that's about 2 eggs and a glass of milk!)
4-6 years: 19-20g
8-12 years: 24-34g
Teens: 45-65g (varies by gender and activity)
Adults: 0.8-1.0g/kg body weight (general guidance)
Here's what shocked me: one high-protein yogurt can contain 15-20g of protein – potentially exceeding a toddler's entire daily requirement in one serve!
While these high-protein yogurts are marketed to adults watching their weight or following high-protein diets, there's an important ripple effect we need to consider. Our children learn eating habits by watching us, and when we share breakfast together or make family smoothie bowls, it's natural for our little ones to want what we're having. If you're regularly choosing these high-protein yoghurts, chances are your children are either sharing them or asking for their own.
Let's Talk About Dairy Proteins and Processing!
Parents often ask me about protein sources in these yoghurts (and other high-protein products). Here's what you need to know, from best to worst:
1. Natural Dairy Proteins
Found in regular and Greek yoghurt from full cream and skim milk
Gentle on tummies
Naturally occurring enzymes help digestion
Just like the protein in your glass of milk!
2. Milk Solids
More processed but still okay
Think of it as concentrated milk
Generally well-tolerated
Often used to boost protein content
3. Milk Protein Concentrate (MPC)
Heavily processed
May cause digestive issues in sensitive tummies
Often used in commercial products
Can be harder to digest
4. Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC)
More heavily processed
May cause bloating and digestive upset
Often added to boost protein content
Common in commercial products
5. Whey Protein Isolate (WPI)
Most processed option
Might cause bloating and discomfort
Common in "performance" products
Not ideal for children
Highest protein concentration
Most likely to cause digestive issues
Real Food Ratings: What's Really in That Tub?
1.YoPRO Performance Mango & Passionfruit | Real Food Rating: ★★☆ (2.5/5)
Protein: 20.1g per 175g serving
Price: $3.70/175g
Ingredients: Milk, milk protein concentrate, whey protein concentrate (milk), mango (1.5%), cream (milk), passionfruit puree (0.5%), thickener (rice starch), natural flavours, live yoghurt cultures (milk), milk minerals, stabilisers (locust bean gum, pectin), sweetener (steviol glycosides), salt, lemon pulp, natural colour (paprika extract).
Ingredients Overview:
Full-cream milk is main ingredient
Multiple processed protein sources (milk protein concentrate and whey protein concentrate) that may be hard to digest and more processed than the rest.
Longer ingredient list: thicker, natural flavour, stabilisers, stevia, natural colour
Contains probiotics
Best For: Adult athletes with strong digestive systems and not intolerances.
2.YoPRO Banana | Real Food Rating: ★★★☆ (3.5/5)
Protein: 15.4g per 160g serving
Price: $3.00/160g
Ingredients: Skim milk, banana puree (5%), lemon pulp, thickener (rice starch), natural flavour, sweetener (steviol glycosides), salt, enzyme (lactase), live yoghurt cultures (milk), natural colour (beta carotene)
Ingredients Overview:
Skim milk is the main ingredient used to increase protein ( less processed than the above option)
Higher fruit content - banana puree 5%
Rice starch is used to thicken
Natural flavour and colour plus stevia
Contains probiotics
Best For: Active teens and adults and occasional use by kids over 8+
3. Chobani FIT | Real Food Rating: ★★★ (3/5)
Protein: 15.4g per 160g serving
Price: $2.20/160g
Ingredients: Skim Milk, Water, Rice Starch, Natural Flavours, Enzyme (Lactase), Sweetener (Steviol Glycosides), Vanilla Bean (0.01%), Salt, Vegetable Gum (Guar Gum), Acidity Regulators (Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate), Live Cultures (Milk). Live and Active Cultures: S. thermophilus, L. bulgaricus, L. acidophilus, Bifidus and L. casei. 9 Essential Amino Acids Contains 0.4 g Histidine, 0.7 g Isoleucine, 1.3 g Leucine, 1.1 g Lysine, 0.4 g Methionine, 0.7 g Phenylalanine, 0.5 g Threonine, 0.2 g Tryptophan, and 0.8 g Valine per serve, naturally occurring in milk protein.
Ingredient Overview:
Skim milk
Water is the second ingredient, and rice starch is the third. Cheap ingredients reduce the cost of the product. This yoghurt is bulked out with low-cost additives.
Thickeners and acidity regulators are used - they are not ‘bad’ additives but reduce the ‘real food’ aspect of this yoghurt
Contains natural flavours and stevia to sweeten and flavour
Contains probiotics
Best For: Budget-conscious active adults who want a high protein yoghurt
4. Evia Greek Pro | Real Food Rating: ★★★★(4/5)
Protein: 16.2g per 170g serving
Price: $6.95 /700g
Ingredients: Skim milk, Cream (Milk), Milk Solids, Live Cultures (Milk) (including Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis)
Ingredient Overview
Short, simple 4-ingredient list ( skim milk and milk solids)
Contains cream, which adds back the creaminess and fat
No natural flavours or sweeteners
Probiotics
Best For: Top choice for teens and adults seeking extra protein
5. Woolworths High Protein | Real Food Rating: ★★★☆ (3.5/5)
Protein: 18g per 200g serving
Price: $6.00/ 900g
Ingredients: Skim Milk, Skim Milk Solids, Lactic Starter Cultures (Milk) (including S. Thermophilus, L. Acidophilus, Bifidobacterium, L. Casei)
Ingredient Overview:
Skim milk and skim milk solids
Short ingredient list
Probiotics
No natural flavours, no sweeteners
Best For: Budget-friendly option for adults and athletic teens
Better Alternatives for Children
While high-protein yoghurts can serve a purpose for active teens and adults, they're unnecessary and potentially unsuitable for young children. The best approach is to focus on whole food sources of protein and use traditional yoghurt as part of a balanced diet.
Regular whole milk yoghurt with:
Fresh fruit
Nuts and seeds
Natural honey
Traditional Greek yoghurt
Homemade smoothie bowls with added nuts, seeds, granola, peanut butter or almond butter.
Final Thoughts
Remember: More protein isn't always better, especially for growing children. Focus on quality over quantity and whole foods over processed alternatives.
Want more expert guidance on choosing better supermarket options for your family? Join my upcoming Smart Shopping Webinar, where I’ll take you through label reading, decoding marketing claims, and selecting real food options your kids will love. Every small step toward better choices counts!