As a pediatric dietitian, I am always looking for nutrient-dense and high-protein snack options for toddlers, kids, and teens. Especially high-protein foods for our picky eaters!
Yogurt is almost always on my list of recommendations because of its high-quality nutrition. It’s packed with probiotics, protein, calcium, AND vitamin D. And let’s not forget the most important part: kids (even picky eaters) love it! Its a win-win.
But what kind of probiotic yogurt is best for our babies, toddlers, and teens? And are there brands of yogurt that deliver great taste AND quality ingredients?
One brand that has recently branched into the kid’s yogurt space is Kourellas – a dairy brand known for its high quality and traditional ingredients.
In this blog post, we will review what to look for in a probiotic yogurt for kids and an honest review of the Kourellas Kid’s Yogurt from a dietitian’s perspective.
This post is sponsored by Kourellas. All opinions and recommendations are my own.
Who is Kourellas?
Kourellas is a Greek-originated dairy company that is known for prioritizing high quality ingredients, Greek tradition, and sustainable practices. They specialize in yogurts, kefir, and cheeses. Specifically for kiddos, they offer drinkable yogurts.
Today I will be reviewing the Kourellas Kids Organic Drinkable Yogurt, made with whole milk and naturally sweetened. So let’s see if it passes the test!
What should we look for in a kid’s yogurt?
There are several key things to look for when choosing yogurt for your kids. For a deeper dive into how a dietitian selects the healthiest yogurts for kids, see Dietitian Approved Yogurt Brands for Kids.
Protein-to-sugar ratio
Just like we reviewed in the dietitian-approved granola bars blog post, we want to follow the same rule regarding protein and sugar. We want the added sugars to be no more than 2x the amount of protein. For example, if the added sugars are 10g, the protein needs to be 5g or higher. This makes sure that the quick energy of sugar is balanced by the longer-lasting energy from the protein.
Full-fat
Contrary to what you might think, we want kid’s yogurt to be full-fat. Having sources of full-fat dairy helps kids to better absorb fat-soluble vitamins like vitamins A, D, E, and K. Also, full fat means that kids will stay fuller for longer – which is a great bonus in a snack.
Good source of calcium and vitamin D
Most yogurts are naturally a good source of calcium and some have vitamin D added, so we want to look for “10-20% daily needs” for calcium, and any added vitamin D we can get!
Calcium is not only good for bone health but is necessary for muscle and heart health as well. Vitamin D also supports healthy bones, as well as promotes a strong immune system.
What does Kourellas bring to the table?
Nutritionally Complete
This drinkable yogurt checks all the boxes for a high-quality yogurt!
Incredibly low sugar-to-protein ratio – ZERO grams of added sugar and 6 grams of protein!
Full of healthy fats – made from organic whole milk
Great source of calcium and vitamin D
Natural Flavor Variety
Despite having a ton of flavors to choose from, the sugar content remains low across the board. Each of the flavors are naturally sweetened with whole fruits like organic mandarins, strawberries, and blueberries.
The flavor options include:
- Vanilla
- Strawberry
- Apple
- Mandarin
- Blueberry
- Peach
Great Taste – Picky eater-approved
Although they are naturally sweetened, these drinkable yogurts are packed with flavor. And not too tart for our picky eaters!
An extensive range of flavors makes sure that there is an option for everyone. Also, having several flavors to rotate through can help prevent picky eating by giving our kids a variety rather than repetitive flavors.
Great Probiotic Yogurt For Kids
We know that probiotics are an essential piece of a child’s diet. They are the backbone of a healthy gut microbiome which helps with digestion, the immune system, and even brain health. But they don’t need a probiotic supplement to reap the benefits.
Yogurt is an incredible probiotic option for kids because of its sweet flavor. And Kourellas is no different! They use live and active cultures including probiotic strains like L.Bulgaricus, S.Thermophilus, lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidus, and L.Casei.
Portable High-quality nutrition
Finding healthy snacks for kids is hard enough. Let alone snacks that are portable and ready to go for those busy mornings!
The drinkable format of Kourellas makes it mess-free and easy to pack in the car, for a school lunch, or after a sports game.
Recipe Inspiration
These yogurts are great on their own as a snack or part of a meal. But getting creative with using it in different recipes can help prevent picky eating and boost the nutrition of other meals!
The Bottom Line
Unlike many kid’s yogurts on the market, Kourellas has both high quality nutrition and great flavor. Their list of premium ingredients includes live & active probiotic cultures, natural sweeteners, and, healthy fats which makes for a well-rounded, high protein snack option for kids.
If you want more probiotic-rich food options for kids, click here!
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