The yogurt dilemma
Sunday, September 27, 2009 at 10:06PM 
If you are like me, there is not much that produces more anxiety than a trip to the yogurt section of the grocery store. As I stand in front of the display, my mind is aflutter with those buzzwords of modern shopping: organic, green, low-sugar, low-fat, natural, budget-wise. For me, the refrigerator section is a black hole of parenting hopes. I have been buying yogurt for my son for over four years and have never found a single tub of yogurt that left me with the taste of success. Sometime I feel like giving up altogether and filling up the cart from cup-o-puddin’ display instead.
Dairy is one of the areas where I am committed to spending the extra money for organic products. But take a peek at the sugar content of the flavored organic brands and you will debate letting your child suck on a couple of lollipops instead. Yoplait makes a lower sugar kids yogurt but it is not organic and not easy on the wallet. Try anything cheaper than these two options and you are entering the realm of artificial colorings, high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, and artificial flavoring.
My search to eliminate the instant from our kitchen and diet has lead me to a solution the Yogurt Problem. The idea came from my friend Heather who was sweetening servings of plain yogurt with honey and cinnamon for her toddler. To save time, I buy the big tub of plain organic yogurt and it takes just a quick minute to transform it into yogurt that is sweet enough for WJ but that I can also feel good about. Buying the big tubs means we use less plastic and spend less money. Mixing it at home means I am in control of the additives.
WJ’s favorite is in keeping with Heather’s idea. I dump a quart of plain organic yogurt into a large bowl and sprinkle it with about 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. Then I stir in about a teaspoon of vanilla extract and a tablespoon or two of honey or agave. It really does not take a lot to sweeten yogurt—there is a natural sweetness from the lactose. Vanilla and cinnamon both have a sweet quality as well but don't add any extra sugar. WJ won’t tolerate plain yogurt; it is a little too tart. But a hint of added sweetness makes it enjoyably tangy.
It would be easy to mix in a fruit compote or even some all-fruit preserves. Applesauce would work, as would mashed bananas or even some baby food pears.
Tonight I “cooked” a tub for myself too. I mixed a 16-ounce container of organic Greek yogurt with a tablespoon or so of maple syrup and a couple of tablespoons of walnut pieces. I am planning on adding a dollop or two on my oatmeal in the morning.
Two recipes, one bowl, a few minutes, and my fridge is stocked with yogurt for the week. Finally, I will be able to stand up to the yogurt display and balk at its bullying.
What food choices intimidate you most?
Reader Comments (18)
Yogurt is definitely one of them. I've been thinking about making my own since our household favorite, while additive free, costs nearly $2 a cup. I just haven't worked up the nerve to attempt it yet.
Great advice! The entire concept of yogurt being healthy kills me for the very reasons you mentioned, but the plastic abuse really upsets me...as with bottled water! I was at Trader Joe's the other day, and they have individual serving size Greek yogurt with honey in a separate compartment...REALLY?! AND, it was nearly $2 a serving!
I'm lucky...my kids have loved yogurt since their first taste. One plain and the other strawberry: I was in a pinch once and added food coloring to plain to make it look like strawberry, and she loved it! Now they both eat plain with a little honey...I have access to honey from my parent's farm, so that's my sweetner of choice.
Saw you on Twitter- yes, yogurt stresses me out! My son hasn't eaten it for months, sadly, but even for my husband and I, I hate all the sugar but don't want the nutrasweet either. Thank you, these ideas look great!
I love your combos. Because I eat so much yogurt, I quickly learned that the big container was the best choice for me. Did you know that Whole Foods sells their brand of yogurt at cost? Also, Have you considered making your own? I use a yogurt maker but I've also made it in a mason jar wrapped in a towel on top of my gas stove (the warm spot above the pilot light). The taste is not as "sour" because it's fresher. Also, you can strain it for a more "greek" texture.
My biggest supermarket intimidation is not food but cat litter. I hate using the clay for kitty health and environmental reasons, but the biodegradable ones don't have great odor control and get a little sticky.
This is pretty much what I do, as well. I buy a big tub of plain, organic yogurt and sweeten it with a little agave nectar. I love mine mixed with granola...yummers!
Good idea!
That's a great idea! I am floored when I see how much sugar is in yogurt, and my daughter loves it. Great suggestions - thanks!
I do exactly the same. My boys are used to it now with just a dab of honey stirred in, sometimes maple syrup. my personal fave is with a dab of honey, a few fresh berries or slices of peach, and a sprinkling of crunchy cereal or granola. mmmmm.
Emily-I had no idea you were talking about me, but now that i read the post, I love it!!! yes, we still eat yogurt this way and we all love it! and her ein TX they have a really cheap tub of organic plain yogurt--Mountainside something?? Enjoy!
Love you and miss you!!
Thanks everyone! Sometimes I just feel beat up by the manufacturers and stores.... we are just trying to feed our kids and ourselves!
I might look into making yogurt, especially since you say the taste is a little different, Melissa.
And Heather... thanks or letting me share your idea without asking you first! We miss you too!
Ha! I feel this way when I stand in the toothpaste aisle. I mean, not because of worrying about additives etc, just overwhelmed by the sheer volume of choices. I mean, how many different options for brushing our teeth do we really need? All those flavors and whitening options totally paralyze me. I haven't bought toothpaste for myself since we lived in the former Soviet Union. My husband just comes home with some and I use it. No questions asked. Random, I know. But your yogurt picture brought it all back!
You know, it is so funny that you say that because I was thinking it was all about the yogurt and then had the same mini panic attack in front of the canned tomatoes today. Organic or low-sodium? Diced or whole? Or petite cut? Or crushed? With puree or not? Basil or not? Seriously considering hiring someone to shop for me.
Yogurt vexes me, too. I don't love it, but my daughter does. She really loves when we put the tube yogurts in the freezer, but (like you said), they have SO MUCH sugar in them. This is a great solution. I'll have to share it with my husband. :)
Hi, Emily.
Found you on Twitter and stopping in.
This is what I do, as well. Yogurt has always been my nemesis. I did finally determine that the organic, plain yogurt was the healthiest for the kids.
To make it tasty, I stir in what you mention and also use stevia (natural herb sweetener). We really like smoothies. Here's a recipe that I came up with. Everyone loved it.
http://www.writingmomof3.com/2009/02/yummy-yummy.html
The powder I mention is a fiber powder from Melaleuca (health and wellness company); you could definitely omit. I like the almond milk, as it gives it a little different taste, but you could omit or use skim milk. The frozen fruits give it a slushy consistency. This smoothie is packed with fiber, protein, vitamins. Love it!
Cereal makes me go crazy! We get so many great cereal coupons and deals making the junkiest stuff free (a lot of the time) and it's so hard to pass it by. But it's so bad! really! And the "healthy" ones are loaded with sugar and additives too. It makes me want to scream. I hate that aisle. I hate when there's a sale.
Nutso, I know. I've always bought the dannon all natural fat-free. It's not organic but the only ingredients are skim milk, lacto baccillus and one other thing I can't remember but wasn't bad. :)
Good luck in the dairy case. If you ever run into me in the cereal aisle, drag me back out. :) lol
I am contemplating making my own yogurt. Have you ever tried this? I never thought of adding nuts. That would increase the protein and fiber content! Great idea!
We love Yogurt! But, haven't always. My 16month old wouldn't eat it until we found the organic YoBaby from Stonyfield. Not tart or tangy. Just yummy.
Thanks for the tips are making our own at home. Great ideas!
Found you through the BBA and love the concept of your blog! I have this same dilemma in the yogurt aisle, and I did a ton of research this past summer about making my own yogurt. However, as a fellow teacher, once the school year started . . . there never seemed to be enough time to actually try it. LOVE your idea of doctoring a carton of plain organic! Seems like a great compromise!