Best Yogurts for Toddlers Ages 1 to 4
Yogurt is a fantastic choice for babies and toddlers at meals or snack time. It’s full of nutrients that help little ones grow and develop, including protein, fat, calcium, and probiotics.
But the number of yogurt options available at the grocery store can be overwhelming, and many contain excessive amounts of added sugars and/or artificial sweeteners.
In this article, we’ll cover the best yogurts for toddlers, tips for feeding yogurt to toddlers, and toddler-friendly recipes that use yogurt.
What are the benefits of yogurt for toddlers?
Yogurt is a great source of many nutrients that toddlers need. It offers protein, calcium, vitamin D, and the B vitamins, all of which are essential nutrients for growth and development.
Toddlers ages 1 to 3 need 700 mg of calcium a day to support their growing bones. 1 cup of plain whole milk yogurt typically provides about 300 mg of calcium, making it an excellent choice to help little ones meet that calcium requirement.
Vitamin D also helps to absorb the calcium found in dairy. Without these two crucial nutrients, the bones may not develop correctly. Yogurt and other milk products that are not fortified typically contain relatively low levels of Vitamin D naturally, so look for yogurt that’s been fortified. Some of the larger national brands that fortify their yogurts include Stonyfield Farms Organic (including the baby and toddler varieties) and Yoplait. It’s a good idea to always double-check the nutrition label, however, since some brands fortify some varieties of yogurt and not others.
Whole milk yogurt, sometimes called 4% yogurt, is also a great source of fat, which is necessary for brain development. And if the yogurt contains live, active cultures, it also provides probiotics, which can benefit gastrointestinal health.
Finally, yogurt is often readily accepted by kids. It’s also versatile in a number of recipes, making it easy to incorporate into a child’s diet.
20 month-old fab fellow enjoying his yogurt! Big thanks to his parents for allowing me permission to share.
What is the best yogurt for toddlers?
The best yogurts for toddlers tend to be the best yogurts for babies too: plain whole milk yogurts with no sugar added.
While all yogurt contains a naturally occurring sugar called lactose, many yogurts you’ll find in the yogurt aisle contain a lot of added sugars. For example, a typical 6-ounce fruit yogurt has a whopping 13 grams of added sugar, and even smaller 4-ounce cups aimed at children can pack in upwards of 10 grams of added sugar.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, AAP, AHA, and CDC all recommend that added sugars be avoided for children under 24 months of age. The Dietary Guidelines also recommend that added sugars should make up less than 10% of total calories for those 2 years and older. While this is a general guideline rather than a hard and fast rule, it’s best to serve plain yogurt rather than sweetened or flavored yogurts and sweeten it with fruit purees or change up the flavor by swirling in some nut butter, chopped fruit, cereal or another favorite mix-in. (For more on added sugar, check out my blog post on why added sugars aren’t recommended for children under 2).
Whole milk (or “full-fat”) yogurt, rather than low-fat or fat-free yogurts, also provides the fat needed for healthy cognitive and brain development. This fat also helps toddlers absorb more fat-soluble vitamins, like vitamins A and D.
If you’re concerned about saturated fat content in whole milk products, the good news is that recent research suggests that saturated fat in full-fat dairy may not be linked to cardiovascular disease, and that consumption of whole milk in children is not associated with higher risk of obesity.
TOP TIP Finally, opt for yogurts with the “live and active cultures” (LAC) seal on its label. While all yogurt is made by fermenting pasteurized milk with bacteria, some yogurts are heat-treated after fermentation, which kills this beneficial bacteria (also known as probiotics). The LAC seal identifies those yogurts that still have active cultures present, which in turn help support gut health and immune function.
Cow’s milk vs. plant-based yogurt
Fun toddler plate with soy yogurt, strawberries and Cheerios
According to the CDC, babies shouldn’t be given cow’s milk as a beverage until they’re 12 months old, but yogurt and cheese are okay starting at about 6 months for babies who are eating solid foods, and these foods continue to provide a great source of nutrition through the toddler years. The USDA’s MyPlate recommends 1 ⅔ cups of dairy for 1 to 2-year-olds and 2 to 2 ½ cups of dairy for toddlers 2 to 3 years old daily. Cow’s milk yogurt can help meet this recommendation.
If your little one can’t eat dairy or has a milk allergy, there are now many plant-based yogurt options available at the store. Just be aware that plant-based yogurts don’t contain the same nutrients as cow’s milk yogurts. Most plant-based yogurts are lower in fat, protein than cow’s milk yogurt, so look for fortified plant-based options - especially those fortified with Vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium. And of course, choose options for babies that don’t contain added sugars.
Can I serve my toddler Greek yogurt?
Greek yogurt is a popular choice given its high protein content and extra-thick texture, and it’s a great option for toddlers. Like regular yogurt, opt for plain, whole milk varieties.
Keep in mind, though, that because it’s strained, Greek yogurt has a slightly lower calcium content than regular yogurt.
Another consideration is that manufacturers typically start with milk that isn’t fortified and don’t add any synthetic Vitamin D in the process, so most Greek yogurts are not fortified with vitamin D.
Finally, some little ones may not like the different texture and more tangy flavor, so try a small amount first and see what your child prefers. Make it a fruit flavored Greek yogurt by stirring in your child’s favorite pureed fruit.
Comparing Yogurt Varieties (all nutrition facts are based on a 1-cup serving)
How to serve yogurt to toddlers
Cute toddler getting messy with some yogurt! Thank you to his parents for sharing.
Eating yogurt can be messy – and that’s okay! If your toddler is learning to use a spoon, eating yogurt is a great way for them to practice. Greek yogurt can be a bit more manageable, as the thicker texture stays on the spoon more easily.
Yogurt pouches are also a great, mess-free way to give your toddler yogurt when you’re on-the-go; just make sure to look for brands that have no added sugar and try not to serve pouches more than once a day, as the suck-to-swallow motion kids use to draw from a pouch doesn’t advance their chewing and eating skills.
Easy mix-ins for yogurt
Flavor plain yogurt while also boosting the fiber and protein content with the following additions:
Chopped or sliced fresh fruit
Cinnamon or other warming spices
Ground nuts, seeds, and drizzles of nut or seed butter, if your little one doesn’t have an allergy.
Chia seeds, hemp seeds, or flax meal
Pureed pumpkin, sweet potato, or butternut squash
How can I use yogurt in recipes?
Blend into a smoothie with fruits, veggies, nut butters, and any other add-ins
Use yogurt in place of sour cream or mayo in dressings, sauces, and dips
Bake muffins, breads, and cakes with yogurt, such as these pumpkin molasses muffins
Combine yogurt, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and a dash of lemon juice for a tasty yogurt dip to serve with sliced fruit
Use as an alternative to sour cream as a topping on baked potatoes, chili, or quesadillas
What’s your toddler’s favorite way to eat yogurt? Let me know in the comments below.
For more tips on feeding kids, grab my FREE guide to reducing picky eating, and if you are looking for help navigating picky eating behaviors in your toddlers, preschoolers, and school age kiddos, check out my online course, Solve Picky Eating, a self-paced set of 12 modules that are delivered quickly in 5-15 minute videos.
And if you're looking for personalized nutrition support for yourself, your babies and/or your kids, I am currently accepting new clients in my virtual private practice. Looking forward to meeting you online…
Big thanks to dietetic intern, Eva Lewandowski for her contributions to this blog post!
