All Yogurt Is Not Created Equal!

So, I've been making my kiddos smoothies for quite some time.  They really like yogurt, and making a smoothie variation seems like the best way to get a whole lotta' goodness down them, at once.  I'm always playing with the ingredient list, trying to add more wholesome things without altering the taste...  

Awhile back, I discovered Greek Gods Vanilla Honey Yogurt.  Perfect, I thought - live and active cultures, and it's advertised as being sweetened naturally.  I figured I was saving myself a step here, then, as I wouldn't need to add honey separately, then.  

Here can be found, the ingredient list, as listed on Greek Gods' webpage, for their Greek Vanilla Honey Yogurt:  http://greekgodsyogurt.com/html/yvanillahoney.php.  Take a look.  It lists ingredients as: Pasteurized Grade A Milk, Cream, Pectin, Honey, & Vanilla, and active cultures. You'll see that, per 1 cup servings, listed sugar is 5g and protein 11gm.   Hmmm.... What?? That's not what I remember being surprised to see on the back of the exact same container I have in my fridge!?  

Sure enough, I grabbed mine, and here is what I see, for the very same container size of Vanilla Honey:

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That's right.  Ingredients:  Cultured Pasteurized Grade A Milk, SUGAR, honey POWDER (huh?), Vanilla EXTRACT, Whey, & Pectin.  Huh?!  Also, listed sugar content for that same 1 cup serving, is 32g, and protein 8g!  I'm not marketing magician, but it seems someone here, is!  I definitely didn't plan to give my kids 32 grams of sugar in every smoothie!!  

So I made a switch.  After reading many labels, I have confirmed that anything that is not plain, and unflavored, most likely has something artificial, added.  Now I am using a plain greek yogurt (Greek yogurt has TWICE the protein as plain yogurt!), and adding just fruit and honey.  It. Is. Delicious.  Even the finicky, texture-sensitive baby of the family says so :)  And the only ingredients listed on the yogurt, are: milk, cream, and live and active cultures: the way it should be.  Oh, and protein content is a whopping 22g per 1 cup serving!  Amazing how much good stuff is left in a product when it isn't diluted with crap.... ;)

Gressa's Raspberry Honey Smoothie

1 c. plain, unflavored greek yogurt

1 to 1 1/2 c. raspberries, fresh or frozen

1/4 c. organic skim milk

raw honey, to taste (about 2 Tbsp)

Mix all in blender/food processor and enjoy!

Ava's Blueberry Vanilla Honey Smoothie

1 c. plain, unflavored greek yogurt

1 to 1 1/2 c. blueberries, fresh or frozen

1/4c. unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or sub organic skim milk) 

raw honey, to taste (about 2 Tbsp)

1 Tbsp milled flaxseed

1 Tbsp vanilla protein powder

Mix all in blender/food processor and enjoy!

In the picture above, I had been experimenting a little.  I blended a small amount of yogurt with some raspberries and honey, and then mixed it into a large amount of plain greek yogurt.  I stored in fridge for great alternative to sweetened/flavored yogurt on the market :)  Of course, another option is to make your own yogurt... I, personally, haven't taken that plunge yet, but I know that there are those who have.

Folks, read your labels.  Every time!