Dairy-Free Yoghurt For Babies

Let's talk dairy-free yoghurts.

Off the back of the article we recently posted on the best yoghurt pouches we have been asked “what about dairy free options?"

We know that many bubs and toddlers suffer from CMPA (Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy) and it can be tricky to know what options are suitable.

Even if a dairy free yoghurt looks similar, are they nutritionally the same? 

So, what is on offer?

When it comes to dairy free pouches there aren’t many on the market. In fact, as this is written there is currently only one we have found at major supermarkets:

Cocobella Coconut Yoghurt Pouches (often found at Woolies)

Yep - that is it. There have been a couple of others that have come and gone in the last few years, including a soy yoghurt, but sadly they didn’t last. 

Pros The Cocobella pouch has calcium added with 75mg per 100g which is less than the 125mg we would recommend, but you take what you can get when dairy free! (FYI the recipe of these pouches was updated in 2023 and previously had 113g calcium per 100g so now even less!)  Sadly when the pouches were updated in 2023 they also added sugar. So we can no longer call these sugar free! They are however, low sugar with 4.5g per 100g.  It has live cultures.  With the 2023 updates it no longer meets most of the criteria we would look for in a cow's milk yoghurt pouch but this is the only option currently for dairy free kids.

How about other tub options? 

Okay, now there are more options for you (thankfully!). 

For dairy free kids that can have soy, then a soy yoghurt is going to be our best bet. We recommend the Vitasoy Greek Style Yoghurt. 

	Vitasoy Greek Style Yoghurt Pros: Good amount of protein (6.7g per 100g) Not low fat Has live cultures  Good amount of calcium (120mg per 100g) Also fortified with Vitamin D and B12 Cons: Has some added sugar (2g per 100g, but this is low). The other flavours in this range have about 6.5g of sugar per 100g, so not as good.
	King Island Greek Style Dairy-Free Yoghurt Pros: Good amount of protein (4.8g per 100g) Source of calcium (100mg per 100g. Not the 125mg we are aiming for but better than many coconut yoghurts that have zero). Live Cultures  Not low fat  Cons: Very small amount of added sugar (1.7g per 100g). The other flavours in this range are closer to 10g so better to avoid.

For Dairy and Soy Free Bubs

Most options on the market are coconut-based yoghurt. Often you hear about the high saturated fat content but compared to a full fat Greek yoghurt the overall fat and saturated fat is often very similar.

However, most dairy free yoghurts are low in protein and have no calcium and some also have added sugar. 

This means they aren’t a direct swap nutritionally to a cow’s milk yoghurt. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t offer them you to bub, but use them less and as part of a snack, not as the snack. Pairing these yoghurts with a protein food and looking at other calcium rich options over the day is also a good idea. 

We are excited that there are now two brands of oat yoghurt on the market with added calcium in there too! One even has some added protein.

	Chobani Oat Yoghurt Pros:  Has added calcium (63mg per 100g) this is lower than we would like. We recommend 125mg/100g minimum but also one of the few dairy and soy free options that has any!  Isn’t low fat or as high in saturated fat as coconut yoghurts (about 1/3 of the amount) Has a small amount of fibre in it  Live cultures  Cons: Not gluten free if you need a wheat free option  Minimal protein 0.9g per 100g Added sugar (about 7g per 100g in all flavours)
	Wise Bunny Almond Yoghurt Pros: Isn’t low fat  Has live cultures  Cons: Low protein but more than oat/coconut yoghurts (2.4g per 100g)  No calcium  Added sugar (5g per 100g for plain and 8g for flavoured)
	Nakula Coconut Yoghurt  Pros: Live cultures  Isn’t low fat  Cons: Has added sugar (3.4g per 100g) Very low protein (less than 1g per 100g) No calcium
	Coyo Vanilla Bean Coconut Yoghurt  Pros NO ADDED SUGAR!  Live cultures  Cons Low protein with 1.3g per 100g No added calcium  Avoid the honey flavour (unsafe before 1 but also added sugar)
	Woolworths Plantitude - Dairy Free Coconut Yoghurt  Pros NO ADDED SUGAR! It isn’t low fat  Cons No added calcium Minimal protein (0.9g per 100g)  Avoid the fruit flavours as they have added sugar
	Cocobella Dairy Free Coconut Yoghurt  Pros:  Not low fat  Cons: Has added sugar (5.5g sugar per 100g) No added calcium (which is very disappointing when the pouches do!) Low protein (0.8g per 100g)
	Vitasoy Oat Yoghurt  A new one to the market in 2023-we are fans because unlike many other dairy/soy free options it has a good amount of added protein (from pea protein) and more added calcium that the others! Pros:  Calcium- it has 120mg per 100g Protein - has 3.8g per 100g Live cultures Cons: Technically low fat at 3.1g per 100g but it is only just under and you can easily add in fats else where over the day or by adding in nut butter to this tub. Added sugar (considered moderate sugar product as it is between 5-10g per 100g) Not gluten free if you need a GF option
	Coles Dairy Free Coconut Yoghurt  Pros:  Not low fat  No added sugar (the vanilla version has 2.4g per 100g so lower than some others but worth knowing) Cons: No added calcium Low protein (0.9g per 100g)

Okay…so which is best?

If your little one is dairy free and can have soy, then the Vitasoy Greek Style Yoghurt is the best option although the Kingland is also good. Both have a small amount of added sugar but do well in terms of protein, fat, live cultures and have that all important calcium.  

If they can’t have soy, then:

• Cocobella pouches if you can find them! They do have some added sugar but also some added calcium. A good option if you really want a pouch for on the go. 
• But ideally try to avoid anything that has added sugar. However, if you are really trying to get more calcium in, then it is totally fine not to worry about the sugar in the Chobani or Vitasoy oat because it has some added calcium. 
• Unlike sugar, which we can’t take out, we can add protein in. Picking a coconut yoghurt without sugar and adding in protein is great. Think about adding nuts (butter or ground) or a sprinkle of seeds. Hemps seeds are a great addition with more protein per gram than most meat. 
• Calcium- focus on other calcium rich foods over the day. A fortified plant milk like oat with at least 120mg per 100ml of calcium is great. Very few have 125mg/100ml which would make it a "good source of calcium". Adding in seeds, nuts and fish with bones (like salmon and sardines) to meals. Cereals with added calcium like little kids weetbix and cheerios low sugar are also helpful. Also, another favourite is unhulled Tahini which has 172mg per tablespoon- more than what’s in ½ a cup of milk. 
• Of course, if you are worried about your little one’s calcium intake book in for a consult so their diet can be thoroughly reviewed- some dairy and soy free kid’s may need a supplement.

Have you seen any other yoghurts that deserve to be on this list? If so, let us know and leave a comment below.