DANNON LIGHT + FIT YOGURT — FAR FROM HOMEMADE™

Information updated December 2023

I recently saw a television commercial for Dannon Light + Fit Yogurt >> in the commercial a woman is depicted taking actions designed to live a healthy life, including eating Danone’s Dannon Light + Fit Yogurt. So, let’s take a close look at this Dannon yogurt product which positions itself as a nutritious option.

Q: WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS IN HOMEMADE STRAWBERRY YOGURT? As our usual starting point, let's look at the ingredients we would use to make (in this case) strawberry yogurt at home from scratch; anything we would not use to make strawberry yogurt at home is designated as Not In Kitchen™.

DANONE’S DANNON LIGHT + FIT YOGURT CONTAINS 11 INGREDIENTS Not In Kitchen: Dannon Light + Fit Greek Strawberry yogurt contains Water plus numerous artificial ingredients which are Not In Kitchen when making strawberry yogurt >> Fructose, Modified Food Starch, Natural Flavors, Artificial Flavors, Carmine for color, Malic Acid, Sucralose, Potassium Sorbate and Acesulfame Potassium. (Source for ingredients: Dannon Lightandfit.com 12/23)

FIVE OF THE INGREDIENTS IN DANONE’S DANNON LIGHT + FIT GREEK YOGURT HAVE BEEN BANNED BY WHOLE FOODS MARKET: Artificial Flavors, Carmine (cochineal), Sucralose, Potassium Sorbate and Acesulfame Potassium have been banned by Whole Foods Market who cites them as "Unacceptable in food." (Source: Amazon Whole Foods Web site 12/23)

Q: Through a homemade filter, do you think the Dannon yogurt below is "Light + Fit"?

This Light + Fit yogurt contains artificial sweeteners as well as Fructose. According to Johns Hopkins, ". . . individuals should control our consumption of sugar and eat sugar in moderation, especially when it comes to specific types of sugar such as fructose, in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid serious damage to our bodies." (Source: The Johns Hopkins Medical News-Letter 2/21/17 sourced 12/23)

This Dannon product is Far From Homemade. Ingredients are always listed in descending order of amount; there is the most of the ingredient listed first and the least of the ingredient listed last.

Water is the second ingredient in Dannon's Light + Fit Original Greek Strawberry Yogurt.

Q: Do you add water to homemade yogurt?

YOGURT COMPARISON: Let's compare the Danone’s Dannon Light + Fit Greek Yogurt to one of the Closest To Homemade® brands >> Siggi's Touch of Honey Yogurt. (Source: Siggi's Web site 12/23)

Siggi's Touch of Honey whole milk yogurt below right contains no Added Starches, Gums, Flavors, Colors, Sugar, Water, Chemical Preservatives or Artificial Sweeteners. It is sweetened with Organic Honey.

Shown below, CLOSEST TO HOMEMADE FRUIT YOGURTS: Siggi’s 0% Non-Fat fruit yogurts with no Added Flavors and no Added Water, made with Cane Sugar, Fruit Pectin and contain 7 grams or less of added Cane Sugar.

Siggi’s 4% Whole Milk fruit yogurts with No Added Flavors, Sugar, Water or Artificial Sweeteners. These contain 5 grams of added Cane Sugar. (Source: Siggi’s Web site 12/23)

*Neither money nor products are ever accepted to appear on the Closest To Homemade list*

PLAIN YOGURT: If possible, choose organic grass-fed dairy which contains no added sweeteners.

CLOSEST TO HOMEMADE PLAIN YOGURTS Whole Milk and Nonfat: The Closest To Homemade Plain Yogurts shown below have no added Sweeteners, Flavors, Colors, Water, Gums or Chemical Preservatives. (Sources: Brand Web sites 12/23)

Consider adding your favorite spices or fresh herbs to fabulous plain yogurt. Add a bit of organic honey if you want more sweetness. Perhaps try some new additions like fresh grated coconut or cinnamon or freshly chopped dill and grated lemon zest.