Fro Yo Swirled Frozen Yoghurt is the Latest Popular Dessert

I heard the term fro yo- frozen yoghurt- a few years ago when a nephew took me out for a treat. Since then, fro yo has caught on so well that there are now so many companies which produce and market the treat as an alternative to ice cream.

Fro yo- yoghurt which is flavoured and then frozen- is lighter than ice cream and often has a tangy flavour. It is lower in sugar and fat and therefore touted as being a healthy dessert which can be enjoyed by adults, children and even babies. Even those who cannot tolerate milk can often have a small amount. However, remember that yoghurt contains lactose, a protein in milk that is difficult to digest if a child has lactose intolerance. Symptoms include stomach pain, gas, nausea, cramps, bloating or diarrhoea.

Yoghurt offers several health benefits, including protein and probiotics, but may not be a good choice for all children. If your child has health problems, talk with the doctor about whether yogurt is a healthy option to include in the diet. For some kids, a moderate amount of yogurt may be suitable, while other children may need to avoid it completely.

You also need to be aware that some yoghurt is loaded with sugar and fats, so be careful. A container of yogurt can contain up to 26 grams of sugar, making it easy to exceed daily intake recommendations. If your child really enjoys yogurt, look for one that is geared for kids, some of which are lower in sugar. Reading labels is the best way to find a yogurt that aligns with your child's health goals.

It is hard to get kids to stich with a healthy diet in these days of fast food and unhealthy snacks. When faced with the choice between a healthy piece of fruit or an ice cream cone, it must indeed be a very special child who will choose the former. This is leading to many health problems for the young people of today with obesity and diabetes on the increase and this in turn leading to further problems such as heart disease.

When you are looking for healthy yoghurt, frozen or not, choose a non-fat yoghurt, which contains no fat, but still includes all the nutrients that make yogurt a healthy food. It is also recommended choosing a yogurt that contains 15 to 20 calories per ounce, or 90 to 120 calories for a 6-ounce container.

The thing to be careful with is that although fro yo has very little or no fat, it is easy to make the mistake of adding so many extra calories with the topping that you select. Fro yo swirled frozen yoghurt is the new favourite dessert in my family but I have to ensure that when it is served there are no toppings such as heavy syrups and sauces. These add calories as do nuts, dry fruit and other toppings, even fruit if it is too heavy such as bananas.