Meal Pattern Minute: Sugar Limits in Yogurt
September 8, 2023
As you may already know, yogurt is creditable as a meat/meat alternate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program. However, you might wonder if there are regulations on which types of yogurts can be credited towards the CACFP. What information do CACFP providers need to know before purchasing yogurt?
It only takes a minute to find out! Tune into this Meal Pattern Minute where Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LD, discusses what you need to know when serving yogurt in the CACFP.
As mentioned in the video, there is a free resource, “Is Your Yogurt CACFP Creditable?”, on the National CACFP Sponsors Association website to help you determine if a yogurt is creditable based on two factors: how much you are serving and the amount of total sugar per serving. Just follow the instructions and chart to get your answer if your yogurt is creditable!
Other resources you can use to help you determine if your yogurt is creditable are listed below.
- Worksheet: Calculating Sugar Limits in Yogurt in the CACFP/Choose Yogurts That Are Lower in Sugar
- Free USDA Webinar: Choose Yogurts That Are Lower in Added Sugars
Always refer to the Crediting Handbook for the CACFP to help you determine if a yogurt is creditable. This tool will provide you with additional information to explain why a food may or may not be creditable. For example, if searching for yogurt that is bought commercially and is plain, unflavored, flavored and/or sweetened, you can find the answer in this handbook. See what additional information this resource provided below when searching for this type of yogurt.
A ½ cup or 4 oz serving provides 1 oz eq meat alternate. Must contain no more than 23 g of total sugars per 6 oz. See the Meats/Meat Alternates section in the Food Buying Guide for additional crediting information. Homemade yogurt is not creditable. There are potential safety concerns with homemade yogurt.
Need Recipe Ideas?
Yogurt is a versatile ingredient that can be eaten alone, as a parfait, a dip, or even as a sauce! Try one of these recipes in your next menu cycle.
- Baked Carrot Fries with Yogurt-Sunflower Seed Butter
- Turkey Burger with Tzatziki Sauce
- Teddy Bear Smoothie
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