When my daughter started eating solid foods (she is almost 6 1/2 now) I made an effort to feed her wholesome foods, making my own baby food (for both kids) and buying organic whenever I could. My husband and I started making a conscious effort to eat more “real food” and less processed, artificial foods, sweeteners and flavorings. Being a new mom, I was also struggling to lose the baby weight, and I ended up discovering that real food was much more satisfying than “diet” foods, and helped me get fit and feel great.
Previously, my yogurt of choice was a light yogurt with artificial sweeteners and flavors. When I started buying plain, whole milk yogurt for my daughter, I discovered how darn delicious and filling it was. A friend turned me on to Fage Greek Yogurt, and before I knew it, I couldn’t stomach the fake stuff anymore. I tried a while ago, and I actually gagged and had to throw the rest of the yucky stuff away!
A few months ago, I caught a sale on Fage, and I grabbed all kinds to sample (I’ve been buying the plain 2% for a few years now!) I consider it a bit of a treat since it’s rather pricey (I’ve seen it as low as $1.69-regular price, all the way up to $2.09 for a single cup.) A good sale is when they are 4/$5, or $1.25 each. Still rather spendy if you ask me! However, if you “like” the Fage Facebook page, they often have coupons that make it an absolute steal (as in 25 cents per cup when it’s on sale!)
Anyhoo, the yogurt comes in classic (whole milk, this is what we fed my son when he started eating solids/dairy), 2% and 0%/non-fat. I’ve tried other Greek yogurt; I’ve even made my own homemade yogurt, but none compares to Fage. Greek yogurt is yogurt with active cultures, which has had most of the whey removed, giving it a thick texture and slightly tart flavor. It takes 4 pounds of raw milk to make one pound of Fage Greek Yogurt!
The final product is thick and packed with protein.
Check your packages for the most up to date nutrition info, the information listed on Fage’s website varies slightly from what I have here (which is based on the packaging.) Sorry for the blurry photos!
- The whole milk version is a 7 ounce cup and contains 260 calories, 20 grams of fat and 14 grams of protein. I loved this for my son since he definitely needed the fat and calories, but it’s a bit much for me!
- The 2% version (my favorite!) is also a 7 ounce cup, and contains 130 calories, 4 grams of fat and 17 grams of protein.
- The non-fat version is a smaller package (6 oz) and contains 100 calories, 0 grams of fat and 18 grams of protein.
If you’re not into totally plain yogurt, they have 5.3 oz split cups with a smaller portion of yogurt, and a little bit of fruit in a tiny cup. They come in all 3 versions (whole, 2% and 0%) and come in cherry-pomegranate, blueberry acai, mango guanabana and strawberry goji (non-fat) strawberry, peach, cherry and blueberry (2% and whole), as well as a version with honey in the little cup. I haven’t tried the honey version (makes more sense to get more yogurt for the same price and add my own honey, since I eat these at home instead of “on the go”), but I’ve tried most of the others. I’m not actually a huge fan of fruit in yogurt, something about the texture bugs me (especially if there are seeds, yecccchhhhh…) but I like the peach, and my daughter likes them all! I try to hide them but she always finds them. 🙂
Of course, the split cups don’t pack quite the same nutrient punch as the plain versions, but they still put “regular” yogurts to shame. Again, nutritional info I list here is based on the packages I have (sorry again for the blur.) Double check on your packaging since my info is slightly different than Fage’s website. Each flavor varies a bit in sugar content etc. but calorie, fat and protein content is largely the same.
- The whole milk fruit cups contain about 210 calories, 12 grams of fat and 8 grams of protein.
- The 2% fruit cups contain about 130 calories, 2.5 grams of fat and 10 grams of protein.
- The non-fat fruit cups contain about 120 calories, 0 grams of fat and 11 grams of protein.
The versions with honey of course have higher stats.
If someone who was used to processed, artificial foods tried this, I’m not sure they’d like it plain. If you already enjoy whole, natural foods, you may love it! If you’re somewhere in between, the versions with fruit are perfect.
You could dip your spoon in the fruit, or flip it over and squeeze it on top. The package says not to stir, but my disobedient daughter stirs hers anyway. 😉
My absolute favorite (as in I savor it and practically lick the cup) is the 2% Fage with a drizzle of light agave nectar on top. Ohhhh my…so good. The protein keeps you full, and it makes a fantastic snack!
I love Fage and I hope you will grab some if you see it at your store. Just save some for me!
FTC compliance: I paid normal retail prices for all pictured/mentioned products. I was not asked to write this post, I was not compensated for writing it, and all opinions are my own.
I used to buy the one with 20 grams of fat for my 1st daughter. Now that my 2nd daughter is 9 months, I can’t find the 20 grams of fat one! 🙁 I can only find the 10 grams of fat container at my local Reasors.
You should give the 2% 5.3 ounce with honey a try! I don’t know what kind of honey they use, but it is absultely delicious with this yogurt. I’m hooked! I’ve tried other honeys with the yogurt but whatever type they use is by far the best.
Ooh I wonder what they use!
I usually try and pack some fage with honey into my nephews’ lunchboxes sunday night since they leave from my house to school. On a test-run with fage total, they only ate about a third of it (I happily finished the rest) but absolutely devoured the fage with honey! Looks like we have a winner….
I LOVE Greek yoghurt. I have not tried Fage, and I don’t think I will. I’ve tried Chobani, Dannon, and Trader Joes. Trader Joes is by far the best in my mind. I don’t even add any sweetener to their plain yoghurt (I actually like their plain yoghurt the best). I like it because it’s tangy, but not too tangy, and creamy, and oh so delicious. My daughter loves it as well. My husband, not so much.
I wish we had a Trader Joes! I have a whole foods about an hour drive away (if there’s no traffic) but no TJ!
Thanks for the review. I’ve been wanting to try this yogurt out. The next time I get a coupon I’m going to buy some!
I’m not a fan of plain yogurt, but I might try the split cups. Thanks for sharing.
definitely a great yogurt – what a thorough review!
Totally off topic but… for FTC compliance, do we have to say when we DON’T get paid or compensated for products? or only when we DO? I never put anything on posts where I talk about products that I personally bought or received as gifts from family. Hmm… should I?
Y’know, I’m just not sure, so I always go ahead and disclose that it was NOT paid, just to cover my hiney. 🙂
Fage is probably my favorite. I only buy the fat free plain one and haven’t missed a thing. We sweeten it with some honey and it’s perfect. I’ve only recently bought some agave nectar so I will have to try that as well.
Another great use is making frozen yogurt with the fat free version! We have a great strawberry froyo recipe and you can’t beat it! A dessert loaded with protein, that’s fat free! All you have are the sugars from the fruit and the little extra from cooking it down. Mmm… thanks for the tip on their fb page. 🙂
Oh YUM! It makes a great sour cream or mayo sub too (totally forgot to put that in my review!!) Care to share your recipe? 🙂
I need to start eating real yogurt..
I love Greek yogurt. Haven’t tried Fage yet but I’ll have to give it a try.
I LOVE Fage!! I love Greek Yogurts in general, but Fage is the best. It is definitely cheaper at Target than grocery stores.