We’ve been feeding my ten month old granddaughter Gerber Yogurt Melts freeze-dried yogurt and fruit snacks as a healthy treat. After buying these snacks for the past two months, I decided to give the Parent’s Choice version, sold at Walmart stores, a try.
Both the Gerber Graduates Yogurt Melts and the Parent’s Choice Yogurt Bites come in one ounce foil lined, resealable packages. Both products I purchased have the mixed berry flavor, and both are for children who are beginning to self feed. The front of the Parent’s Choice package reads “Compare to Gerber “, with the disclaimer that Parent’s Choice Yogurt Bites are not made by or affiliated with Nestle, the makers of Gerber.
My decision to try the Parent’s Choice Yogurt Bites stemmed from the fact that they were more than a dollar cheaper. However, in an effort to give you a fair and honest comparison, here is what I learned while comparing the two.
Gerber Graduates Yogurt Melts
These claim to be for babies who are crawlers, they contain 99% real yogurt and fruit, they contain live and active cultures, and they contain “Nutri Protect” vitamins A, C and E. Furthermore, they are made with no preservatives, artificial flavors or artificial sweeteners. One serving of Gerber Graduates Yogurt Melts is equal to one fourth cup and contains 15% vitamin A for infants 0-1 and 10% for children 1-4. A serving also provides 4%/6% protein, 6%/4% calcium, 20%/10% vitamin E and zero iron.
As of this writing, one serving contains 30 calories, 0 grams of fat, 20 milligrams of sodium, 50 milligrams of potassium, 5 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of dietary fiber, 4 grams of sugars and 1 gram of protein.
Ingredients in my package of Gerber Graduates Yogurt Melts are cultured reduced fat milk, sugar, blackberry and raspberry purees, nonfat dry milk, tapioca starch, gelatin, lactic acid esters of mono and diglycerides, fruit and vegetable juice colors, sodium ascorbate (vitamin C), cherry and raspberry juice concentrates, alpha tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), vitamin A acetate, naural mixed berry flavor.
Parent’s Choice Yogurt Bites
This product is for children who are beginning to self feed, they are made with real fruit and yogurt (the package does not state the percentage), and they are made without the addition of artificial flavors, artificial colors or preservatives.
Although it is not noted on the front of the package, the Parent’s Choice Yogurt Bites do contain 6% calcium and 6% protein (with no age listed). They do not contain any vitamin C, iron, vitamin E, or vitamin A.
As of this writing, one serving contains 30 calories, 0 grams of fat, 15 milligrams of sodium, 20 milligrams of potassium, 5 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of dietary fiber, 4 grams of sugars and 1 gram of protein.
Ingredients in my package of Parent’s Choice Yogurt Bites are cultured reduced fat milk, sugar, nonfact dry milk, tapioca starch, blackberry puree, less than 2%; raspberry puree, natural flavor, gelatin, vegetable juice color.
To Conclude
If you are a parent or caregiver on a tight budget, I would recommend the Gerber brand. It contains more vitamins and seems to contain more real fruit as well. I called Gerber and asked the company representative how much fruit the Gerber Graduates Yogurt Melts contained, but she did not have that information at her disposal. Having said that, the ingredients list on the Gerber product seems to indicate it contains more real fruit because blackbery and raspberry puree are listed as the third and fourth ingredients.
The Parent’s Choice ingredient list has blackberry and raspberry puree as the fifth and sixth ingredients, with nonfat dry milk and tapioca listed prior. If you are looking for a snack for your baby that contains more real fruit puree and vitamins A, C and E, the Gerber may be the choice for you. If your baby is getting an adequate amount of vitamins from other sources and you are simply serving these as a treat, I would recommend the less expensive Parent’s Choice brand.