The Short Answer
Danimals gets a caution rating due to its high sugar content and low nutritional value. While the brand heavily markets itself as a healthy dairy snack for kids, it is essentially watered-down milk sweetened with cane sugar.
A single 3.1-ounce Danimals smoothie contains 6 grams of added sugar and zero actual fruit. If you're looking for a nutrient-dense snack, you are better off checking out the Healthiest Kids Yogurt options instead.
Why This Matters
Danimals is formulated to taste like dessert, which conditions kids to expect extreme sweetness from everyday foods. That 6 grams of added sugar is packed into just three fluid ounces, making it highly concentrated. If your child drinks two of these, they've almost hit their daily sugar limit. Sugar In Kids Yogurt
The lack of protein is a recipe for a mid-morning blood sugar crash. With only 2 grams of protein per bottle, Danimals fails to provide the slow-burning energy growing kids need. Without healthy fats or protein to slow absorption, the cane sugar hits their bloodstream instantly.
You are also paying a premium for diluted ingredients. Because Danimals is designed to be drinkable, water is the second ingredient. The company uses cheap modified food starch to recreate the creamy texture they destroyed by watering down the milk. Is Kids Yogurt Healthy
What's Actually In Danimals
- Cultured Grade A Low Fat Milk ā The standard dairy base, but itās heavily diluted to make the product drinkable.
- Water ā The second ingredient, proving you are paying for watered-down yogurt.
- Cane Sugar ā The third ingredient, contributing 6 grams of empty calories per tiny bottle.
- Modified Food Starch ā A highly processed carbohydrate used to thicken the diluted milk back into a somewhat creamy texture.
- Natural Flavors ā A proprietary chemical blend used to mimic fruit, since there is no actual fruit in a Danimals smoothie.
- Fruit & Vegetable Juice ā Added purely for color, which is actually a positive since it replaces the need for controversial artificial dyes. Artificial Dyes In Kids Cereal
What to Look For
Green Flags:
- Real Fruit ā The sweetness should come from actual pureed berries or bananas, not isolated cane sugar.
- High Protein ā Look for at least 5 grams of protein per serving to keep kids full and stabilize their energy.
Red Flags:
- Water as a Top Ingredient ā If water is listed before the fruit or thickeners, the product has been heavily diluted.
- Modified Starches ā Ingredients like modified food starch or gums are only there to fake a creamy texture that should come from real dairy fat.
The Best Options
When it comes to kids' dairy, you want products that prioritize protein and real food over cheap sugars. For a deeper dive into the best choices, read our guide on the Healthiest Kids Yogurt.
| Brand | Product | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siggi's | Kids Yogurt Pouches | ā | 5g protein and real fruit with minimal added sugar. |
| Stonyfield Organic | Kids Yogurt Tubes | ā ļø | Certified organic but still contains 4g of added sugar. |
| Danimals | Smoothies | š« | Watered-down milk with 6g added sugar and no real fruit. |
The Bottom Line
1. Skip the smoothies ā They are essentially sugar-sweetened milk diluted with water.
2. Look for protein ā Choose yogurts with at least 5g of protein to prevent blood sugar spikes.
3. Demand real fruit ā Avoid brands that rely on "natural flavors" to mask the lack of actual fruit.
FAQ
Are Danimals high in sugar?
Yes, a tiny 3.1-ounce bottle contains 6 grams of added sugar. When scaled up to a standard yogurt cup size, that equates to more sugar than a bowl of ice cream. Sugar In Kids Yogurt
Do Danimals have artificial colors?
No, Danimals uses fruit and vegetable juice for coloring. This is one of the few positive aspects of the product, as it avoids synthetic dyes completely.
Are Danimals a good source of protein?
No, a Danimals smoothie provides only 2 grams of protein. For a dairy product, this is incredibly low and fails to provide meaningful satiety for a growing child. Yogurt Tubes Vs Cups