Need suggestions re: yogurt

is_it_over_yet?

My toddler eats yogurt like it's going out of style.  He's not a big fan of meat or milk, so I'm happy he will eat so much.  The problem is that he eats a LOT* and in reviewing our budget, I can see that it's getting pricey since I only give him organic yogurt.  I alternate between YoBaby organic cups (4 oz.), Stoneyfield organic cups (6 oz.) and Stoneyfield plain yogurt (32 oz.)made into a smoothie with bananas and other fruit, flax seed, powdered milk, and whatever else I feel like throwing in there.

DS is insanely picky, unfortunately, so if he will eat yogurt, I will keep giving it to him.  However, I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for being more cost efficient.  I'm really not interested in switching to non-organic since it is such a huge part of his diet.

Thanks for any ideas!

*I've tried "forcing" him to eat other things by simply withholding yogurt.  He will simply refuse to eat, which is not good because he is underweight.

WendyGR

Make your own. It reallly doesn't take that long. Here's a good tutorial: http://www.cheesemaking.com//store/pg/237-YogurtDetails.html

suzymarie

I find homemade yogurt to be gross.  I am really weird and picky about texture and dairy products, adn I just can't do it ::shudders::

That said, we always buy the large Stoneyfield containers (or whatever organic brand is on sale for the cheapest).  It is a lot cheaper than buying the small cups.  I buy 1 tub of plain and 1 flavored, and mix them together so that it is half the sugar, since I think the flavored stuff is too sweet. 

Yes it is pricey, but like you I hve a picky underweight toddler (mostly vegetarian) and you gotta do what you gotta do. 

CDMay2006

Giant tubs of it.  I think the size i used to get was 1/2 gallon tub (maybe a little smaller -- it was huge) of organic Nancy's.  It was around $5.50.  I don't eat much dairy anymore, so i get little ones now, but that's the way to go.  It's the biggest size in this picture:

CarrieB.

i can usually find a large tub of plain whole fat organic yogurt for under $3. i add honey and fruit or jam to sweeten it. and the benefit of plain yogurt is that you can also use it as sour cream.

is_it_over_yet?

Thanks for all the suggestions, these are great!

is_it_over_yet?

suzymarie:

I find homemade yogurt to be gross.  I am really weird and picky about texture and dairy products, adn I just can't do it ::shudders::

That said, we always buy the large Stoneyfield containers (or whatever organic brand is on sale for the cheapest).  It is a lot cheaper than buying the small cups.  I buy 1 tub of plain and 1 flavored, and mix them together so that it is half the sugar, since I think the flavored stuff is too sweet. 

Yes it is pricey, but like you I hve a picky underweight toddler (mostly vegetarian) and you gotta do what you gotta do. 

Just wanted to let you know that I did this today, using Stoneyfield plain and "banilla" flavors, and despite huge resistence from my super-picky DS at first because it wasn't in his usual 4-oz. container, he ate it and asked for seconds and then thirds.  Yay!  I don't expect it will make a huge dent in what we spend, but it's something AND it's less sugar. 

Next, I'm going to try adding reduced-sugar (no artificial sweetener added) jelly to plain yogurt.  My grandmother makes her own yogurt so I may try some of hers to see how that goes as well.