Yogurt, Any One?

[Ronnie]

Does anyone here eat yogurt? I love it and i'm curious if it's alright to eat or not.

Anyone know of any brands that are alright to eat?

[plantime]

I use Yoplait if I want just yogurt, and Great Value brand for my smoothies.

[Phyllis28]

I eat generally eat Yoplait. If I am at Wild Oats I will buy the Wallaby yogurt. Below is the information of gluten from Wallaby's web site:

Wallaby Yogurt

Does your yogurt contain any of the following: gluten, eggs, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, or soybeans?

Wallaby yogurt does not contain any gluten, eggs, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, or soybeans.

[Michi8]

I'm having a hard time finding a Yoplait yogurt that isn't fortified with vitamin B12 (I'm allergic.) I've heard that Danone has a risk of CC. Does anyone know if Astro is gluten-free?

Michelle

[Rebecca47]

I eat yoplait, it's the only one I like.

Good luck. Hope you find what youcan eat and enjoy.

[Ronnie]

Thank you so much! I'll stick with yoplait...

[Random Guy]

trader joe's yogurt, other than vanilla, is gluten free

although it's likely that if there's a trader joe's near you, you probably already knew that

[emcmaster]

I use Yoplait if I want just yogurt, and Great Value brand for my smoothies.

You're referring to Walmart's brand, Great Value, right? I thought that wasn't gluten-free since they print "gluten-free" on all items that they have verified to be gluten-free...

[zachsmom]

Yo baby Yougurt.... the yellow one... is gluten free... and baby tested.. but its whole milk .. kinda a lot of calories for an adult, but it tastes so good..

they make a drinkable same kind ... but the cereal one has wheat... only the YELLOW is safe.

[loraleena]

Woodstock water buffalo yogurt is fabulous and easy to digest. They have it at whole foods.

[Sophiekins]

Michelle,

Astro is gluten-free but not corn free, except for the very plain one (with no sugar or flavourings) with medium fact content (I think 2.5%?). . .not sure about the B12 as I've not bought yogurt in N. America for a while.

[plantime]

You're referring to Walmart's brand, Great Value, right? I thought that wasn't gluten-free since they print "gluten-free" on all items that they have verified to be gluten-free...

I don't go by what the front of the label says, I go by the ingredients list. I didn't see anything that was a no-no, so I use it.

[Michi8]

Michelle,

Astro is gluten-free but not corn free, except for the very plain one (with no sugar or flavourings) with medium fact content (I think 2.5%?). . .not sure about the B12 as I've not bought yogurt in N. America for a while.

Thanks. I'm okay with corn, so it should be fine (I can find varieties that don't have added B12.) I do have a question in to them though. On their website, they only state that their Jeunesse yogurt is gluten free (the others have no statements either way) but I think it has added B12. So I'm waiting to hear what they have to say. Also on their website, they say that "natural flavours" are flavours derived from real fruit...but it doesn't that say that those flavours are gluten free either.

Michelle

[plantime]

Thanks. I'm okay with corn, so it should be fine (I can find varieties that don't have added B12.) I do have a question in to them though. On their website, they only state that their Jeunesse yogurt is gluten free (the others have no statements either way) but I think it has added B12. So I'm waiting to hear what they have to say. Also on their website, they say that "natural flavours" are flavours derived from real fruit...but it doesn't that say that those flavours are gluten free either.

Michelle

I don't understand how a person could be allergic to a vitamin. Is it what the vitamin is derived from that you react to?

[RiceGuy]

There are of course soy yogurts, rice yogurts, etc. You can also make your own. If you want it cultured, look in your health stores for the starter cultures. I suppose many things with a high fat content could be made into a yogurt-like food, such as almond or other nut milks. Making your own would also help control ingredients, like B12, dairy, and so forth.

As for being allergic to B12, I highly doubt that, as it is an essential nutrient. It is used all over the body, for nerves (including those of the spinal cord), within the brain, etc. If you react to a supplement, it may be because of the particular type of B12, as there are a few different forms on the market. The most common is the cyanocobalamin, which contains cyanide! If your system is sensitive to cyanide, or it cannot handle the disposal of it, that could cause you noticeable problems. The form shown to be most effective for supplements is methylcobalamin (which is apparently what the body converts dietary B12 into anyway), and as a sublingual will bypass the digestive system as well, allowing the body to utilize it very quickly. Another possibility for a negative reaction is some other ingredient. There are few brands which actually claim gluten-free on the label. Some will say wheat free, but they don't say gluten-free, and that I wouldn't trust. Look up the Freeda and Source Naturals brands to see if you can use one of those.

Let's not forget that animal products contain B12, so eating any of those would put a certain amount into your system. Whether your digestive system is able to process it though is another matter.

[Michi8]

I don't understand how a person could be allergic to a vitamin. Is it what the vitamin is derived from that you react to?

The naturally occuring vitamin is okay (ie from animal sources). However, I am allergic to cobalt, and vitamin B12 supplements are made from cobalt (cobalamin.) Because of this, I would be unable to take injections if I ever develop pernicious anemia, and am trying to avoid foods fortified with it.

I am also allergic to nickel and chromium (cobalt is often found in combination with one or both minerals)...and are found in multivitamins as well. Nickel is also found naturally in a wide variety of foods.

Michelle

[Michi8]

There are of course soy yogurts, rice yogurts, etc. You can also make your own. If you want it cultured, look in your health stores for the starter cultures. I suppose many things with a high fat content could be made into a yogurt-like food, such as almond or other nut milks. Making your own would also help control ingredients, like B12, dairy, and so forth.

As for being allergic to B12, I highly doubt that, as it is an essential nutrient.

Naturally occuring B12 is not the issue. I am allergic to cobalt. Vitamin B12 supplements are always made from cobalt. There actually have been some studies done showing a possibility of anaphylactic reaction to B12 injections in a person whom is allergic to cobalt. My cobalt allergy is in conjunction with my nickel and chromium allergies...I have always been allergic to nickel...I suspect my chromium senstitivity came from working with photo development chemicals.

Being allergic to cobalt was a surprise to me, and has made a big difference in how I shop for foods...I have to be careful about supplements containing any of those allergens...and it could very well make a difference in my health, just as avoiding gluten could.

BTW, nickel, chromium and other traces minerals/metals are essential nutrients as well. Do you doubt that people can have allergies to them?

Michelle

[Cynbd]

So am I correct in understanding that all flavors of Yoplait Yogurt are gluten free?

I have been staying away because I keep seeing that 'plain' yogurt is gluten free but flavors are not (generally speaking) and quite honestly I can't get into 'plain' yogurt.

Thanks,

Cin

[olalisa]

my understanding is that all yoplait is gluten free unless it has something obvious in it like cookie crumbles. I eat yoplait all the time. it's YUMMY

Enjoy!

[tarnalberry]

BTW, nickel, chromium and other traces minerals/metals are essential nutrients as well. Do you doubt that people can have allergies to them?

That one is my question.

I know that it's possible to have allergic reactions to these trace elements when they are presented in relatively large (for trace elements) dosages. But does the same occur from, for instance, eating lettuce, which may have picked up trace amounts of those trace elements from the soil it was grown in?

Additionally, as those trace minerals are necessary for human metabolism, it would seem that there needs to be *some* in the body, so is it just the the allergy manifests if the amount in the body is over a (very very low) limit? Or only if it is presented to the body via a specifical chemical route? Or only if it's not tightly bound (or, alternatively, not free)?

I suppose it comes down to: "I believe you, but how do you not die if it's a true anaphylactic allergy?", if you know what I mean.

[RiceGuy]

I suppose it comes down to: "I believe you, but how do you not die if it's a true anaphylactic allergy?", if you know what I mean.

Exactly. I suspect it is the "carrier", or form used in the supplements. I've read that methylcobalamin is what natural occurring dietary B12 is converted into within the body (I think it's the liver) before it is put to use. So if that's true, taking methylcobalamin should be safe. The amount you may be able to handle at one time is another matter.

If I'm not mistaken, cobalt would also be present in various degrees in plants, as it is in the soil. For trace elements, I might suggest natural, sun dried sea salt. This will not be pure white, as many trace elements are present in it, including iodine, so it need not be iodized either.

[Michi8]

That one is my question.

I know that it's possible to have allergic reactions to these trace elements when they are presented in relatively large (for trace elements) dosages. But does the same occur from, for instance, eating lettuce, which may have picked up trace amounts of those trace elements from the soil it was grown in?

It can. If eliminating obvious sources of contact with the allergen (for example, nickel) does not clear up reactions (eczema/contact dermatitis) then you want to eliminate food sources for 3-4 weeks (ie an elimination diet). In the case of nickel, there is a very long list of possible offending foods. It does not require large quanitites to have reactions, though...prolonged contact to even very small amounts can cause a reaction.

Additionally, as those trace minerals are necessary for human metabolism, it would seem that there needs to be *some* in the body, so is it just the the allergy manifests if the amount in the body is over a (very very low) limit? Or only if it is presented to the body via a specifical chemical route? Or only if it's not tightly bound (or, alternatively, not free)?

Yes, you still need some in the body for proper metabolism. That's where I would continue to try to get those trace minerals and metals through a healthy diet, but avoid additional supplementation, unless absolutely necessary (as with my low iron levels.) I will continue to eat animal products to maintain a healthy level of B12, but will avoid additional supplementation, because of my known allergy. Too high of levels of any trace minerals and/or metals in the body can lead to problems...and this is especially true of those who have known allergy. Even though my visible reaction is through the skin, it is entirely possible that I am reacting internally as well...and this could very well be the source of the health issues I'm trying to solve.

I suppose it comes down to: "I believe you, but how do you not die if it's a true anaphylactic allergy?", if you know what I mean.

Luckily, anaphylaxis is not, at this point, an issue with any of my food or contact allergies (let's hope it stays that way.) Those with cobalt allergies are advised not to take B12 supplements, and, as I mentioned, studies have shown possible anaphylactic response to injections. I'll continue to eat animal products, and hope that that is enough to keep my own B12 levels normal...though if I ever develop pernicious anemia, I'm in trouble. Even if I didn't have an anaphylactic reaction, I wouldn't want to experience the resulting skin issues either...and if my skin is reacting, who knows what it's doing inside my body.

Michelle

[Michi8]

Exactly. I suspect it is the "carrier", or form used in the supplements. I've read that methylcobalamin is what natural occurring dietary B12 is converted into within the body (I think it's the liver) before it is put to use. So if that's true, taking methylcobalamin should be safe. The amount you may be able to handle at one time is another matter.

If I'm not mistaken, cobalt would also be present in various degrees in plants, as it is in the soil. For trace elements, I might suggest natural, sun dried sea salt. This will not be pure white, as many trace elements are present in it, including iodine, so it need not be iodized either.

It's not the carrier. It's the cobalt. I can't take any form of supplement containing cobalt. In addition to vitamin B12 supplements, I also have to avoid prolonged contact with:

jewelry

snaps, zippers, buttons and buckles

tools, utensils and instruments

machinery parts

hair dyes & cosmetics

pigments in pottery, glass and crayons

joint replacements and dental appliances

shell splinters

cement, paint and resins

printing inks

tattoos

welding rods

electroplating

animal feed

tires

That's in addition to the long lists for nickel and chromium.

I'm surprised and frustrated by being questioned on this. Allergies to minerals and metals is no different that being allergic/intolerant/sensitive to a food. Do you question others who are avoiding minute amounts of food allergens? Is it really implausible to think that too much of these allergens in my system may cause health issues?

Michelle

PS: Sorry, Ronnie, that this thread got hijacked. It wasn't my intention. I was just interested in finding a yogurt that was both gluten and supplement free!

[emcmaster]

I don't go by what the front of the label says, I go by the ingredients list. I didn't see anything that was a no-no, so I use it.

I typically use that same method, but because walmart actually prints 'gluten-free' on items that they have verified to be gluten-free, I am suspicious of eating something they don't print it on. Not saying for sure that it definitely contains gluten, just that it seems that if it were verified to be gluten-free, they would have printed it on there.

[Badreligion0204]

Does anyone here eat yogurt? I love it and i'm curious if it's alright to eat or not.

Anyone know of any brands that are alright to eat?

I got responses from dannon and stonyfield farms

Thank you for contacting The Dannon Company, Inc. We sincerely appreciate your interest in Dannon yogurt products and gluten.

Dannon yogurt products are characterized as either gluten safe or not gluten safe.

Our Dannon Plain Lowfat, Plain Nonfat and Plain Natural are all gluten safe. Plain DanActive (formerly called Original DanActive) is also gluten safe.

All other Dannon yogurts and yogurt drinks cannot be designated as gluten safe because the natural flavor systems used might have ingredients added to stabilize the flavor that may be derived from gluten sources. These products are not specifically formulated to contain gluten (except for the Light & Fit Crave Control yogurt noted below) but we cannot guarantee that the alcohol portion of the natural flavor system is always derived from corn and not from wheat, oats, rye and barley. We recommend you consult your allergist on the incidence of gluten proteins in ethanol derived from grains.

Additionally, we now produce Light & Fit Crave Control yogurt, a product which contains wheat. In fact you will find that we have labeled both the overwrap and foil of these products with the following: "Contains milk and wheat."

We hope this information is helpful to you. As an additional resource, you may wish to visit the website: www.celiac.com. Once again, thank you for contacting Dannon.

Sincerely,

Lisa Moore

Consumer Response Representative

and

Thank you for taking the time to contact us. We always welcome comments

and questions from our yogurt lovers and are grateful when someone takes

the time to let us know what they think of our Company and products.

Though we don't add gluten, there is the possibility of an immeasurable

amount of gluten in our flavored yogurt that contains natural

flavorings. A distilled grain alcohol is used to extract flavors from

spices. Our nonfat plain, low fat plain and whole milk plain do not

contain any natural flavorings. If you have any doubts on whether to

consume these flavors, please contact your doctor. We are in the

process of learning more about Celiac disease and have been told that

some individuals are sensitive to miniscule amounts. We have difficulty

answering questions because we are concerned about giving out

information to individuals who have unique and sensitive health issues

without the person going through their doctor. Especially since the

outcome can be serious.

There is gluten contained in our Yobaby plus fruit and cereal due to the

oats in the cereal that may contain gluten.

We are passionately committed to producing the best tasting, healthiest

yogurts available, and trying to do some good in the world while we're

at it. Please visit our web site at Stonyfield.com to learn more.

Sincerely,

Vicki Koenig MS, RD CDN

Stonyfield Farm Nutritionist

I hope that helps!!

Mark