Coles Yoghurt Vanilla
Coles Yoghurt Vanilla: independently scored 3.7/10 on Protein Score and 6.3/10 on Clean Score by ProteinScore.
6.2g protein per serve · 137 cal · 18.3g sugar · 65mg sodium · 150g serve.
Overview
This is a straightforward, sweet vanilla yoghurt that leans more towards a dessert topping than a breakfast staple. The sugar content is the main story, with 18.3 grams in a standard 150g tub. That's more than double the category average we track, placing it firmly in the treat category rather than a daily go-to for the nutrition-focused shopper. The ingredient list tells a similar story. It starts with reconstituted skim milk and cream, but sugar appears twice: once in the yoghurt base and again in the vanilla preparation. To achieve its smooth, consistent texture in a large 1kg format, it relies on thickeners (1422, 1442) and stabilisers (406, 440), pushing the ingredient count to fifteen, which is higher than the typical yoghurt in our database. Compared to the brand's own Squeezie Yoghurt tub in Strawberry flavour, this tub delivers 0.5g more protein but also packs in an extra 2.9g of sugar per 100g. When we stack it against other products in the Coles lineup, like the Perform High Protein Greek Yoghurt, the difference is stark. This vanilla tub is clearly not playing in the same league, trading protein and simplicity for sweetness and a lower price point. Ultimately, this is a bulk buy for the family fridge where a simple, sweet yoghurt is needed for occasional desserts or to please fussy eaters. If you're chasing a protein-dense start to your day or watching your sugar intake, we'd suggest looking elsewhere in the chiller.
Protein Score: 3.7/10
Is this a protein-focused yoghurt? The numbers suggest not. With just 4.1g of protein per 100g, it sits squarely in the range of a standard, unstrained yoghurt, not a denser Greek or skyr style. This earns it a Protein Score/10, which trails the field. A single 150g serve provides only 6.2g of protein, a minimal contribution to a daily target. For context, that's well under half the protein you'd find in a serve of a dedicated high-protein yoghurt. The protein-per-calorie metric is also weak, meaning you're getting a lot of energy for a very small amount of protein. This tub isn't designed for a post-workout recovery hit or to keep you full all morning. Coles offers far stronger performers in its own range, like its Greek-style yoghurts, which pack double the protein. This one is a flavour-first product, not a functional one.
Clean Score: 6.3/10
The use of thickeners and stabilisers is what defines this yoghurt's clean score. These ingredients ensure a consistently smooth, scoopable product that doesn't separate over time in a big 1kg tub, but they also contribute to a longer ingredient list than a simple, tub-set yoghurt. The final tally of 15 ingredients results in a Clean Score/10. The additives are common food processing aids: modified starch (1422, 1442) as a thickener, and vegetable gums (406, 440) as stabilisers. On the plus side, the list is free from any artificial sweeteners, colours or preservatives, which many shoppers actively look to avoid. The score is a reflection of the processing level, not a red flag for specific "nasty" ingredients. In the context of the supermarket chiller, this tub sits somewhere in the middle. It's more processed than a plain, natural yoghurt containing only milk and cultures, but it's cleaner than many dessert-style yoghurts that rely on artificial flavours and sweeteners. It's a trade-off for convenience and a consistent, familiar texture.
Wins
- Bulk 1kg tub is convenient for households or meal prepping.
- Contains live cultures, a key component of traditional yoghurt.
- Free from any artificial sweeteners, colours or preservatives.
Watch outs
- High in sugar, with 18.3g in a single 150g serve.
- Low in protein at just 4.1g per 100g.
- A long list of 15 ingredients including thickeners and stabilisers.
Ingredients
Yoghurt (89%) [Reconstituted Skim Milk, Sugar, Cream (Milk), Thickener (1422), Stabilisers (406, 440), Mineral Salt (341), Live Cultures (Milk)], Vanilla Preparation (11%) [Water, Sugar, Thickener (1442), Natural Flavours, Acidity Regulators (330, 331), Vanilla Bean Extract (0.04%)]
15 ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the sugar in this yoghurt added or natural?
- A significant portion of the sugar is added. A 150g serve contains 18.3g of sugar, and while some of this is naturally occurring lactose from milk, the ingredients list shows sugar added to both the yoghurt base and the vanilla preparation. This high sugar content is why it tastes sweet rather than tangy. We think it's better framed as a dessert or occasional treat rather than a daily breakfast staple.
- How does this compare to plain Greek yoghurt for protein?
- It contains significantly less protein. This tub has 4.1g of protein per 100g, which is typical for a standard, unstrained yoghurt. In contrast, most Greek yoghurts deliver 6g to 10g of protein per 100g because the straining process concentrates the milk solids. If a high protein count is your main goal for satiety or muscle repair, a Greek or skyr yoghurt would be a much better fit.
- Does Coles Vanilla Yoghurt have live cultures?
- Yes, it does. The ingredients list confirms 'Live Cultures (Milk)', which are the active bacteria responsible for fermenting milk into yoghurt. However, the specific strains of bacteria (like L. acidophilus or B. lactis) are not named on the pack, which is common for more basic yoghurts. If you are looking for specific probiotic strains for gut health, you would need a product that lists them explicitly.
- Where can I buy this Coles Vanilla Yoghurt?
- As a Coles own-brand product, this 1kg yoghurt tub is stocked in the chilled dairy aisle at Coles supermarkets across Australia. It's a core range item, so you should find it reliably at most larger stores and it is listed on the Coles website for online shopping. Stock levels at your local store can vary, so checking the app or website beforehand is always a good move.
- Why did this yoghurt get a low Protein Score?
- This yoghurt's score reflects its low protein density compared to the wider category. At just 4.1g of protein per 100g, it sits well below the category average of 7.4g. Our scoring system rewards products that deliver more protein per calorie and per serve. This tub is formulated as a traditional sweet yoghurt, so it doesn't have the concentrated protein of a Greek or high-protein alternative, leading to a lower score.