Skip to main content

Forget the frogurt.

What the frogurt is frogurt, you ask? It's not the latest Game of Thrones character to be murdered, alas it is the latest abbreviation from the world of gastronomy. 'Frogurt' is a term used to describe frozen yogurt, an ice-cream equivalent that is the latest food phenomenon.

What irritates me about frogurt is not the stupid name, but moreso the way the treat has been marketed as a healthy option. Yes I'm sure it is the 'low-fat', healthier alternative to ice cream. I'm not here to argue the science of this trend, but I just feel that people are somehow under the illusion that because what they are eating is 'yogurt', it is magically good for them. Please don't tell me that you think chocolate flavoured frozen yogurt is healthy - it's a desert, plain and simple.

On any given weekend in Dundrum shopping centre, swarms of teens are to be seen Instagramming* their mountains of frogurt, scattered with a wide variety of unhealthy confectionery. Yep - the whole point is that you lace your natural frozen yogurt with a concoction of marshmallows, chocolate, jellies, oh! and a strawberry because you're remarkably health conscious.

The pesky offenders in question.
It reminds me of the 'Innocent' smoothies. Excellent branding with games and cool recipes on the back of the carton for kids. Innocent is a brand that conveys the message that their products are refined but simple and always honest. Of course, these fruity liquids weren't as straight-forward as they seemed: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/beware-the-smoothie-full-of-fruit-but-they-may-be-bad-for-you-406370.html

'Innocent's products have been promoted as a healthy option. However, a 250 ml bottle of 'Innocent Smoothie' contains 171 calories and 34.3 g of sugar. This is equivalent to three-and-a-half Krispy Kreme Original Glazed Donuts in terms of sugar content.'

Likewise, the 'Juicy Water' brand portrays the product as having natural and concise ingredients: water and juice. However, within the murky liquid and behind the PR gobeldy-gook lies a drink with more sugar than Coca-Cola. Would you care to take a sip now?

I think what I'm trying to say is that some marketing is really clever, and sometimes consumers are really naive. Just because a brand or product appears to be offering health benefits, or claims that it is low-fat, doesn't necessarily mean you should consume a lot of it!

We should be discouraging our children from consuming generally unhealthy foods and beverages, not permitting them because they have a certain health benefit or are better for you than their fattier equivalent. Look at the bigger picture, and look at your sugary, gluttonous combination of M&Ms, peanut butter and frozen yogurt and ask - Should I really be eating this?

Gavin


*HEALTH WARNING: Instagramming of food/beverages can aggravate friends and family, also often making your followers distance themselves from you.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Promoting Dublin's cycling culture

Let's face it. Dublin's cycle paths are un-attractive. Many times I have driven past a cyclist looking despondent, getting splashed when each passing car drives through a puddle next to him. One of the main cycle lane in the city is located along the N11. It's a fairly direct route, starting at Loughlinstown, before passing by Stillorgan, Donnybrook and eventually emerging at Leeson street just off St. Stephen's Green. However some cyclists would criticise it for having a poor surface in parts, and having issues with cars and buses travelling at close proximity to them. A contribution on a thread on Boards.ie from a cyclist who uses the N11 cycle lane frequently. I was sitting on the Luas a few weeks ago and a thought struck me. The Luas green line runs directly into St. Stephen's Green from Cherrywood. It originally had a terminus at Sandyford. This route is incredibly direct, passing through Dundrum, Milltown and Ranelagh before heading onto Harcourt street...
Post a Comment
Read more

The right ends, the wrong means

The extraordinary din enveloped a tube station during rush hour. Commuters are usually quiet and passive, barely even mustering the energy to make eye contact with each other. This day they were a united front up against a group of Extinction Rebellion (XR) climate change protestors who were parading on the roof of a tram, preventing it from moving.  This caused huge delays to commuters, going about their errands and trying to get to work. The very people who should have been commended for choosing to use relatively eco-friendly public transport over their carbon-intensive cars were made feel ashamed and annoyed by climate change protestors. This irony wasn't lost on most people. They got loads of publicity for their cause , say the XR defenders. Well for sure they did, but I think the media narrative portrayed them as villains, not heroes in this story. Also, for the last week we haven't been having conversations about the substantive issue of climate change, instead about th...
Post a Comment
Read more

The 'A Word'

"YOU support murdering children?"   It was a simple exchange. We were talking about faith in the modern world, and I foolishly dropped the 'A Word'. Hinting my feelings in relation to this controversial topic, I was immediately stopped in my tracks. My words had led to a judgement being made about my character and my personality. This headline from Waterford Whispers News summarises what has happened to the debate in Ireland: It's ironic, because since the debate has come into general public consideration in Ireland, it has almost become more of a taboo. A highly emotionally-charged debate, both sides will shoot the other down with provocative statements. People are afraid to open their mouths about it in case they are ridiculed for their views. This is exacerbated by the far-left and far-right musings on social media, suggesting that there is little or no middle-ground in this debate. Whatever side of the tracks you are on, or whether you have made ...
Post a Comment
Read more