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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.

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