Yogurt Tubes

Horizon Organic Yogurt Tubes

A lunch-box newbie, this snack can be a sweet treat and is a good source of protein, but it can often be laden with sugar. This popular organic dairy brand promises to deliver the same sweetness without the cringe-worthy sugar factor. Yogurt Tubes, $3 for 8, Horizon Organic, Whole Foods.

What the kids said: The superfresh flavor of the Strawberry yogurt was a hit, but some kids weren't fans of the thin consistency. "It's a little weird because it's not really like a yogurt—it is kind of thin. But I think it kind of tastes better than the other yogurt and other ones I've had," said Andrew, 10. "It needs a pinch or so more, maybe a teaspoon of sugar."

The verdict: Taste, 3; Excitement, 3

Stonyfield Farms YoKids Yogurt Tubes

This popular brand says their product merges the kid-appeal of yogurt tubes with more natural ingredients. YoKids Squeezers, $3 for 8, Stonyfield Farm, Fresh Direct.

What the kids said: Once again, the flavor of this yogurt was a hit. "It tastes like fresh strawberries!" said Izael, 10. But the texture wasn't as pleasing to some. Crishna, 10, said that it went down "a little slimy."

The verdict: Taste, 4; Excitement, 2

What the nutritionist said:"Kids tend not to get enough of the beneficial bacteria cultures that are present in things like yogurt that can really help to support the immune system," said Brewster, adding that she'd lean toward the Stonyfield brand because it started with a cultured organic milk, rather than adding the bacteria culture into the yogurt later in the process. She praised both products' lack of artificial color, which has been shown to increase hyperactivity in children, according to a study published last year in the Lancet, and is found in other yogurt tubes targeted at children. Still, both products contain a good amount of sugar. "Milk itself is high in sugar, so you're getting good calcium and protein, but it's essential to balance it with whole grains and high fiber veggies."

String Cheese

Organic Valley Stringles in Colby Jack and Mozzarella

Protein-packed, Organic Valley offers an organic version of the traditional snack. Stringles in Colby Jack and Mozzarella, $4, Organic Valley, Fresh Direct.

What the kids said: The simple string cheese scored big with the kid tasters, earning the highest score on both taste and excitement level. The texture is notably softer and more cheese-like than other sting cheeses, which can verge on the rubbery side. "I would make it a 10 if I could! I think it is even better than other sting cheese," said Gabriella, 10. Nereyda, 9, concurred. "Can we take this home?" she asked.

The verdict: Taste, 5; Excitement, 5

Horizon Organic Milky Mozzarella Cheese Sticks

Horizon Organic gives this classic handheld lunch-box addition a new twist with organic milk and non-animal-based microbial enzymes. Milky Mozzarella Cheese Sticks, $6, Horizon Organic, Organic Direct.

What the kids said: This cheese was another big hit with our tasters, garnering fours across the board. However, the kids noted that, while delicious, this cheese was similar to traditional string cheeses. (And we quietly noted its high $6 price tag.) "This is more like an ordinary cheese, but it is more stringy than the Organic Valley," said Jose, 10.

The verdict: Taste, 4; Excitement, 4

What the nutritionist said: Brewster appreciated both Organic Valley's and Horizon Organic's use of non-animal-based microbial enzymes. These types of enzymes are environmentally cleaner than animal-based microbial enzymes, which can produce higher amounts of animal byproducts. She noted that traditionally produced string cheeses don't actually contain much antibiotic or hormonal residue in the final products but that the organic varieties still trump the average string cheese. "What's important about both products is that they use grass-fed animals, which has been shown to contain more heart-healthy fatty acids than regular cows."

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