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Up&Go Dairy Free | Chewsday Review

Up&Go Liquid Breakfast has been an Australian staple of canteens and pantries for years. Touted as the equivalent of two Weet-bix and milk, the new dairy-free version appears to be all that - minus the milk? But is it a healthy breakfast option or just a marketing gimmick? Read on to find out.

Ingredients

Water, soy protein, corn maltodextrin, cane sugar, plant fibre, vegetable oils (sunflower, canola), fructose, cocoa (0.5%), brown rice flour, flavours, mineral (calcium), acidity regulator (potassium citrate), vegetable gums (460, 466, 407), stabiliser (452), vitamins (C, niacin, A, B12, B6, B2, B1, folate), salt
This product replaces the skim milk powder in the original Up&Go with soy protein to make it dairy-free.
There are two types of added sugar in this product – cane sugar and fructose.
The vegetable gums (460, 466 and 407) and stabiliser (452) help keep the texture consistent, and the acidity regulator (potassium citrate) helps preserve nutrient content. Nothing to worry about here.
Allergens: Soy

Positives

Negatives

Whilst the sugar content is within the healthy guidelines, all of this sugar is added sugar which isn’t ideal. One tetra box contains 3 tsp of sugar.
It’s a shame these haven’t been fortified with iron, like Weet-bix and some other brekkie cereals.
Keep in mind that drinks don’t keep us as full for as long. If serving this as a breakfast option, I would add a piece of fruit on the side to avoid a very hungry kiddo by morning tea!

Marketing

Alternatives

I think 2 Weet-Bix and milk are a better option, but from a nutrition perspective, these Up&Go are surprisingly ok. They are a little higher in added sugar than I would like, but would easily trump a bowl of Nutri-Grain. They’d also make a decent snack or quick brekkie option for older kids who struggle to eat before school. I would pair it with a piece of toast or fruit for a more substantial breakfast.
If you have time to make your own smoothie, try a combo of milk, frozen fruit, oats or Weet-bix and ice.