Low Sugar Milkshakes UK: Yazoo No Added Sugar and Alternatives [2026]

Here''s a question: when did milkshakes become the health villain of the chilled aisle? After testing every low sugar milkshake I could find across UK supermarkets—my fridge now resembles a dairy-based chemistry lab—I can tell you the answer isn''t straightforward. Some products deserve their bad reputation. Others don''t.

Whether you''re hunting for a lunchbox-friendly option for the kids or trying to cut sugar without sacrificing that creamy indulgence, this guide compares every low sugar milkshake available in UK supermarkets to help you make the right choice.

Quick Comparison: Low Sugar Milkshakes at a Glance

What to Look for When Buying Low Sugar Milkshakes

Sugar Content: The Numbers That Matter

The first thing to understand: all milk contains naturally occurring sugars. Semi-skimmed milk has approximately 4.7g of sugar per 100ml—this is lactose, and it''s unavoidable unless you''re drinking water. When a milkshake claims "no added sugar," it means they haven''t dumped in extra sweeteners on top of what''s already in the milk.

What I look for: anything under 6g per 100ml is genuinely low. Between 6-9g is moderate. Above 10g and you''re entering standard milkshake territory, regardless of what the marketing says.

Sweeteners: The Trade-Off

Most low sugar milkshakes achieve their reduced sugar content by using artificial or natural sweeteners. The common ones you''ll encounter include sucralose, stevia, and acesulfame K. Yazoo No Added Sugar is notable for avoiding artificial sweeteners entirely—they rely solely on the natural sweetness of milk. This matters if you''re sensitive to that artificial aftertaste some sweeteners produce.

Protein and Calcium

One genuine advantage of milkshakes over fizzy drinks: they deliver actual nutrition. A 200ml bottle of Yazoo provides approximately 6.4g of protein and 240mg of calcium. That''s not nothing, particularly for children. The protein content varies little between standard and low sugar versions—it''s the sugar that changes, not the milk base.

Top 5 Low Sugar Milkshakes Reviewed

1. Yazoo No Added Sugar - Best Overall

Price: £1.60 for 4x200ml at most supermarkets

Sugar: 4.6g per 100ml

Why we like it: No artificial sweeteners, school approved, genuinely tastes like milk

Yazoo No Added Sugar deserves its top spot. I''ve run this test blind with colleagues—and yes, I''m aware this is not normal workplace behaviour—and consistently, testers couldn''t distinguish it from lightly flavoured milk. That''s the point. It doesn''t taste artificially sweet or leave that chemical aftertaste.

The flavour range covers chocolate, strawberry, banana, and toffee. The chocolate version contains 9.2g of sugar per 200ml serving, which is less than a small apple. The fact it''s approved for school lunchboxes tells you something about its positioning: Yazoo have clearly prioritised genuinely low sugar over intense sweetness.

Best for: Parents looking for lunchbox drinks, anyone avoiding artificial sweeteners

Downside: Less sweet than standard milkshakes—some find it bland

2. Frijj Zero Added Sugar - Best for Adults

Price: £1.50 for 400ml at Tesco, Sainsbury''s

Sugar: 5.4g per 100ml

Why we like it: Creamier texture, more flavour intensity

Muller''s Frijj Zero Added Sugar line takes a different approach. These are thicker, more indulgent-feeling drinks that happen to have reduced sugar. They use sweeteners (sucralose) to achieve a taste profile closer to standard milkshakes.

The chocolate version is genuinely good. Blindfolded—yes, I made colleagues do this—most couldn''t tell it from a standard Frijj. The strawberry and mango-passionfruit variants perform similarly well. At 5.4g sugar per 100ml, they''re marginally higher than Yazoo but still respectable.

Best for: Adults who want something closer to a standard milkshake experience

Downside: Contains artificial sweeteners, not as low in sugar as Yazoo

3. Mars No Added Sugar - Best for Chocolate Lovers

Price: £1.65 for 400ml at Tesco, Sainsbury''s, ASDA

Sugar: 5.2g per 100ml

Why we like it: Genuine Mars chocolate flavour, high protein

If you''ve ever had a standard Mars milkshake, you''ll know they''re dangerously drinkable and absolutely loaded with sugar. The No Added Sugar version is a genuine achievement—it tastes remarkably similar while containing roughly half the sugar.

The caramel notes come through clearly, and there''s enough chocolate intensity to satisfy. They''ve used maltitol and sucralose for sweetening, which some people notice and others don''t. At 8.6g of protein per 400ml bottle, it''s also the highest protein option in this lineup.

Best for: Fans of confectionery-flavoured drinks wanting a healthier option

Downside: Still contains sweeteners, larger bottle size encourages over-consumption

4. Nesquik Reduced Sugar - Best Budget Option

Price: £1.00 for 180ml single serve, varies

Sugar: 8.5g per 100ml

Why we like it: Widely available, familiar taste, reasonable price

Nesquik''s approach is "reduced" rather than "no added" sugar—an important distinction. At 8.5g per 100ml, it''s nearly double Yazoo''s No Added Sugar content. However, it''s still significantly lower than their standard recipe.

The taste is exactly what you''d expect from Nesquik: chocolatey, sweet, nostalgic. For children transitioning from sugary drinks to healthier options, this can work as a stepping stone. Just don''t mistake "reduced" for "low."

Best for: Budget-conscious shoppers, transitioning children off sweeter drinks

Downside: Still relatively high in sugar compared to true "no added sugar" options

5. Arla Protein Chocolate Milk - Best for Fitness

Price: £2.00 for 500ml at Tesco, ASDA

Sugar: 4.1g per 100ml

Why we like it: 20g protein per bottle, genuinely low sugar

This isn''t marketed as a traditional milkshake, but it occupies the same fridge space and scratches the same itch. Arla''s Protein range delivers serious protein content with lower sugar than most alternatives.

The chocolate flavour is pleasant if slightly chalky—a common trade-off with protein drinks. At 4.1g sugar per 100ml, it''s technically the lowest sugar option here, though the taste reflects that restraint.

Best for: Gym-goers, post-workout recovery, serious about protein

Downside: More protein drink than milkshake, less indulgent taste

Price Comparison Across Supermarkets

Prices as of January 2026. All prices verified in-store and online.

ASDA consistently edges out competitors on pricing—typically 5-10% cheaper across the range. For bulk buying, keep an eye on multipack deals at Tesco and Sainsbury''s, which frequently run 3-for-2 promotions on the 4-pack Yazoo range.

Is Yazoo Healthy? The Honest Answer

Let me address the question I see constantly: is Yazoo actually healthy?

The answer is: compared to what?

Compared to water: obviously not. Compared to standard milkshakes: yes, significantly. Compared to fizzy drinks: absolutely. A 200ml Yazoo No Added Sugar contains less sugar than an apple and provides meaningful calcium and protein. That''s not health food, but it''s not junk either.

The standard Yazoo range contains around 9.4g sugar per 100ml. That''s lower than Frijj (10.4g), lower than most supermarket own-brand milkshakes, and substantially lower than café milkshakes which can hit 30g+ per 100ml. The Action on Sugar campaign found some out-of-home milkshakes contained seventeen times more sugar than a Yazoo No Added Sugar.

What I tell people: if you''re replacing fizzy drinks or heavily sweetened coffee drinks with Yazoo No Added Sugar, you''re making a positive change. If you''re replacing water, you''re not.

Yazoo vs Frijj: Which Should You Buy?

This is the comparison most people actually want. Both are readily available, similarly priced, and occupy the same mental category. Here''s how they stack up:

Choose Yazoo No Added Sugar if:

• You''re buying for children''s lunchboxes
• You want to avoid artificial sweeteners entirely
• You prefer less intense sweetness
• Sugar content is your primary concern (4.6g vs 5.4g per 100ml)

Choose Frijj Zero Added Sugar if:

• You want something closer to a "proper" milkshake taste
• You don''t mind artificial sweeteners
• You prefer a thicker, creamier texture
• You''re an adult buying for yourself

The honest verdict: Yazoo wins on pure nutritional terms. Frijj wins on taste (for those who prefer sweeter drinks). My personal purchase history shows I buy Yazoo for the house and occasionally Frijj for myself. Make of that what you will.

Best Milkshake for Kids: School Lunchbox Options

Parents face specific constraints: school policies increasingly restrict high-sugar drinks, and children have opinions about taste that they express loudly.

Yazoo No Added Sugar ticks both boxes. It''s explicitly school-approved—their marketing highlights this—and the taste is mild enough that most children accept it. The 200ml carton size is perfect for lunchboxes, and at 40p per carton when bought in multipacks, it''s economically sensible.

Alternative approach: The Real Milkshake Company makes powdered milkshake mixes with reduced sugar options. Mixed with semi-skimmed milk at home, you control the exact sugar content. More effort, but maximum control.

For children who reject the low sugar options entirely, consider the transition approach: start with standard Yazoo (which is still lower sugar than Frijj), then gradually introduce the No Added Sugar version mixed with standard. Most children adapt within a few weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much sugar is in Yazoo milkshake?

Standard Yazoo contains 9.4g of sugar per 100ml. Yazoo No Added Sugar contains 4.6g per 100ml—all naturally occurring milk sugars with nothing added. For context, semi-skimmed milk alone contains 4.7g per 100ml, so Yazoo No Added Sugar is essentially flavoured milk.

Is Frijj milkshake healthy?

Standard Frijj contains 10.4g of sugar per 100ml and around 72 calories—not particularly healthy. Frijj Zero Added Sugar is better at 5.4g sugar per 100ml. Neither is health food, but the Zero version is a reasonable occasional treat, particularly compared to alternatives like fizzy drinks or café milkshakes.

Which milkshake has the least sugar in the UK?

Among widely available ready-to-drink milkshakes, Yazoo No Added Sugar has the lowest sugar at 4.6g per 100ml. Arla Protein Chocolate Milk is marginally lower at 4.1g per 100ml if you count protein drinks. Standard milk contains 4.7g per 100ml, so you won''t find much lower without going to water.

Can diabetics drink Yazoo No Added Sugar?

Yazoo No Added Sugar contains only naturally occurring milk sugars and no artificial sweeteners, making it potentially suitable for diabetics—but this varies by individual. A 200ml serving contains 9.2g total carbohydrates, which must be factored into daily intake. Always consult your healthcare provider for advice specific to your situation.

Are low sugar milkshakes good for weight loss?

Lower sugar milkshakes reduce calorie intake compared to standard versions—a 200ml Yazoo No Added Sugar is 82 calories versus 124 for standard. However, they still contain calories and shouldn''t be consumed in large quantities if weight loss is the goal. Water remains the best option for calorie-free hydration.

The Verdict

After testing every low sugar milkshake readily available in UK supermarkets—and consuming more dairy than any reasonable adult should—here are my clear recommendations:

Best Overall: Yazoo No Added Sugar - lowest sugar, no artificial sweeteners, school approved, consistently good taste. The chocolate and banana variants are particularly successful.

Best Value: Yazoo No Added Sugar 4-pack from ASDA at £1.50. At 37.5p per 200ml carton, it''s the cheapest per-serve option with the lowest sugar.

Best Premium Option: Mars No Added Sugar - highest protein, authentic confectionery taste, suitable for adults wanting an indulgent-feeling treat without the sugar hit.

Avoid: Own-brand "reduced sugar" milkshakes that often contain 8-9g sugar per 100ml while marketing themselves as healthier options. Check the labels.

For most shoppers—particularly parents—Yazoo No Added Sugar is the straightforward answer. It does what it claims, tastes acceptable to children, and doesn''t cost more than alternatives. Sometimes the obvious choice is obvious for good reason.

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