Viewers wanting a ready-to-drink milkshake
If convenience matters during the match, compare the fat and sugars per 100ml, then check how much is in the bottle you plan to drink.
Who might choose each type?
Viewers comparing protein drinks
A protein-focused shake may be worth considering if protein content matters to you. Compare its per-100ml figures and bottle size alongside fat and sugars rather than relying on the product name alone.
Shoppers checking lactose or milk ingredients
A lactose-free dairy shake can still contain milk. If you need to avoid cow's-milk protein, check the allergen information rather than relying on a lactose-free label.
What should you check on the label?
Start with comparable per-100ml figures, then check the portion you would actually drink during the match.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Fat | Read fat per 100ml. UK Department of Health and Social Care guidance sets no more than 1.5g per 100ml for a liquid making a low-fat claim; check that a powder's figures apply to the prepared drink before comparing it. | I want a lower-fat drink for the match, but need to compare different bottle sizes on the same basis. |
| Sugars | Compare sugars per 100ml as well as fat. Yazoo lists 8.7g sugars per 100ml for Banana; Tesco lists 4.7g per 100ml for Arla Protein Strawberry & Raspberry. | A low-fat label alone does not answer my question about sugars in the flavour I choose. |
| Portion | Check the bottle size and any stated serving size. Use the full-bottle figures if you expect to drink the whole bottle. | If I will finish the drink during a match, I want the nutrition figures for that amount, not just a smaller serving. |
| Milk suitability | Check the ingredients and allergen label. Lactose-free dairy products can still contain milk; a dairy-free alternative needs its own nutrition-label comparison. | I need to distinguish a lactose-free drink from one that contains no cow's milk. |
What can be easy to overlook?
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Assuming low fat also means low sugar
Yazoo lists 1.1g fat and 8.7g sugars per 100ml for its Banana milkshake: the two figures answer different questions.
Compare both figures per 100ml, then check the portion you expect to drink.
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Confusing lactose-free with dairy-free
A lactose-free shake may still contain milk, which matters if cow's-milk protein must be avoided.
Check the milk allergen information. If cow's-milk allergy is diagnosed or suspected, follow appropriate clinical advice rather than relying on a lactose-free claim.
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Comparing bottles without checking their size
A per-100ml figure does not describe how much you will consume from a whole bottle.
Compare drinks per 100ml first, then use the pack information to assess the amount you intend to drink.
Relevant brand references
These examples refer to particular drinks, not every flavour or product made by each brand.
Yazoo
A conventional flavoured dairy milkshake option, illustrated here by Yazoo Banana.
- Yazoo lists 1.1g fat, 0.7g saturates, 8.7g sugars and 3g protein per 100ml for Banana.
- Those figures should not be assumed for other Yazoo flavours; Banana contains milk.
Arla Protein
A milk-based protein-shake option for shoppers comparing protein alongside fat and sugars.
- Tesco lists 0.9g fat, 4.7g sugars and 5.7g protein per 100ml for Strawberry & Raspberry, with 26g protein per 482ml bottle; the product is labelled lactose-free.
- It still contains milk, so lactose-free status does not make it suitable for someone avoiding cow's-milk protein.
For Goodness Shakes
A milk-based protein-drink option represented here by the Chocolate 330ml product.
- Tesco describes this product as fat-free and lactose-free.
- The listing also identifies it as milk-based and made with sweetener; check the current ingredients and nutrition panel for your intended comparison.
Joybuy product options
These options include ready-to-drink milkshake-style yoghurt drinks and powdered meal-replacement shakes that require mixing. Check which format suits your plans for the match before comparing their labels.
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LIGHT UP Zero Control Avocado Kale Chia Seed Milkshake Yoghurt Drink, 220ml × 3
A three-bottle yoghurt-drink option for a ready-to-drink choice during the match. It contains milk and is described as a yoghurt drink rather than a conventional milkshake. Check the current ingredients and nutrition label before relying on any no-added-sugar wording.
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LIGHT UP Zero Control Avocado Kale Chia Seed Milkshake Yoghurt Drink, 220ml
A single-bottle yoghurt-drink option for a ready-to-drink choice during the match. It contains milk and is described as a yoghurt drink rather than a conventional milkshake. Check the current ingredients and nutrition label before relying on any no-added-sugar wording.
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Slimfast Meal Replacement Meal Support Shake, Chocolate Flavour, 375g
This chocolate-flavoured powder requires mixing, so it is a different choice from a ready-to-drink match snack. Check the preparation instructions and nutrition values for the prepared drink before making a per-100ml low-fat comparison. It contains milk.
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Slimfast Meal Replacement Meal Support Shake, Banana Flavour, 365g
This banana-flavoured powder needs preparing before the match rather than opening and drinking. Check the preparation instructions and nutrition values for the prepared drink before making a per-100ml low-fat comparison. It contains milk.
Questions about choosing a milkshake
What does low fat mean on a liquid milkshake label in the UK?
UK Department of Health and Social Care guidance sets no more than 1.5g fat per 100ml for a liquid making a low-fat claim. Check the per-100ml panel to compare bottles of different sizes.
Is fat the only figure worth checking for a match-day milkshake?
No. Compare sugars, saturates and the amount you expect to drink as well as fat. GOV.UK explains that traffic-light labels can help compare fat, sugar and salt, while the NHS advises checking these figures on dairy-product labels.
Is a lactose-free milkshake also dairy-free?
No. A lactose-free dairy shake can still contain milk proteins. If you need to avoid cow's milk, check the allergen label and choose a suitable dairy-free product rather than relying on its lactose-free status.
Does a protein milkshake replace a meal during a match?
Do not assume that from a protein claim. Check the product's intended use, preparation instructions and nutrition information; a ready-to-drink protein shake and a powder labelled as a meal replacement are different products.