Parfait in French actually means perfect. One of the most amazing benefits of a yogurt parfait is that it provides an easy to make portable and, most importantly, balanced small meal. You can have it for breakfast or for a quick snack in the middle of the day. A yogurt parfait is composed of all the major food categories - protein, carbohydrates and a small amount of fat. This perfect mix allows your body to take full advantage of the nutrients provided by each type of food.
Much of the dish's health benefits come from how completely customizable it is, with your choice of yogurt, grain and fruit. Usually, yogurt parfaits should be prepared ahead of time. They taste better that way! I usually make them the night before, but we have kept them in our refrigerator for 2-3 days and they taste fine. If you don’t like soggy granola you may want to add it just prior to eating.
Double Berry Yogurt Parfait Recipe:
INGREDIENTS
- 1 32 oz container of whole milk plain yogurt
- 1 16 oz bag of a frozen berry medley, with blueberries and raspberries
- 1 1/2 – 2 cups of granola
- 1 1/2 tablespoons of French Vanilla Leaner Creamer
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a mason jar, layer yogurt and mix the French Vanilla Leaner Creamer, frozen berries, and granola. Refrigerate overnight.
Keep in mind that yogurt parfaits are also a great option when you are out of the house and in need of a healthy snack. Usually, fast-food restaurants and coffeehouses have parfaits in their menu. Before you make your decision we recommend that you take your time to read the label and take into account the calorie and fat information. The healthier option will always be making it at home, where you can control the ingredients you want to use.
Watch out for your granola
Granolas that are composed of nuts and seeds provide a good source of unsaturated fats but unfortunately, even these can add up. Ideally, look for granolas with two to three grams of fat per 1/4 cup. Granolas can also be loaded with sugar. While some of the sugar content can come from dried fruit but you should try to stick to six grams or less per serving and look for sugar additives in the ingredients list.
* References from Healthline and Livestrong
