"New You" Yogurt Parfait

"New You" Yogurt Parfait

Ingredients:

Honey Greek yogurt

Raspberries

Walnuts

Dash of Cinnamon

A few drops of Lemon juice (optional, but you can't taste it)

I rave about my new favorite snack or dessert.  My husband even likes it and he's not in to the things that I am when it comes to healthy or clean eating!

Greek yogurt is becoming more and more popular, especially because of it's health benefits.  Yogurt with probiotics (healthy bacteria) helps clean up your gastrointestinal system (which will also make you regular).  Greek yogurt has twice the amount of protein than regular yogurt, a low amount of sodium for those needing low-sodium diets, low amount of carbohydrates (and therefore less lactose making it easier to digest than regular yogurt), calcium, and it also helps to curb hunger making it a great snack.  Do be weary of the amount of saturated fat, however.

Raspberries: one cup of raspberries contains 64 calories, 8 grams of fiber, vitamin C and vitamin K, calcium, magnesium, and potassium.  

The ellagic acid within raspberries help fight cancer cells with no damage to healthy cells.  Do go organic, though, raspberries were listed on the Enviromental Working Group's 2003 list of most contaminated produce.

Walnuts are "brain food."  They have the highest amount of omega-3 fats than any other nuts.  According to Andrew Stoller, M.D., there is a possibility that omega-3 fats can increase your mood.  Studies have shown greater attention, a decrease in behavioral problems, and less "ADD-like" behavior in those who consume higher amounts of omega-3 fats.

Loma Linda University claims that eating a few walnuts before meals lower level of hunger and may cause people to eat less at meals.

Though they are relatively high in calories for a nut, they are packed with protein, fiber, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, half of the daily value for manganese.  Manganese is essential for growth, reproduction, wound healing, peak brain function, and the proper metabolism of sugars, insulin, and cholesterol.

Cinnamon: According to an article published online by Women's health magazine, "Research has linked the copper-colored stuff with helping lower blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in people with type 2 diabetes, and a recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that adding a little more than a teaspoon to rice pudding even helped tame blood sugar in people without diabetes."

Plus, cinnamon can really bring in a great amount of flavor!

Benefits Of Greek Yogurt | LIVESTRONG.COM. (n.d.).LIVESTRONG.COM - Lose Weight & Get Fit with Diet, Nutrition & Fitness Tools | LIVESTRONG.COM. Retrieved January 14, 2013, from http://www.livestrong.com/article/86488-benefits-greek-yogurt/

Bowden, J. (2007). The 150 healthiest foods on earth: the surprising, unbiased truth about what you should eat and why. Gloucester, Mass.: Fair Winds Press.
Health benefits of Greek yogurt. (n.d.).Entertainment | Recipes | Love | Contests | Beauty | Parenting. Retrieved January 14, 2013, from http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/961123/health-benefits-of-greek-yogurt
Health Magazine. (2012, August 17). Cin City: Cinnamon Health Benefits | Women's Health Magazine. Women's Health: Health, Fitness, Weight Loss, Healthy Recipes & Beauty. Retrieved January 14, 2013, from http://www.womenshealthmag.com/nutrition/cinnamon-benefits-explained