Health Break - Fresh Fruit Cocktail with No Fat Greek Yogurt

For years I have prided myself on eating a yogurt a day.

The kind that comes pre-packaged in handy little containers that I can enjoy as an after lunch snack.

But it's been just recently that I've gotten into fat free, probiotic Greek yogurt.

I buy it plain and sweeten it with real maple syrup, honey, or splenda, and add my own fresh fruit, a sprinkle of nutmeg or cinnamon, and have to tell you, I could never go back to the pre-packaged stuff.

Fresh sweet fruit and yogurt make a beautiful snack

I invested in a set of small sealable containers from the dollar store for easy lunch time transport - which have the added benefit of being good for the environment because I am re-using them.

A few tidbits to think about...

• Eating yogurt may help with digestion, but for yogurt to have this positive effect, read your label and make sure it is listed as having live bacteria. As well, the bacteria will pass through your digestive system within a day or two, so to ensure that it is in your intestines at all time, you should eat yogurt every day.
• Yogurt is rich in calcium, which is essential for maintaining colon health and reducing the risk of colon cancer.
• Calcium works with the live cultures found in some yogurt to increase absorption by the bones, making yogurt an excellent choice to help prevent osteoporosis.
• Yogurt is an important source of calcium for people who have difficulty digesting the lactose (sugar) in milk, because yogurt contains lactase -– the enzyme we need to break down lactose for proper digestion.
• Yogurt is rich in protein, B vitamins and essential minerals and low in carbohydrates. It's also low in fat (if you choose yogurt made from nonfat or low-fat milk).
• By preparing your own yogurt at home with fresh fruit, you avoid eating additives, colouring, hidden sugars, and other unwanted ingredients.

The road to better health is, perhaps, best paved by small changes that add up over time.

Perhaps preparing fresh, fruity, snacks and desserts using no fat, plain Greek yogurt might be one of them.

Until next time, happy eating!