I have partnered with Dannon Light & Fit. I have been compensated for my time commitment. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.

Happy November! I’m loving finallyyyy being all snuggly in my fall sweaters.

However! This time of year also means comfort sweets and desserts easily available – in the bakery on the walk home from work, at upcoming Friendsgivings, etc.

I get these types of questions a lot:

How often can I have dessert?
What dessert is best to have?
Whenever I eat sweets I feel like I blew my meal plan – how can I not feel this way?

I used to feel this way and have these same questions, so I hear you for sure.

Here are some key things to keep in mind, to have a more positive relationship with desserts 🙂

1. Focus on what you ENJOY eating

rather than just eating something “for the health of it”. For example, eating that dessert versus eating some vegetables… (and then eating the dessert afterwards anyway)!

2. Along with focusing on the foods you enjoy, do bring in nutrition principles

to help your body function at peak capacity! Making some healthy dessert swaps, while still treating yourself can be so rewarding.

3. Include dessert as part of the plan

Instead of feeling like eating a dessert or treat takes you off of your plan, make it PART of what you plan to eat in a day or week – feeling more in control makes a world of difference.

Some of my favorite comfort treats are:

A small chocolate bar
A small hot chocolate
A single-serving sized ice cream
A single-serving flavored yogurt

Dannon Light & Fit is one of my favorite treats BY ITSELF – because it’s not only a treat, but it’s also good for me. The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend eating more nutrient-dense foods, such as yogurt. Yogurt is nutrient-dense and many yogurts are a good source of protein and calcium. Greek yogurts typically contain more protein than regular yogurts! Eating even one yogurt every day can be an important first step toward creating a more balanced diet and a healthier lifestyle – which is what we’re all striving for!

I’m using Dannon Light & Fit Original Greek yogurts here – Dannon Light & Fit has better-for-you options that also fit an active lifestyle. And here’s why I love them 🙂

They have a ton of varieties of flavors and tastes
There’s 80 calories and 12 grams of protein per 5.3 oz per serving
The convenience of the cup all ready to go
Light & Fit can help make our meal routines easier!

If I’m feeling extra fancy, especially during the fall all warm in my NYC apartment, I like to bake a little something. Here’s an easy and tasty mug cake recipe – 5 minutes for prep AND cooking and it’s done done done!

Also, let’s all please have a moment of gratitude for the inherent portion control of mug cakes!

Ingredients

1 (5.3 oz. serving) Light & Fit Original Greek Blueberry Nonfat yogurt
4 Tbsp almond flour
1 egg white
¼ cup blueberries (to add on the top the mug cake, can use frozen if fresh is out of season and too expensive!)

Directions

Mix ingredients in a bowl
Bake in microwave for 3 minutes (this depends on the microwave, you may want to take it out at the 2 minute mark to mix it & make sure it’s not overflowing!)
Top with blueberries and light whipped cream if you like! Enjoy immediately

For more delicious meal and snack ideas with Dannon Light & Fit Original Greek Nonfat Yogurt, follow @Lightandfit on Instagram and use the hashtag #LightandFitRD #LightandFit.