My New Favorite Snack: What to Add to a Yogurt Bowl

For years, I have loved the idea of eating yogurt but not loved all of the added sugars in so many yogurts on the market. What if you didn’t have to settle for sugary yogurt or for the off-taste in brands that have sugar alternatives? What if you could get even more protein into your yogurt while giving it a sweeter flavor? There are so many delicious things you can add to Greek yogurt recipes. I’m going to share my favorite base and some ideas of what to add to a yogurt bowl.

What to Add to a Yogurt Bowl: My Favorite Protein Powder

You can use any kind of protein powder to create different flavors of yogurt. My absolute favorite is Orgain Chocolate and Orgain Vanilla Bean Protein Powder. It’s also easy to add a little Peanut Butter Powder or creamy peanut butter for a peanut butter flavored yogurt. Feel free to experiment with other flavors. Keep in mind that you can always start basic and experiment with your mix-ins.

My Favorite Fruits When Deciding What to Add to a Yogurt Bowl

I love berries in yogurt, whether it’s strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries. Berries are full of anti-oxidants and other goodies our bodies crave. They’re also a great way to add a sweet flavor and some healthy carbs without majorly increasing the calories. Another fruit that is delicious in yogurt is bananas. I especially love to use a frozen banana, let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes to soften, and cut it up to eat in the peanut butter yogurt base. Be creative! If you have a favorite fruit, would it go with vanilla, chocolate, or peanut butter? If you think it will pair nicely, experiment and create a new favorite.

What to Add to a Yogurt Bowl for a Little Crunch

You can always add in nuts, such as pistachios or slivered almonds. You can even crumble up rice cakes and add that in. I have a friend who just introduced me to that idea if you want to change it up. My boys love adding chocolate chips into yogurt and smoothie bowls. Some of our favorite healthier chocolate chips are Bake Believe and Lily’s Chocolate Chips. You can also play around with other nuts and seeds.

I Love Adding Healthy Supplements into My Yogurt Bowls

I like to sprinkle in a little Creatine anytime I’m adding a little protein powder to a smoothie or yogurt bowl. It’s a great way to maximize my work in the gym and reap the other health benefits of Creatine. Feel free to add other supplements as well, depending on what goes with the recipe and your current health goals.

This entire recipe is centered around adding Protein Powder. The reason I love adding more protein to make a yogurt bowl super-packed with protein is because it is the building block for muscles. Having enough protein in your diet makes the difference between being flabby and toned, especially when you’re working out with weights on a regular basis. It is the tissue building block that helps you rebuild after a hard workout.

When you look at this recipe from a health viewpoint, it has 25 grams of protein, which is great. It is very low in fat and has about 9 grams of carbs. You can up the carbs even more by adding in toppings like fruit. The high protein, low calories, and healthy carbs make this a perfect snack to eat before or after a workout. It will give you the fuel you need for energy as well as the protein to help rebuild muscles.

Is Yogurt Healthy for You?

Yogurt has a lot of health benefits, including its positive impact on gut bacteria. When my kids were young, the pediatrician often recommended they eat yogurt when they were on an antibiotic to help rebuild their gut bacteria. It is also full of calcium, which is great for strong bones and teeth. Some people have an adverse reaction to dairy. If you’re one of those people, I would be careful with foods that don’t settle well with your body. That can be your body’s way of letting you know what it thrives on and what it doesn’t like.

Does the Brand of Yogurt Matter?

For me, this is totally a yes! I was making yogurt bowls and was really enjoying them as a late-night treat. However, my stomach would be all rumbly and gurgly afterwards. When I would eat it earlier in the day, I felt like I had a mild stomachache for a few hours afterwards. This almost made me quit with yogurt bowls. Almost…

I recently tried the Chobani brand of Greek yogurt and had no issues at all. I’ve been doing a protein-packed yogurt bowl nearly every day and feel great. Getting a good brand of yogurt, with just milk and live cultures, may be worth it for you. Before that, I had used the cheapest brand of Greek yogurt I could find. Just making this switch has made it totally worth using yogurt bowls as an everyday snack for me.

What to Add to a Yogurt Bowl is Completely Up To You…

The possibilities are endless. There are so many fruits, protein powder flavors, nuts, and other things you can add to mix up your yogurt bowl. You can experiment with spices like cinnamon or add a little honey or maple syrup. For a more “dessert” yogurt bowl, you could do chocolate chips and an indulgent fruit like raspberries. You can do a mixture of strawberries and blueberries in the vanilla. Really, you can mix and match to make it any way you like. The important thing is that you enjoy this health journey your on and that you come up with creations you love.

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