I wanted to share with all of you one of my favorite snacks of late.

1 cup Dannon Light & Fit Yogurt, vanilla

1/2 t. cinnamon

2 T. ground flaxseed

1/2 – 1 cup of fruit (red grapes, strawberries, or blueberries)

This snack is a great mini-meal for post-workout, or when you want a sweet bite in the late afternoon. Using red grapes increases the carbohydrate count to 42 grams, while protein is at 12 grams (total calories 270). If you’re at a stage in your eating plan where you are trying to limit the more “sugary” fruits, try blueberries or strawberries instead. Add a cup of skim milk for an additional 8 grams of protein.

Cinnamon & flaxseed both have great health benefits. Cinnamon has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol and ease arthritis pain. It has an anti-clotting affect on blood (like aspirin does), fights off bacteria, and has a regulatory effect on blood sugar. Flaxseed also lowers cholesterol and stabilizes blood sugar. It is the omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseed that make it so beneficial. Flaxseed has also been shown to lower the risk of many types of cancers, as well as decreasing inflammation associated with arthritis!