College wouldn’t be college without froyo—at least for us girls. Whether you’re having a girls’ day or a night on the town, almost every situation gets better with some froyo. With summer just around the corner, you might thinkthere’s no way you can eat froyo and fit into those short shorts. But all it takes is making a few simple adjustments to make froyo a healthy treat you won’t feel guilty about eating.
1. Opt for The Original Flavor
I know you love your peanut butter cup flavor or your cookies and cream. Even if these flavors are low in fat, they still have a ton of sugar! Some flavored froyos have as much as 250 calories in a 4 ounce serving (and no one ever eats just one serving). To make froyo healthier, opt for the original flavor and jazz it up with some healthy toppings. With only 94 calories per serving, the original tart flavor has much less sugar than those other designer flavors, meaning your blood sugar won’t spike as much after eating. Think of the original flavor as a blank canvas—with it you can create a ton of different low-cal treats!
2. Add Fresh Fruit
Who wants to pay five dollars for a pint of blueberries when you can load up on them at your favorite froyo spot? I always joke that fruit is nature’s candy, so eat up ladies! A diet rich in fruit will lead to clearer skin, shinier hair, and a healthier weight. Fruits like strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries aren’t just in season during the warmer months, but they also pack a decent amount of fiber and antioxidants, keeping you full much longer than if you simply added cookies and sprinkles.
3. Avoid Cookies, Brownies, and Other Cake-Like Toppings
The cookies, brownies, and cake-like toppings at the froyo bar are one giant froyo death trap. Full of refined sugar and oils, they offer no nutritional value and instead only pack on pounds. If you really like adding a crunchy component to your froyo, try a sprinkling of sliced almonds. Almonds are a great source of monounsaturated fat, giving your froyo yet another nutritional boost. If you’re a chocolate fiend, stick to a SPRINKLE of dark chocolate chips. Dark chocolate contains health-enhancing antioxidants and flavonoids, so as long as you don’t go overboard feel free to indulge.
4. Pick the Smallest Cup
No one (and I mean no one) needs a cup of frozen yogurt that’s the size of their head. I know you want your froyo to look all pretty and overloaded with crap so you can post it on Instagram with the hashtag #dessertsofig. But fat in your cup is only going make you a total fat ass. Besides, how many likes are you really going to get for that pic? Save yourself some calories (and social media dignity) by picking the smallest size cup.
5. Indulge in Whipped Cream and Sprinkles Instead of Hot Fudge or Caramel
What would ice cream or frozen yogurt be without whipped cream and sprinkles? Whipped cream and sprinkles are two safe, low-calorie options that can instantly make your froyo feel like a decadent dessert for relatively few calories. Pick these toppings as opposed to high fat and high sugar toppings like hot fudge and caramel. I don’t care if you’re Jennifer Lawrence—no one looks good with hot fudge dripping down their chin.
Let’s get one thing straight. By no means should you be indulging in froyo on the daily. If you really want some probiotics, cut the excuses and eat some plain Greek yogurt. But for those of us who like to occasionally reward ourselves and still keep our calories in check, froyo is a great alternative to ice cream and other high sugar desserts. Done the right way, froyo can definitely be part of your healthy eating plan.
Featured image via Pexels
