I learned early on that sugar (in any form, natural or refined) only exacerbated bad behavior with my children. I also had gestational diabetes with my fourth pregnancy, and learned that my blood sugar, mood, energy levels, and skin was infinitely better when I didn’t eat too much sugar, or when I combined it with protein. So on a daily basis we tend to eat very little sugar, and when we do we always have protein too. That means I have to get creative! I have made protein fudgsicles, yogurts, and protein balls/bites, but none have excited me as much as this one. I could see it being a really pretty centerpiece in a trifle dish, and the ease and nutritional aspects make it a no brainer. I know we’ll be eating a lot of it this summer!
BANANA CREAM PARFAIT (recipe below makes 4 individual ramekins)
INGREDIENTS
1 cup vanilla yogurt (we like trader joes, 365 organic whole milk vanilla, vanilla kefir, and my vanilla fage recipe below)
~ 1/2 cup crushed graham crackers or vanilla wafer cookies
2 bananas
whipped cream for serving
Vanilla Fage Ingredients:
1 cup fage 5%
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tablespoon maple syrup
pinch of Maldon salt
INSTRUCTIONS
If making the vanilla Fage, mix ingredients until thoroughly combined. The result should be sweet, but not overly. The bananas and graham crackers will be the “sugar” in the dish. Taste and add a touch more maple syrup if necessary.
Layer each ramekin with about 2 tablespoons crushed grahams or until the bottom of the dish is covered. If making one large parfait, layer on the bottom of your dish until completely covered.
Slice 1/2 a banana into thin slices and add on top of your graham crackers. Follow with 1/4 cup of your vanilla yogurt. If making one large parfait, you could mix them into your yogurt, or layer in the same way with 2 bananas sliced followed by your cup of yogurt.
Top with whipped cream and garnish with grahams and bananas!