Dips are most often savory and served with diet-derailing chips, a no-no for a fitness-oriented nutrition plan. This sweet, buttery version is scooped up with crunchy apples and offers a nutritious and palate-pleasing change of pace. And since it's made with great-for-you ingredients like Greek yogurt and almond butter, you won't suffer any of the pitfalls of the salty, calorie-bomb dips offered in the super-market. So delicious is this autumn-inspired dip, you'll be counting down the minutes until snack time.
► It's Greek to me
Packed with protein, gut-friendly probiotics and bone-building calcium, Greek yogurt is a near-perfect snack option. And it can keep vending-machine temptation at bay.
► Switch hits
• Add a touch of sweetness with honey instead of maple syrup.
• Use cinnamon in lieu of allspice.
• Try low-fat cottage cheese in place of yogurt.
• Scoop up the dip with pear slices instead of apple.
► Go nuts
It's a little more costly, but almond butter is a nutritional upgrade from peanut butter. That's because it delivers more heart-healthy monounsaturated fat as well as the bone-strengthening trio of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus.
► Apple of my eye
Use in-season apples as a transporter from bowl to mouth and you'll reap a low- calorie nutritional windfall including healthy amounts of dietary fiber and the disease-busting antioxidant quercetin.
ALMOND YOGURT DIP WITH APPLE DIPPERS
Makes 4 Servings
1 cup plain 0% Greek yogurt
1/4 cup unsalted almond butter
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ginger powder pinch of salt
3 apples, sliced into wedges
1. Combine yogurt, almond butter, maple syrup, lemon zest, allspice, ginger powder and a pinch of salt in a blender. Begin by blending on low and work your way up to high speed until the mixture is smooth.
2. Place yogurt dip in a serving bowl and serve alongside apple wedges. The dip is best served chilled.
Nutrition facts (per serving): 196 calories, 8 g total fats, 0.5 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat, 62 mg sodium, 24 g total carbohydrates, 6 g fiber, 16 g sugar, 10 g protein
1 cup plain 0% Greek yogurt
1/4 cup unsalted almond butter
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ginger powder pinch of salt
3 apples, sliced into wedges
1. Combine yogurt, almond butter, maple syrup, lemon zest, allspice, ginger powder and a pinch of salt in a blender. Begin by blending on low and work your way up to high speed until the mixture is smooth.
2. Place yogurt dip in a serving bowl and serve alongside apple wedges. The dip is best served chilled.
Nutrition facts (per serving): 196 calories, 8 g total fats, 0.5 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat, 62 mg sodium, 24 g total carbohydrates, 6 g fiber, 16 g sugar, 10 g protein
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