7 Ways to Hack Your Breakfast with Yogurt

Yogurt can help make busy mornings less stressful AND delicious. I’m sharing 7 ways to hack your breakfast with yogurt!

PB Banana Baked Oatmeal with Strawberry Greek Yogurt

This post was created in partnership with Dannon Light & Fit. I have been compensated for my time commitment. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.

It’s no secret that I’m obsessed with breakfast, especially protein at breakfast. Yogurt can help make busy mornings less stressful- whether eating right from the cup, making a simple parfait or a breakfast bake, yogurt can be part of a simple and nutritious breakfast. I’m sharing some of my favorite tips plus those from my fellow registered dietitians to bring you 7 ways to hack your breakfast with yogurt.

I stock my fridge with Dannon Light & Fit yogurt because they offer a delicious variety of products to fit any eating occasion. Dannon Light & Fit Original Greek Nonfat Yogurt contains 80 calories and 12 grams of protein per 5.3 oz. cup. The texture is amazing and there are so many flavors to pair beautifully with any breakfast dish.

My favorite way to hack your breakfast with yogurt is to top whole grain pancakes, French toast or baked oatmeal with flavored Greek nonfat yogurt. The creaminess and sweetness of the yogurt make syrup unnecessary, so you save lots of calories from simple sugars.

7 ways to hack your breakfast with yogurt

This scrumptious morning meal features Dannon Light & Fit Toasted Coconut Vanilla Greek Nonfat Yogurt layered between whole grain pancakes and topped with mixed berries and unsweetened coconut flakes. It’s super easy and a really delicious way to begin your day.

Check out more ways to hack your breakfast with yogurt from my fellow registered dietitians!

The Nutrition Twins, Tammy Lakatos Shames, RDN, CDN, CFT & Lyssie Lakatos, RDN, CDN, CFT, authors of The Nutrition Twins’ Veggie Cure and co-founders of  21-Day Body RebootTM  www.NutritionTwins.com

“We love to use flavored yogurt as a protein and flavor booster for our easy breakfast, On-the-Go oats.  We simply mix 1/2 cup rolled oats with Cherry flavored nonfat yogurt, 1/2 cup sliced cherries and a dash of cinnamon.  When we’re in the mood for a chewy texture, we stir and eat immediately.  For a smoother, creamier texture we mix it together in the evening and grab it in the morning.” 

Katie Sullivan Morford, MS, RD, Author of Rise & Shine and Best Lunch Box Ever

“Rather than piling parfait ingredients into a bowl, I like to spread a layer of yogurt over the surface of a salad plate. Top with chopped nuts, thinly sliced dates, whole grain granola and your favorite diced fruit. It’s a pretty presentation and you get all the goodies in every bite. Great as a part of a breakfast with fruits and whole grains.

Elizabeth Shaw, MS, RDN, CLT, CPT of Shaw’s Simple Swaps

“Add a boost of fiber! I’m a sucker for protein in the morning, but I recognize if I just go straight for the eggs or yogurt without adding some fiber in, I’m not as well rounded with my meal.  Whether it’s adding a boost of chia seeds, whole grain cereal and sliced fruit to my yogurt or extra veggies to an omelet, there’s a variety of ways to boost the fiber content alongside the protein of your AM meal.”

Jill Weisenberger, MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND, author of Prediabetes: A Complete Guide
“I look at vanilla yogurt as a blank slate, so I can use it to create almost any flavor I’m in the mood for or as a way to dig into whatever produce is in season. I use Greek yogurt for the extra protein and simply add a few favorites. These days I’m picking cinnamon, walnuts and fresh peaches or berries, almonds and mint. Yogurt, nuts and berries are all associated with positive health benefits, so I try to eat them often.  I’ll often choose yogurt, berries, cinnamon, nuts and muesli, and for a change of pace, I’ll use peach yogurt, cinnamon, raisins, nuts and muesli.”

Chocolate Raspberry Yogurt Bowl via Jess Cording

Jessica Cording, MS, RD, CDN, INHC of Jessica Cording Nutrition
“My absolute favorite yogurt hack is to mix a tablespoon of cocoa powder into plain Greek yogurt. I love the rich flavor and texture it adds, plus it’s a convenient way to add an extra 2 grams of fiber. I like to top it off with frozen berries and a drizzle of sunflower seed butter to help it feel even more filling. Feel free to add your favorite low-sugar whole grain cereal on top or enjoy a slice of whole wheat, multi-grain, or sprouted-grain toast on the side.

Bonnie Taub-Dix, RDN, creator of BetterThanDieting.com and author of Read It Before You Eat It – Taking You from Label to Table. 
“I find that the number one excuse for not eating breakfast in the morning is not having enough time. My clients complain that running out the door and catching a train, bus or car is the priority over starting their own engines with a breakfast that will provide them important nutrition in the morning. There’s no excuse for putting one of my fave fast meals together — you can do it all before going to sleep – Sweet Potato Smoothie.

Fill the bowl of a blender with 1 medium baked sweet potato (cooked), 1 container (5.3 oz) 0% fat Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk, ½ banana (frozen if possible), 1 teaspoon ground unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon chia seeds, and 2 ice cubes. Blend on high speed.”

Eating one yogurt every day is an important first step toward creating a more balanced diet and a healthier lifestyle. Yogurt can be part of a healthy eating pattern as a smart snack, convenient part of breakfast, delicious cooking ingredient, or a great choice for dessert.  I hope you’ve found some inspiration and motivation to hack your breakfast with yogurt. If you have any tips, tricks and ideas to share, please leave your ideas in the comments below.

For more delicious meal and snack ideas with Dannon Light & Fit Original Greek Nonfat Yogurt, follow @Lightandfit on Instagram and use the hashtag #LightandFitRD #LightandFit.

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7 Ways to Hack Your Breakfast With Yogurt