Eat to Lower Inflammation with Vitamin C – Strawberry Cheesecake Parfaits

Several nutrients may be specifically important in helping to reduce inflammation, especially Vitamin C. Playing an important role in tissue repair, Vitamin C also helps keep bone, cartilage and connective tissue strong – aiding in relief for arthritic inflammation and pain. The USDA recommends 75 milligrams per day of Vitamin C for women and 90 milligrams for men. Foods high in Vitamin C include bell peppers, kale, spinach, and berries such as strawberries.

I love this time of year because that means local produce is bountiful – especially the strawberries! Produce stands are bursting with local seasonal selections. As delicious as they are picture-perfect, these Strawberry Cheesecake Parfaits are the perfect way to enjoy a creamy, berrilicious Vitamin C-rich treat – no cooking required! Any time a recipe calls for yogurt or Greek yogurt, either is fine. I like Greek yogurt as it is a richer, creamier and thicker yogurt, especially in this dessert, but make sure to get vanilla flavor. Best of all, strawberries are one of the top ranking antioxidant-containing foods and research shows they may also help improve and stabilize blood sugar.

Strawberry Cheesecake Parfaits from Holly Clegg’s trim&TERRIFIC KITCHEN 101: Secrets to Cooking Confidence cookbook is a fabulous no-cook dessert! This berry and cheesecake combination creates an explosion of flavor for cheesecake fans.

Strawberry Cheesecake Parfaits

Makes 8 parfaits

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound strawberries, stemmed and sliced
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 (8-ounce) reduced-fat cream cheese
• 1/2 cup plain or vanilla nonfat Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 1/2 cups frozen nonfat whipped topping, thawed, divided
• 2/3 cup graham cracker crumbs
• Mint, garnish, optional

DIRECTIONS

1. In bowl, sprinkle strawberries with sugar, toss and set aside.
2. In mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, yogurt, confectioners sugar and almond extract until smooth. Fold in 1/2 cup whipped topping.
3. To assemble parfaits, in small dish or glass, layer graham cracker crumbs, cream cheese filling, and strawberries. Repeat layers if small enough dish and end with dollop of whipped topping. Garnish with mint, if desired.

Nutritional Information per serving:
Calories 188 Calories from Fat 34% Fat 7g Saturated Fat 4g Cholesterol 20mg Sodium 170mg Carbohydrates 25g Dietary Fiber 1g Total Sugars 17g Protein 6g, Dietary Exchanges: 1 1/2 other carbohydrate, 1 lean meat, 1 fat

Terrific Tip: Any berries or a combination may be used.

Written by: Holly Clegg, Culinary Expert

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About the Author

With over 1 million cookbooks sold, Holly Clegg, known as the “Queen of Quick” has become a healthy culinary expert on practical easy, healthy recipes through her best-selling trim&TERRIFIC® cookbook series, including the more health focused cookbooks, Diabetic Cooking with the ADA, Eating Well Through Cancer and Eating Well to Fight Arthritis. Clegg has appeared on Fox & Friends, NBC Weekend Today, The 700 Club, QVC, USA Today, Web MD, and The Huffington Post. She has partnered with Wal-Mart and is currently working with Albertsons, Inc., Baylor Hospital in Dallas and has a partnership with Our Lady of Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge. Her phone app, Mobile Rush Hour Recipes has over 50,000 subscribers. Visit www.hollyclegg.com or http://thehealthycookingblog.com

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