Skinny Banana Split

Servings: 2

Equipment: double boiler, stove

How long does it take?

20 minutes

What's in it?

1 banana
2 scoops low-fat or fat-free chocolate ice cream or frozen yogurt
2 scoops low-fat or fat-free vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt
1 cup low-fat or fat-free fudge sauce
1 cup low-fat or fat-free nondairy whipped topping
2 teaspoons wheat germ
2 maraschino cherries

How to make it:

Fill the bottom of a double boiler with 2 inches of water. Bring water to a boil, and then reduce heat to medium. Place the top pan in the bottom pan of the double boiler, and pour the fudge sauce into the top pan. Leave the sauce to warm over medium heat for 10 minutes. Peel banana. Slice lengthwise down the center. Place each half of banana into its own serving bowl. Top each half with 1 scoop chocolate and 1 scoop vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt. Pour warm fudge sauce over ice cream or frozen yogurt, and top with whipped topping, a sprinkle of wheat germ, and a cherry.

Nutrition breakdown:
(using fat-free frozen yogurt, low-fat whipped topping, and low-fat fudge sauce)

Calories: 374 (10% from fat), Fat: 4 g (saturated fat: 2 g), Vitamin C: 88 mg (175% of the RDA), Vitamin B12: 1 mg (48% of the RDA), Riboflavin: 1 mg (43% of the RDA), Vitamin A: 330 IU (41% of the RDA), Vitamin B6: 1 mg (48% of the RDA), Magnesium: 96 mg (34% of the RDA), Calcium: 318 mg (27% of the RDA)

What's in it for you?

Eating low-fat versions of high-fat junk food is no license to chow with abandon. But normal portions of foods like low-fat ice cream and low-fat fudge sauce can be part of a healthy diet. Moderation is the key. Many processed low-fat foods contain hydrogenated fats, which act like heart-busting saturated fats. Check the ingredients of your favorites, and try to stay in the hydrogenated-fat-free zone.

Chef's tip:

Why use a double boiler? A double boiler is a set of pans that fit one inside the other. This setup is used when warming sauces and foods that would easily burn if placed in a pan directly over heat.