Strawberry Cheesecake Pudding Parfait (featuring Premier Protein)

Long-time readers...I know what you're going to say, ok? I KNOW. Yes this is the gamillionty-seventh cheesecake-inspired recipe on this blog.

But Google Analytics says 90+% of you reading this have never been to this blog before so...hi. I'm Nikki. And I like cheesecake!

But as we all know cheesecake can be fatty and sugary and all sorts of things that can cause certain gut-death. I won't lie. At 7 years post-op I do enjoy a bite or two of the real thing every now and again. 

And on regular days I have this.

Nik's Strawberry Cheesecake Pudding Parfait

(Makes 5-ish servings)

Ingredients:

• 1 box sugar-free instant cheesecake flavored pudding mix
• 1 container (11 oz.) Premier Protein shake (Strawberry or Vanilla works best, in my opinion)
• 6 oz. container plain Greek yogurt (Note: Do use plain, it cuts the sweetness of the pudding mix and the protein shake combined!)
• 1 oz. reduced fat cream cheese, softened (it amps up the cheesecake factor…)
• ¼ tsp. lemon juice
• About 10 strawberries (or 2 per parfait), hulled and sliced
• Whipped cream
• Optional (pictured): sliced almonds

Directions:

1. Place the instant pudding mix and protein shake in a mixing bowl and mix on medium speed about 2 minutes. (You want to work out any powder lumps.)
2. Add the Greek yogurt, cream cheese and lemon juice and mix again, until combined. Refrigerate at least two hours.
3. To assemble: place a few sliced strawberries at the bottom of a cup or bowl. Top with ¼ c. pudding mixture, then a dab of whipped cream. Repeat.

If you like a little crunch, you can use high-protein granola in there too. These days I like to crush a bit of Fiber One and add it as a layer.

I originally published this recipe on ObesityHelp.com and I did something unprecedented. I posted nutrition facts! (Dear folks new to Bariatric Foodie. I do not generally post nutrition facts for my recipes. Here's why.) But I'm going to make you head over there to get that information. It's a great site if you've not been there before...plus I can't be starting habits over here at Bariatric Foodie.

One habit I will keep, though, is posting outtake pics! Here you go:

There isn't a particular reason I didn't use this one at the top. I just didn't.

I usually use a slatted bench on my front porch to take photos (my porch is the only place in the ENTIRE house that gets good light!). But every once in a while I mix it up. This is actually my porch floor. I didn't like the pic because the right glass seemed skewed. #PerfectionistProblems

As I've said many times...direct overhead shots are my "comfort zone." I'm trying to get out of my comfort zone. Plus...it's a parfait. You gotta see the layers!