Frozen Yogurt Bark (Photo courtesy of American Heart Association)

Dessert doesn't have to mean pies, cupcakes or chocolate sundaes. A nutritional treat like frozen yogurt bark adds a colorful new entry to the vocabulary of dessert.

"It's a great way to encourage more fruit consumption with something that's fun, delicious and healthy, rather than something like apple pie," said Penny Kris-Etherton, a registered dietitian and distinguished professor of nutrition at Pennsylvania State University's Department of Nutritional Sciences.

The frozen bark gets its color from mangos, blueberries and either blackberries or raspberries. That combination provides antioxidants, fiber, potassium and vitamins A and C, she said, while the almonds add texture and are "a fabulous source of vitamin E, fiber and good fat."

The recipe's main ingredient, Greek yogurt, is high in protein and promotes fullness. It also is an excellent source of calcium, potassium and vitamin D. To make the dish even healthier, choose non-fat yogurt instead of the low-fat variety and substitute fruit for honey, Kris-Etherton said.

"Honey is an added sugar. You could use a sweet banana instead, as well as some cinnamon, which adds flavor and acts as a sort of substitute sweetener."

Even without the substitutions, the frozen yogurt bark contains just 70 calories per serving.

"It's a nutrient-dense dessert that isn't loaded with calories like so many desserts are," she said.

If you have questions or comments about this story, please email [email protected].

3 ways to eat healthy at the office

3 ways to eat healthy at the office

A grade school crisis set the path for this pioneer in women's heart health

A grade school crisis set the path for this pioneer in women's heart health

These diets helped women with diabetes cut heart attack, stroke risk

These diets helped women with diabetes cut heart attack, stroke risk

Olive oil may lower heart disease risk

Olive oil may lower heart disease risk

Farms flourish and nourish in Philadelphia neighborhood

Farms flourish and nourish in Philadelphia neighborhood

How to get the most out of health apps

How to get the most out of health apps

Diet checkup tool, counseling can help heart health

Diet checkup tool, counseling can help heart health

Health apps pose privacy risks, but experts offer this advice

Health apps pose privacy risks, but experts offer this advice

Punch up your migas with more vegetables

Punch up your migas with more vegetables

To battle food inequity, a nonprofit helps neighbors eat healthy

To battle food inequity, a nonprofit helps neighbors eat healthy

Trendy microgreens offer flavor you can grow at home

Trendy microgreens offer flavor you can grow at home

Voucher program makes healthy eating easier for food-insecure people

Voucher program makes healthy eating easier for food-insecure people