Who knew dessert could be so healthy? If you opt for frozen yogurt, your body will thank you.

Frozen yogurt, or “Fro yo” as twenty-somethings and teenagers call it, has become a popular dessert delicacy. Some places have turned their businesses into “dessert lounges,” like the new store, Yogilicious, on McKinney in Uptown. With a self-serve style of frozen yogurt and fruit toppings, places like Yogilicious and Orange Cup are in a class of their own.

The first frozen yogurt chain, Red Mango, was founded in South Korea in 2002. It migrated to California in 2007, and was also the first natural frozen yogurt retailer to receive the National Yogurt Association’s Live and Active Culture Seal. After Red Mango, Pinkberry opened, which uses a powder-based frozen yogurt.

According to Yogilicious co-owner, Winston Phan, the live and active cultures in the frozen yogurt provides a good source of calcium, boosts the immune system, lowers cholesterol levels and promotes healthier skin. Nearly all of the flavors contain no fat and there are only six grams of sugar per ounce.

To make the frozen yogurt, Phan said they mix yogurt and concentrated flavors and for the sugar-free flavors, they use aspartame as a sugar substitute. Orange Cup targets calorie-conscious customers – each serving tells the calorie count. A popular small size cup at Orange Cup contains about 150 calories with three toppings, including dark chocolate.

Yogilicious’s consumer base is about 70 percent women, but now more men stop in. SMU student, Travis Newkumet said, “I wouldn’t come here if it was regular ice cream, but it’s healthy, so I come here a lot.” Orange Cup’s average customer is also female, but men are also eating there. Orange Cup customer Jesse Garcia said, “I couldn’t eat it for meals, but it is a healthy snack.”

So, when the option of dessert arises after dinner, choose frozen yogurt instead. It’s half the price and half the calories.