I have partnered with Dannon Light & Fit. I have been compensated for my time commitment. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.

Christmas Eve and Day, office parties, holiday parties, Secret Santas or White Elephant gift exchanges with friends – you name it, they’re all upon us! 

These are such fun times to spend with family and friends, but, at all of these events, you can bet there will be lots of treats, and lots of difficult social situations surrounding those foods. 

Here are some typical situations I hear often, and how to combat them: 

Feeling like you never will eat this food again (or until next year)

Take a Tupperware with you or make a plate of seconds before you start eating – this way, you’ll know that you have some for later, and won’t feel anxious that this is the sole time you’ll ever be able to eat a particular food. You can also ask the cook for the recipe so you KNOW you can make it later! Practice being present during these events and enjoying time with family and friends. 

Family members pushing food

Well-meaning family members can often push us to “eat more! Finish your plate!” etc. You can always say: “I’m full, thank you that was so delicious, you’re such a good cook!”. No one can argue with whether or not you’re full! 

Someone pressuring you to eat a food that (s)he made

This recently happened to me – and I was in shock by how uncomfortable it made me! A good idea is to graciously accept the food but to save it for a later time, when you’re actually feeling hungry or in the mood for that particular treat. 

If you are bringing a treat to a party, here is a DELICIOUS recipe for coconut cookies (a swap for regular sugar cookies!). I kid you not – they taste great AND are have nutrients like fiber and iron thanks to the whole wheat flour.* 

Dannon Light & Fit is one of my favorite treats BY ITSELF – because it’s not only a treat, but it’s also good for me. The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend eating more nutrient-dense foods, such as yogurt. Yogurt is nutrient-dense and many yogurts are a good source of protein and calcium. Greek yogurts typically contain more protein than regular yogurts! Eating even one yogurt every day can be an important first step toward creating a more balanced diet and a healthier lifestyle – which is what we’re all striving for! 

I’m using Dannon Light & Fit Original Greek yogurts here – Dannon Light & Fit has better-for-you options that also fit an active lifestyle. And here’s why I love them 🙂

• They have a ton of varieties of flavors and tastes 

• There’s 80 calories and 12 grams of protein per 5.3 oz per serving 

• The convenience of the cup all ready to go 

• Light & Fit can help make our meal routines easier!

Here is the recipe with pictures! Let me know if you try them – I know you’ll LOVE them! 

Holiday Coconut Cookies 

Makes 3 dozen small cookies | Serving size 3 cookies 

30 minutes prep time | 10 minutes cooking time

Cookies 

• 2 1/4 cups whole wheat flour (yes whole wheat! The cookies taste great I promise)

• 1 tsp baking soda 

• ½ tsp baking powder

• 1/2 cup butter 

• 1 container yogurt 1 (5.3 oz. serving) Light & Fit Original Greek Toasted Coconut Vanilla nonfat yogurt 

• 1 ½ cups white sugar

• 1 egg

• 1 tsp vanilla 

1. Preheat oven 375 degrees 

2. Mix all ingredients

3. Roll into small balls an place on tin-foil lined cookie sheet (you don’t need to grease it) 

4. Pat down balls with a spoon so the cookies will be flat rounds 

5. Bake for 10 minutes 

6. Let cool before icing 

Icing 

• 3 cups powered sugar

• ¼ cup (4 Tbsp) butter, melted

• 1 container yogurt 1 (5.3 oz. serving) Light & Fit Original Greek Toasted Coconut Vanilla nonfat yogurt

1. Mix butter and yogurt together 

2. Add sugar 1 cup at a time and stir in 

3. Top with cooked with icing (and coconut flakes and cinnamon if you like!) 

Nutrition Facts for 3 cookies (without icing or toppings): 217 calories; 9 gm fat; 5 gm saturated fat; 123 mg sodium; 32gm carbs; 3 gm fiber; 15 gm sugar; 5 gm protein 

Nutrition facts were calculated by me!

For more delicious meal and snack ideas with Dannon Light & Fit Original Greek Nonfat Yogurt, follow @Lightandfit on Instagram and use the hashtag #LightandFitRD #LightandFit.

*Whole wheat flour provides 3 grams dietary fiber and 4% Daily Value of Iron per ¼ cup serving. 

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