Tips for Healthy Holiday Eating

KEEP THINGS ‘LIGHT’ THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

WITH TIPS FOR HEALTHY HOLIDAY EATING

Lighter Alternatives from CABOT^® CREAMERY

Are Now Available at Tampa Bay Area Retailers

This season, why not let “holiday lights” refer to making
healthy choices at festive gatherings as well as to the colorful decorations.

Learn how to avoid putting on extra pounds during the
holiday season by substituting healthy and delicious light alternatives for heavier ingredients and by approaching parties and meals with a plan for moderation.

Let’s face it, the holidays aren’t necessarily the best time
to think about your waistline.  Office parties, home entertaining, and eat-on-the-run schedules can wreak havoc with your weight.  But there are plenty of
things you can do to hold the line – especially when planning your holiday menu.

“Admittedly, the holidays are not the best time to try an
entirely different approach to cherished family recipes,” says Regan Jones, Registered Dietitian and Cabot Creamery Cooperative’s National Nutrition Communications Manager. “But you can certainly make improvements. The easiest thing you can do is switch to reduced-fat dairy products in traditional family favorites. I use Cabot’s Sharp Light Cheddar in all of my casseroles and nobody can tell the difference. It tastes and cooks
like regular cheddar - but with half the fat and more protein. The protein is key in making dishes that are satisfying and keep folks feeling fuller longer -
and not going back to the buffet for seconds!

“I also replace some of the butter, sour cream and whipping cream called for in holiday recipes
with Cabot Greek-style Yogurt,” Jones continued.  “It has a rich taste, with more protein and fewer calories.  And
making the switch is easy using Cabot’s Greek-Style Yogurt Substitution chart as my guide.”

Jones says “party grazing” can be detrimental to your diet,
so she offers up effective tips to minimize the extra pounds people tend to gain during the holidays.

• Think “strategic placement” at holiday parties.  While others may worry about locating themselves near the life of the party, try to locate yourself away from the
chips and dip, especially if a meal is to be served.

• Don’t “drink away” all your good efforts.  No matter how good your strategy is for choosing healthier foods during the holidays, imbibing can be your calorie downfall.  The best solution is to alternate your beverages with a glass of water or club soda. You’ll stay better hydrated, plus keep
calories in check.

• Snack on “Light Cheddars” like Cabot’s Sharp Light, Sharp Extra Light, Jalapeno Light, and Pepper Jack Light.  Each variety offers between 50 percent and 75 percent less fat than traditional cheddars, and all have the great full flavor and cooking properties of Cabot’s regular cheddar.

• Be a “Light Conscious” host or guest – Be sure to offer
both regular cheddar and Light cheddars to your guests.  And it never hurts to bring a little something special to a party so consider making one of the following healthy
Cabot recipes for your favorite host the next time you are invited to a holiday party. www.cabotcheese.coop/recipes

To help extend that “holiday light” spirit throughout the
year, Cabot offers several wellness programs and events for employers, community organizations and faith-based groups. These include workshops, demonstrations of healthy cooking and educational materials on various dietary needs.

Cabot partners with employers to help employees make healthy choices through wellness programs and health fairs and by providing educational materials for company websites, bulletin boards, and employee kitchens and
break rooms. Webinars, workshops and healthy lifestyle competitions also help motivate employees to enjoy healthier lives.

Cabot also offers support for people who need diets that are lactose-free, gluten-free or heart healthy through information, chef demonstrations and co-sponsorship of various wellness programs and special speakers who
promote healthy living.

Age-appropriate materials also are available to help young
people learn healthy habits with the aid of coloring books and prizes and through special lesson plans offered to interested teachers.

Cabot Light Cheddar is available at Tampa Bay area grocery stores including Walmart, Albertsons,
BJs, Costco, Publix, Richard's Whole Foods, Sweetbay Supermarket & Winn-Dixie.

Cabot Creamery Cooperative has been in continuous operation in Vermont since 1919, and makes a full line
of cheeses, yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese and butter. Widely known as makers of “The World’s Best Cheddar,” Cabot is owned by the 1200 dairy farm families of Agri-Mark, the Northeast’s premier dairy cooperative, with farms located throughout New England and upstate New York. For more information on Cabot, visit: http://www.cabotcheese.coop