Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Weight Watchers Meal Ideas

Starting a new diet can be scary, especially one like Weight Watchers that gives you so many choices. It is easy to settle into the Weight Watcher's plan, however, with some thinking ahead. You can make anything you like that stays within your points range; however, there are some great general meal ideas that can get you started. Remember there are always ways to subtract or add points from your meal depending on your requirement.








Breakfast


A great Weight Watcher's breakfast is full of filling foods that will keep you energized throughout the morning. An example of a low point breakfast would be an omelet made from one egg and one egg white, filled with diced peppers, onions and low-fat cheese. Pair the omelet with a cup of fat-free milk, toast with margarine and your daily multivitamin. If you are eating on the go, try a smoothie made with fresh fruit, yogurt and ice. Or, if you're in a hurry, a bowl of fiber cereal or Kashi with a half cup of fat-free milk and some berries on top is a good way to start your day. Many Weight Watchers members are afraid of using up too many points at breakfast. Eating well in the morning, however, can help keep you from overeating later in the day.


Lunch


For a lunch at home, try a big, healthy pasta salad. Skip the fatty mayonnaise, and instead cook some whole wheat pasta. Mix a vinaigrette with some balsamic vinegar and orange juice instead of oil. Toss the pasta and the dressing together with some apples and pecans, then serve it over a bed of your favorite lettuce. The great thing about salads is that you always can substitute or add ingredients. If you're eating at work, make your lunch the night before. A can of tuna with salad dressing as opposed to mayonnaise, served on whole grain bread with some lettuce and tomato, is a great, easy sandwich. There are many varieties of baked chips on the market, but for a healthier choice you should eat some fruit with your lunch.








Dinner


Dinners on the Weight Watcher's plan offer the most variety of any meal. Generally, you have more time to cook dinner, and you can sit and enjoy it. Instead of boring old chicken, try grilling a turkey burger and serving it with some long grain rice and roasted vegetables. Roasting your veggies is easy--preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit, season your vegetables with a mix of salt, pepper and extra virgin olive oil (make sure to count your points for this), place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and roast them for about 45 minutes. They taste much better than plain steamed broccoli. For a quick and easy weeknight dinner, pasta is always a good choice, served with some tomato marinara and crushed garlic.

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