Dinner options—If you want great recipes, buy that Weight Watchers book called “Take Out Tonight.” Almost everything in there is easy, delicious and in the 6-8 point range per serving. Of course, the WW subscription website also has great options, but nothing beats this particular book. I also like the option of a burger made with lean ground beef on an English muffin with ketchup, mustard and pickles….for 5 points. And you can even eat frozen French fries if you bake them in the oven and stick to a single serving, which is usually between 2 and 3 points. The key is to stick to the serving size. Heck, I think even a McDonald’s regular hamburger and small fries is something like 11 points in case you need that fix. Another good dinner is if you split a Totino’s cheese pizza (7 points) and pair that with a salad with fat free dressing or balsamic vinegar (0 points) and Progresso light WW approved soup (0 points) you have a filling meal that feels like you’re cheating.
Dessert options—You can’t really go wrong with any of the Weight Watchers ice-cream options, which are between 1 and 3 points. There are other brands of light ice-cream bars that are low in points, so review your options at the grocery store. Those sugar-free Jell-O pudding cups are also usually one point and I believe sugar-free gelatin is zero points. Most single pieces of chocolate are in the 1 point range, but the key is to have just one and savor it. Really, that’s the key to most of this diet plan.
Alcohol—Red wine or light beer is 2 points, but here is the best option if you like beer—Miller Genuine Draft 64 calories is only 1 point per 12 oz. How beautiful is that? I think we saw a Bud Select 55 calories in the store the other day as well that would also be in that 1 point range.
Work out—You can gain valuable points by working out, usually between 1-3 points per day depending on what you do. This is good for you anyway, but an added bonus to earn those points.
In summary, this is an easy diet to follow if you have good self-control with portions, because it allows you to eat really anything you want, within reason. But if you eat a lot of these high salt options I’ve outlined, be sure you’re drinking a lot of water. You should do that and work out anyway, but especially if you are eating lots of salt. Good luck!