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Good Foods to Eat on Weight Watchers

Weight Watchers (WW) is a food and lifestyle plan that has been very effective for many people. The great amount of leeway in eating is a bit confusing for some people, however. With so many choices for every meal, it's difficult to pin down exactly how to distribute your "points." In the Weight Watchers system, every food has a point value depending on its calorie, fat and fiber count. With a little planning ahead and some smart choices, you can eat mostly healthy foods and enjoy treats as well.

  1. Fruits and Vegetables

    • Fruits and vegetables will make up a great amount of your menu on WW. At least half of the surface of every plate should be covered by vegetables and fruits. Fruits and vegetables are high in fiber, so they help you to stay fuller longer, and they are lower in calories as well. The key to losing weight on WW is to keep yourself feeling full and not deprived, and fruits and veggies are the key to this. Eat some at every meal, including snacks, to make at least five half-cup servings per day. A serving might be half a green pepper or 10 baby carrots with some ranch dressing, or half a cup of broccoli in your pasta alfredo or a cup of strawberries with some fat-free whipped cream.

    Whole Grains

    • Healthy whole grains will give you energy and also contribute to feeling full and satisfied. Whole wheat breads and pastas, oatmeal, brown rice and quinoa are all great sources for whole grains.

    Lean Meats

    • Losing weight doesn't ever have to mean giving up your favorite meals. Steak, chicken, pork and seafood can all be part of a healthy meal plan. Protein is very important for building healthy, lean muscle, so if you're earning activity points, you need to eat extra protein. Grill your steak, use crockpots, broil and roast meats, put shrimp in your pasta or salad. There are many healthy ways to cook protein. Stir fry can be a tasty way to add protein as well, as long as you limit the amount of oil you cook in to around 2 tbsp. per serving.

    Healthy Oils

    • A healthy lower fat diet doesn't mean no fat. Your body needs healthy fats on a daily basis. Fat keeps your skin supple and hydrated, keeps your hair shiny and healthy, helps digestion and adds needed nutrients. You need two servings of healthy oils, such as olive oil or flaxseed oil, every day. And although it doesn't count as an oil serving, avocado has healthy fat as well and makes a tasty addition to many meals.

    Snacks and treats

    • Weight Watchers doesn't mean depriving yourself, so snacks and treats should definitely be part of your food plan on a daily basis. Try Granny Smith apple slices with fat-free caramel dip, or air-popped popcorn sprinkled with bbq seasoning. Strawberry shortcake, Laughing Cow cheese and crackers, and baked chips and salsa can all be surprisingly low in points. Try diet root beer and low-fat ice cream for a root beer float. Whatever your snack craving, there's a way to fit it in with the Weight Watchers lifestyle.

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