Weight Watchers Food Ideas

Weight Watchers uses a system that encourages you to exercise portion control and eat to satisfaction over "diet foods" or special menus. Therefore, you can have anything you want within reason. This doesn't mean that you can eat a whole pizza for dinner and call it a day, but it does mean that you have the flexibility to include a slice along with some other wholesome, filling foods. When you understand which foods are going to keep you feeling full for a long time, you'll begin to see the benefits of eating on the Weight Watchers plan.

Breakfast

• A typical Weight Watchers breakfast might include low-calorie whole wheat toast with margarine, along with a glass of milk (or a latte) and a piece of fruit. If you have more weight to lose and need to eat more, you could add an egg or two. This big breakfast has about the same caloric content as a bowl of sugary cereal and juice. Yet, because it contains protein, healthy carbs and fruits, you'll remain satisfied long into the morning.

Lunch

• Lunch is a difficult meal for many people if they work or are running errands during this time. The good news is that even a plain burger from McDonald's can be eaten within the constraints of the Weight Watchers plan. You might not be able to have the Quarter Pounder with cheese, but by pairing the burger with some fruit or a serving of veggies, you're limiting your calories while keeping nutritionally sound. Of course, burgers aren't an everyday thing, and other Weight Watchers friendly lunches can be made at home and brought on the go. A turkey sandwich with low-fat cheese on whole-wheat bread with a handful of fat-free popcorn and an apple is one idea. Remember to keep your portions in check and plan your lunches ahead.

Dinner

• Dinner is where the Weight Watchers plan can really get fun. If you have favorite recipes that you're afraid won't fit into your plan, try making some easy substitutions. Replace hamburgers with turkey or veggie burgers. Change out plain old pasta for the whole wheat variety. Skip the broccoli with cheese sauce and try roasting it in the oven with some garlic, salt, rosemary and pepper. Dinner is a great time to get in the vegetables you may have missed earlier in the day, as well as important healthy proteins. One example of a Weight Watchers friendly meal would be a piece of grilled salmon served with some roasted red potatoes and a half-cup of green beans.

Snacks and Desserts

• The good news is that chocolate and chips are not verboten on the Weight Watchers diet. If you exercise portion control, you can have that ice cream tempting you from the freezer or a slice of cake at the next office party. However, there are changes you can make in your regular snacking and dessert habits that will keep you full and satisfied. Pretzels are a great alternative to greasy potato chips. Nuts--especially almonds--will fill you up quickly. Whipped cream over berries makes for a tasty dessert. Additionally, there are plenty of fantastic frozen yogurts and sorbets on your grocery shelves that are lower calorie but just as tasty as the real thing.