How to Make Weight Watchers Meals Ahead of Time

Staying on a Weight Watchers diet plan can be easier if you already have your dinner prepared before you get home from work. Make ahead meals either need only reheating or no cooking at all. Most meals can be made up to a week in advance, and frozen for reheating. That is as fast as a TV dinner, but healthier and within the points guidelines of your Weight Watchers plan. Stocking your freezer full of healthy foods will help you stay on within your daily points range.

Things You'll Need

• Heavy duty aluminum foil
• Measuring cups
• Labels
• Food thermometer

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Instructions

• 1

  Prepare two Weight Watchers approved entree recipes on Sunday, enough to serve six to eight people, or make six recipes to serve two to three people each for more variety during the week. Repeat the recipe preparation with two to six different Weight Watchers approved side dish recipes such as steamed vegetables or baked fruit. Weight Watchers-approved recipes will have the points value on the recipe to help you appropriately incorporate the point totals into your diet.

• 2

  Lay out 14 plates. Evenly portion out the entree and side dish recipes among the plates, keeping within the serving suggestion amount on the recipe. Use measuring cups to be precise with the portion amounts. For instance, if a recipe suggests a 1 cup serving, fill a measuring cup to the 1 cup level and place it on the plate.

• 3

  Cover plates of food with a second plate turned upside down. This second plate helps protect the food from being crushed in the freezer, and aids in moisture when you reheat the dish.

• 4

  Wrap each set of two plates with heavy-duty aluminum foil to keep freezer odors away from the food.

• 5

  Affix a label to the outside of the foil. Include the name of the entree and side dish, and the points value for each item. This way, you can easily reach for a meal that is within your points range for that day. For instance, if you used some more points than usual for an unexpected treat at the office, opt for a lower points-prepared dinner.

• 6

  Place four plates into the refrigerator which you expect to eat for lunch and dinner over the next two days. Freeze the remaining prepared meals until you are ready to reheat them.

• 7

  Remove the aluminum foil from the plates, and microwave the meal with the second plate on top on high power until it cooks through and the internal temperature of the food reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a food thermometer to determine the correct temperature. This could take between three minutes and 10 minutes depending on the food being reheated, and whether the dish was frozen or refrigerated.

• 8

  Prepare a batch of a cold entree salad from a Weight Watchers-approved recipe. Increase the amount of seasonings and spices and use bold, low points condiments such as flavored vinegar or mustard. Refrigerate this salad for up to three days for serving as a no-cook option for a fast lunch.