Hi Everyone! How are you all doing? One of the questions I’ve been asked the most since starting the Weight Watchers Smart Points program is…what do you eat and how are you making the program work for you? I thought it would be good to pop in to give you all a recap of my Weight Watchers Smart Points thoughts after working the program for one month.
First the exciting part ~ I’ve lost 6.2 lbs on the program and actually lost this during the holiday season. That is something I can honestly say I am not sure has happened in quite some time. I did not feel deprived in any way when travelling or attending parties but definitely had quite a bit of learning to do to decide “is this food worth it” and how can I balance things out after that amazing piece of coconut pound cake or cookies from my family. Now that the holidays are officially over, I am looking forward to seeing what Smart Points can really do for me.
I have to say things are definitely getting easier now that I am figuring out what to eat on Smart Points and I feel “excited” about the plan again. I loved points+ but was in kind of a rut as I was “too comfortable” with working the program. My go to program will always be Simply Filling, however, I feel like Smart Points gives you a “controlled” version of Simply Filling by naturally making you focus on Simply Filling foods ~ it’s like the best of both worlds.
To help give everyone some ideas, here are some of the eats I’ve been enjoying along with their Smart Points Values.
BREAKFASTS:
Seriously, my favorite meal of the day and I always allocate about 6-10 points a day for it. It definitely helps get me through to lunch if I have protein to start my day along with a fruit and/or veggie to round it out.
My favorite breakfast at the moment involve Trader Joe’s Canadian Bacon 4 slices = 1 smartpoint. Saute with bell pepper, onion, mushrooms then scramble with an egg + egg white. Or simply toss with fresh tomatoes and basil for a tasty 3 smart point scramble.
Make your own English Muffins (make sure to make 18 versus 9) or buy the light versions for a delicious breakfast sandwich using sausage or canadian bacon with a “fried’ egg and hot sauce!
I also totally dig Quiches ~ I’ve been taking my Mini Crustless Kale Quiches and adding my Homemade Simply Filling Sausage (after it’s cooked) and making full size Sausage, Kale and Quiche Muffins for 4 smart points each.
Other breakfasts include:
- 2 pcs. Trader Joe’s Peppered Turkey Bacon or sausage, a scrambled egg & 3/4 c Ore Idea Western Potatoes “fried” in 1 tsp. oil for 6 smart points
- Breakfast Burritos – made with Bacon or Sausage
- Healthy Egg Roll for 5 smart points
- Banana 1 Tbsp Peanut Butter on a slice of 12 grain toast for 6 smart points.
- Hard Boiled Egg, Banana – 2 smart points
- And sometimes, just simply Slow Cooker Blueberry & Peach Oatmeal
LUNCHES:
Often my go to for lunch is a salad with protein ~ sometimes I plan my salads and other times I will make a salad out of the prior nights leftovers – like Nachos made into a Taco Salad.
Some of my favorite things for lunch other than salad:
Wraps! I wrap up 2 oz of turkey, ham or trader joe’s cooked peppered turkey bacon with veggies in La Tortilla Light Flour Wraps or these Ole Low Carb Wraps.
I am currently IN LOVE with Trader Joe’s Albacore tuna – did you know the entire can is only 1 smart point?! That definitely leaves enough to add mayo….here is how I make up my tuna and I scoop it up with crunchy crackers or put it on salad.
I am kinda loving that Sushi pretty much stayed the same point for point so I can grab this deliciousness just about anywhere for 1 smart point a piece.
On super busy weeks, I pick a recipe I want to try that The Husband will not eat, make it and divide it up into 5 containers for the week. If it makes more, I freeze those containers so I have lunch any day I need it. One recipe I am loving this winter is my Slow Cooker Two Pea Split Pea Soup. He is weird and doesn’t eat peas 😀
SNACKS:
I love snacks ~ they make me happy and my life would not be complete without them. I carry them with me everywhere I go as they have saved me so many times from devouring things when I get too hungry.
Most mornings include a tall, nonfat cappuccino with caramel drizzle just on the foam for 2 smart points.
I pair just about every snack I have with a fruit and/or vegetable (zero points):
- Sargento Light String Cheese – 1 smart point
- Hard Boiled Eggs – 2 smart points (2 egg whites = 0 smart points)
- 1-2 tbsp. nuts
- Celery & Carrots with 1 Tbsp peanut butter
Shrimp Cocktail 3 oz (about 12-14 large shrimp) for 1 point! Also one of my favorite things to bring to a party.
“Banana Chips” – 1 tbsp real deal peanut butter with banana slices – I LOVE these! They definitely go further when sliced into rounds versus putting the pb on a whole banana.
DINNERS:
Every week, I sit down and pick out 4-5 meals that we can make for dinner. I also try to include one leftover night and one night out. I typically pick 1 new recipe a week to try to keep things interesting.
Here are some of the dinners we have had this past month that we both loved!
Burgers without a Bun (The Husband doesn’t eat meatloaf but he eats these :D) – 7 smart points and served with a side of kale chips.
WW Best Ever Steak Sandwiches – 8 smart points – served with a nice salad on the side.
Pita Pizzas are so fun ~ build your own with your favorite toppings. You get 14 turkey pepperoni for 1 point or have 4 slices of that Canadian Bacon for 1 point…I add pineapple, peppers, onions, mushrooms and jalapenos or hot cherry peppers. You can use whole wheat pitas (Sara Lee Mr. Pita = 3 smart points for the entire thing) or use Flat Out Bread.
Weight Watchers Individual Chicken Pot Pies – 8 smart points a cup!
Nachos! Make your own “chips” to get 24 chips for 5 smart points, top with 3 oz turkey, 2 tbsp low-fat cheese and all your favorite nacho toppers for 10 points or less. You can also make breakfast nachos too.
I’ve also been making a few recipes out of my new Weight Watchers Cookbook – love the Lentil & Kale soup. My other goto’s for a quick dinner (pick any lean protein that you grill – chicken (5 oz = 3 sp), pork, steak), serve with veggies and these awesome smashed potatoes.
DINING OUT:
I haven’t quite built up my list of ideas for Smart Points for dining out as this new program change has also inspired me to get back in the kitchen.
My goto for breakfasts is always to get two eggs over medium, 2 pieces bacon, 1 slice whole wheat toast dry with the butter on the side in case I want it and tomato slices instead of potatoes. Usually 11 smart points and always satisfying.
My dining out strategy for lunches is a salad with protein, dressing on the side like this awesome BBQ chicken salad that I am totally recreating. The BBQ sauce gave it so much flavor, I didn’t really need the dressing.
For dinners, I choose a lean protein (Lobster and Shrimp are my favorite!), double the veggies and pick only 1 carb (either bread or a potato but not both). For those wondering, this is Mary’s Pizza Shack Protein Plate – chicken breast with garlic mushrooms and it comes with their house salad or soup – so good!
Rotisserie chicken is 1 for 1 – 1 oz = 1 smart point.
I haven’t braved Chipotle yet, but, I will go back and get my Chicken Salad Bowl – it should be around the same points as before.
Other things I am digging:
- Panda Express Bowl – Get the bowl filled with vegetables and topped with a scoop of Kung Pao for 7 smart points.
- Panera’s Chicken Soba Noodle Bowl with an apple is OK and counts as 10 smart points for the entire dish.
- Lettuce Wrapped Burger – toss the bun and save quite a bit on points. Habit Burgers is 7 points!
- Red Robin Chicken Ensenada Platter with 1 chicken breast is 6 smart points.
- Lobster & Filet with all veggies – my favorite steak dinner – varies depending on how you get it.
DESSERT:
I have made a bunch of Homemade Banana Ice Cream and Sundaes! Just count points for the toppings you use. This one was 4 smart points and worth every single one! We also divided up a 13 point brownie into 4 pieces so each “chunk” was 3 points. I broke that up over my sundae to have “brownie bits” in my ice cream – so good!
Strawberry Banana Ice Cream – 0 smart points – just count the cone!
Other than that, my desserts have been 2 smart points Dove Chocolates or fruit.
What is one of your go to meals or snacks?
I would love to hear your awesome points find, meal ideas and what is working for you so we all can build one awesome list of ideas.
Have a fantastic week everyone!
great job! And your food looks amazing.
I’m starting ww at work in 2 weeks and can’t wait. I’m going to start posting recipes with SP from now on my blog. I’ll come here for inspiration!
Your recipes look amazing. The blueberry and peach oat meal looks like something I would die for lol
Really appreciated the information tonight. Gave me some good ideas. Didn’t officially join ww, but am doing it on my own.
Enjoyed your blog today – gives us some great ideas for smart points. Just wondering, the Mary’s Pizza Shack protein plate – the chicken covered with mushrooms and the soup or salad – do you know the smart points. We travel Highway 80 frequently and pass by Mary’s a lot. Would love to try it. thanks.
Also, good to have you back, you have been missed.
Thank you for your food inspirations. It gives me ideas and makes me think outside the “box”. I’m not a big bread eater but I’ve found nature harvest light multigrain bread. 40 calories per slice = 1 smart point. Great for making croutons and sandwiches. As always, that you for your posts.
Thank you for being so generous with your sharing. So helpful!
Joan
Loved the ideas. Def going to follow you on my journey. Any crock pot recipes? I am out most nights for practices and need to have dinner practically ready when we get home. The crock pot is going to have to be my best friend if I am going to avoid the dreaded drive-thru nightly. Thanks!!!
One of my new fave snacks is the trader joe’s tzaziki sauce. Great dip for veggies!
I also have been making the zero point veggie soup and keeping that on hand for snack attacks.
Hey Great recipes!
Didn’t know if you knew or not but the ice cream you do have to count the mashed banana. 🙁 If you put it in your weight watchers recipe make and put that its mashed or pureed if changes the point value. Same goes for cauliflower SO SO SAD 🙁
Hi Jenn,
Thanks for the comment. The banana Sundae is one way I tweak the program. I keep my serving in check by not using more than 1 banana and as long as I am losing, I’m good with that.
Danica
Hi Danica-
I am going to try ww again. What program do you recommend for a second time around?
So happy you are back blogging!
Thanks for the great ideas-
LK
is dried fruit still one point? THATS IT is a fruit bar for 100cal and only has fruit. Wondering about its smart points
just came back from my ww meeting and wanted to point out an error verified by the ww leader for smart points – fruit is still 0 but if it is blended into a smoothie or ice cream – all fruits then are assigned a smart points value other than 0 but with veggies it is not As straightforward
for example blended kale begins to use up points but squash does not
it is confusing and I think WW will be clarifying a bit more clearly
I keep seeing that fruit suddenly has points when it is blended. Why does the value of a strawberry change if I put it in a blender?? I’ve yet to see WHY it changes? Can anyone help?
Hi Michelle,
I believe it really has more to do with the quantity/calories you would be eating versus if you ate the equivalent amount of fruit. As a general rule, your smoothie points will be lower if you use the same amount of fruit as you would eat in a regular meal or snack.
Here is a great article from Weight Watchers on the topic:
https://www.weightwatchers.com/us/m/cms/article/your-questions-about-fruits-and-veggies-answered
Thanks,
Danica
it was explained to me that A) you are changing the dynamics of the fruit, and B) you don’t use the same energy to eat and digest the fruit, there may be other reasons too, but this is how it was explained to me
Hi Danica,
Love your recipes. Do you know how many smart points are in your blueberry peach crock pot oatmeal? It looks delicious. Thanks for letting me know.
I am a little confused. It is my understanding that you count points for fruit if it is “blended”. Is not frozen fruit that is processed into “ice cream” I.e., using yo nannas machine, considered blended? I am new to this program and just may be unaware of some of the subtle differences. However, my smoothies and the texture of what comes out of my yo nannas machine are pretty much the same.
Where do I buy this weight watcher cookbook
Hey Danica, love the post. I am curious however what the Smart Points value was for Mary’s Protein dish? Looking forward to hearing as I am going there for a date tonight. Thank you!