The holidays are coming... need healthier recipes.

Hey there!  Welcome to the group....unfortunately since you are not a current Weight Watcher member we are very limited in what can be shared here with you.  Remember, Weight Watchers is a copyrighted program so members are not at liberty to share too much.  Keep in mind with WW there are no forbidden foods.  Eat what you want, just watch your portions and count your points to make them fit into your DPT.  The good thing with a holiday is it is just that a holiDAY....don't make it a holiWEEK and you should be fine.  Get some extra APs for the week and remember to save all your extra points for the special day.  The weight watchers website has TONS and TONS and TONS of recipes....though I am not sure how many non members have access too, but it's worth checking out.  You can subscribe to the WW free newsletter through their website which is www.weightwatchers.com.  Too bad you aren't attending meetings right now because the next few weeks we will be discussing this very topic.  I am a leader with WW and am planning the next few weeks already.  The best thing to remember is you should enjoy your Thanksgiving.  Don't dread it.  Get out the recipes you love and start now by figuring how you can lighten them up.  Can you use light soup in the green bean casserole?  Can you skip the cole slaw and make a nice green garden salad?  Can you just serve cooked veggies instead of the traditional stuff?  Skip the appetizers....or if you have to have them serve some raw veggies with low cal dip.  Serving alcohol?  Make wine spritzers, makes the wine last longer and lightens up the points. 

Those are some suggestions....but keep in mind the more you cook the more you'll eat.  Keep it simple.  Don't starve yourself before hand, people that do that tend to eat 30% more calories.  Eat a good breakfast, drink lots of water and only fill your plate once.  Yes, you'll probably eat more points than you would on a normal dinner, but you don't have to blow it completely!  Good luck....I am sure others will post a few ideas.  Check our recipe thread for recipes too....there are hundreds there! 

Karen

Quoting toymomto2boys:

The best thing to remember is you should enjoy your Thanksgiving.  Don't dread it.  Get out the recipes you love and start now by figuring how you can lighten them up.  Can you use light soup in the green bean casserole?  Can you skip the cole slaw and make a nice green garden salad?  Can you just serve cooked veggies instead of the traditional stuff?  Skip the appetizers....or if you have to have them serve some raw veggies with low cal dip.  Serving alcohol?  Make wine spritzers, makes the wine last longer and lightens up the points. 

Those are some suggestions....but keep in mind the more you cook the more you'll eat.  Keep it simple.  Don't starve yourself before hand, people that do that tend to eat 30% more calories.  Eat a good breakfast, drink lots of water and only fill your plate once.  Yes, you'll probably eat more points than you would on a normal dinner, but you don't have to blow it completely!  Good luck....I am sure others will post a few ideas.  Check our recipe thread for recipes too....there are hundreds there! 

Karen

Thank you.  Those are already some good suggestions!  i do appreciate it!  I am trying to do my best on my own as money is tight right now.  It makes it harder to lose weight too as most of the unhealthy stuff is cheap.  I just want to be accountable and follow some type of diet and I know that WW has great success, so I am trying with what knowlege I know and I appreciate you sharing yours!

Hi!  I know that desserts weren't on your list but I have a fantastic super low point pumpkin pie recipe that everyone (even non-dieters) loves!  I know we can't share point values but one slice equals one banana...I hope that's within the rules...

No Crust Pumpkin Pie

1/2 cup reduced fat bisquick

12oz FF evaporated milk

2 egg whites

1 whole egg

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp cloves

1/2 tsp ginger

1 tsp vanilla extract

15 oz can pumpkin

3/4 cup splenda

Mix egg whites, egg, pumpkin, spkenda, bisquick, vanilla, and spices until smooth.  Stir milk in slowly.  Pour in 9 inch pie plate that has been sprayed with Pam or similar cooking spray.  Bake @ 350 for 35-40 minutes until knife comes out clean.  Let cool.  Serves 8 slices

I just thought I'd share a couple of websites with you too...try www.dwlz.com (dotti's weight loss zone) and www.hungry-girl.com.  They have a lot of recipes, foods, newletters, and eat out suggestions that an at home dieter following WW points would be interested in for free;o)  good luck!

Those are great sites list, and another I have found so helpful is

http://www.healthdiscovery.net/forums/

It's a forum (you don't have to sign up to view) and people share recipes, tips, etc!