PointsPlus is the new program introduced by Weight Watchers. Due to a change in the points system, people are confused and wondering which are the recipes that fall under PointsPlus section…
Disclaimer: The team of Weight Watchers keeps updating the program, according to the requirements/feedback of their members. The program has been updated many times, the latest one being the Weight Watchers 360° program, which was unveiled on the 3rd of December, 2012. The program teaches members how to manage their food environment, claiming that we tend to eat what we see. It also guides people on ways to control their temptation, and to avoid pleasure eating. Weight Watchers has not increased their rates for this new approach, and all the meetings, eTools, and apps are included in the total fee.
The content in this article explains the Weight Watchers PointsPlus program in detail. The details of the current program are exclusively available to the paid members of Weight Watchers.
With the introduction of PointsPlus, the Weight Watchers diet has undergone a change. The need was necessitated due to searches been conducted for the points program and for better understanding of food, dieting, and in general, the entire weight loss process. The old formula was calorie based, but now the formula takes into consideration the content of the food along with the thermic effect of food on the body. With the introduction of the new formula, a lot of emphasis has been placed on the nutritional value of food. Therefore, the PointsPlus recipes, with its emphasis on the nutritional value of food, further helps in living a healthy life and losing weight.
Easy Weight Watchers PointsPlus Recipes
Some of the recipes mentioned below have as low as 1 point and there are also some recipes which are high on points, at 7 points. Depending on the points you have for the day you can decide the right recipe for yourself. At this stage, I would like to bring it to your notice that the bonus points per week have been increased to 49 points. In other words, you will not have to really be worried about going overboard with your allocated points each week. Also you will be allowed to eat unlimited quantity of vegetables and/or fruits every week, which will ensure you do not have to go hungry ever.
Vegetable Soup → PointsPlus Value: 1 Point
This is a simple vegetable soup, which you can try when you are running out on points. If you like the tinge of meat in it, then you can replace the vegetable bouillon cubes with chicken or beef bouillon.
Ingredients Required
- 2 carrots, peeled and cubed
- 1 small bunch green beans, cut into pieces
- 1 stalk broccoli, peeled into florets
- 1 large onion, peeled and cubed
- 1 small potato, cubed with skin
- 2 medium tomatoes, cubed
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 4 bouillon vegetable cubes
- 1 small green bell pepper, de-seeded and cubed
- 1 tsp dried marjoram
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 5 cups water
- 1 tsp salt and pepper
Steps to Follow
In a large pot, add potato, carrots, and onion cubes. Add water and place the pot on medium to low heat. Cover the bowl and let the mixture cook on low heat for about 10 minutes. Add corn, broccoli, tomatoes, green pepper and peas to the bowl along with the bouillon cubes and let the soup simmer for another 10 minutes, till the vegetables are crisp, yet tender. Add the herbs along with salt and pepper and serve hot.
Spinach and Artichoke Dip → PointsPlus Value: 2 points
If you are looking for a healthy PointsPlus dip, then this is a dip which you will certainly want to try. It can be served with fresh vegetables as much as it can also be served with chips. Alternately it can also be served as a side dish for broiled meat.
Ingredients Required
- ½ pound Spinach leaves, washed
- 1½ cup artichoke, drained
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- ½ cup low fat sour cream
- 4 oz low fat cream cheese
- Salt as per taste
- Cooking spray
Steps to Follow
Grease a baking dish with cooking spray and preheat the oven to 350º Fahrenheit. Combine spinach, artichokes and garlic together in a grinder to make a thick paste. Then add pepper flakes, salt, sour cream, Parmesan cheese and cream cheese to the mixture to make a thick puree. Empty out the contents in the greased baking dish. Bake for about 20 to 30 minutes, till the top layer is golden brown in color. Serve warm.
Taco Casserole → PointsPlus Value: 7 points
Do you feel like eating something ‘cheesy’. Well then this is the perfect dish for your mood. This recipe is made using the oven, however, you can also choose to make it in a slow cooker.
Ingredients Required
- 1 pound ground chicken breast without skin
- 1 cup fat free cottage cheese
- 1 cup low fat tortilla chips
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
- ½ cup onion, finely chopped
- ½ cup chopped bell pepper
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 package taco seasoning mix
- 8 ounces taco sauce
- ¾ cup salsa for garnishing
Steps to Follow
Cook ground chicken, garlic clove, onion and pepper till tender in a skillet. Add taco seasoning and taco sauce to the chicken mixture and keep it aside. In a mixing bowl, combine sour cream and cottage cheese together. Spray cooking spray at the bottom of a baking dish. Place tortilla chips at the bottom of the dish and top it with chicken mixture. Then spread cream and cheese mixture on the chicken mixture. Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top. Crush the remaining taco chips and spread them on the cheese. Bake the casserole in a preheated oven at 400º Fahrenheit for half an hour till the cheese melts. Once the casserole is ready top it with salsa and serve hot.
These were some of the Weight Watchers PointsPlus recipes with point values. If you are not sure about Weight Watchers PointsPlus, you can consult your leader at Weight Watchers and confirm the points that you can consume, so that you are able to stay on your target weight track.