How often do you eat something you think will be the best thing since [fill in a splurge that makes you weak in the knees] only to find that it was overrated, unsatisfying, and SO not worth it? Before joining Weight Watchers, you might not have thought much about it. But now that you’ve learned how powerful the SmartPointsTM plan can be for steering you towards good choices, you might find it easier to be more mindful about what you put in your mouth. So, how can you make sure that every bite counts?
Think about it
Really considering how a food you’re about to eat will affect your SmartPoints budget can keep you mindful of the choices you’re making. Planning ahead and running the numbers can help you stay on track. So, too, can some smart moves.
Be prepared
Say you’ve been invited to a cocktail party. One way to keep your hunger in check is to eat a healthy snack, like baby carrots with hummus, before you go. Or if you’re dining at a restaurant, have a salad or cup of broth-based soup before your entree. Going to a concert or game? Bring stay-on-track treats like whole-grain crackers or cut-up veggies to tide you over. And of course you can always browse for smart food choices—wherever you happen to be—in our Weight Watchers Mobile app for iOS and Android.
Guesstimate
But sometimes deciding what’s “worth it” is more complicated: You’re away from home and you’re facing limited options, or you don’t know what ingredients were used or how the food was prepared. When you can’t look something up, make your best guess—it’s better than flying blind. Tracking isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being consistent. (Word to the wise around the holidays: You’re under no obligation to eat something just because it’s there or because you’re afraid of hurting someone’s feelings.)
Make “worth it” work for you
While calculating the SmartPoints value of a food is an important part of the formula, it’s certainly not everything to consider. Sometimes it’s not even the most important factor. (That’s right, we said it.) Every once in a while the only question that matters is, “Does it taste good?” And that’s OK! If you’re going out with friends for dinner and you know you want a hot fudge sundae, have it. Just remember you have options that will help you stay in control. For example, you can allot extra SmartPoints values for dessert. Or save up your Weekly SmartPoints. You can share that sundae. Or choose something from the kids’ menu. What you don’t want to do is white-knuckle it through a pale and unappealing imitation when you know nothing but the real McCoy will do. Why? You might end up eating foods you don’t truly want because you’re not satisfying your real urge. Be honest with yourself. If you’re not sure, wait a few minutes before deciding what to do. Urges might feel strong in the moment. But if you give them a chance, they can pass pretty quickly.
More ways to make sure what you eat is really worth it:
Triumph at the supermarket! Follow these ten steps to plan, shop for, and come come home with great Weight Watchers-friendly meals -- without being side-tracked, tempted, or forgetting anything.
Why not bring the gang along on your healthful-eating journey? These ideas for building better family meals will you lose weight -- and satisfy the kids, too.
Warm up chilly nights with Balsamic Roasted Vegetables. Redolent of garlic, basic, and oregano, this zucchini, tomato, and eggplant dish makes a hearty side (for just 1 SmartPointsTM value!) or delicious topping for pasta.