How often do you eat something that you think will be the best thing since a cronut only to find that it was overrated, unsatisfying, and SO not worth it? Before joining Weight Watchers, you might not have thought much about that “eh” edible afterward. But since the SmartPoints® plan cleverly steers you to healthier 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? The three steps in your Weekly are a good path to your best "yes":
# Are you hungry?
# Do you have the SmartPoints budget for it?
# Are you choosing mindfully?
The ideas below will help bolster your ability to make right-for-you choices.
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 picks 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 mobile app for iOS and Android.
Give it your best guess
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. (And word to the wise: You’re under no obligation to eat something just because it's there or because you’re afraid of hurting someone's feelings.)
Work in what's worth it
While calculating the SmartPoints value of a food is an important part of the formula, it’s certainly not everything to consider. And 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.
The Speedy, Satisfying Stir-Fry
A one-pan (or wok) meal with eye appeal, lots of veggies, and a short prep time? What could be better? Enjoy