How to Find Even <em>More</em> Go-To Foods

Weekly Technique

By Weight Watchers

Last updated 12 July 2022

How to Find Even <em>More</em> Go-To Foods

Picture the foods you’re always reaching for. A crisp apple. Juicy roast chicken. Crunchy popcorn. Is your mouth watering yet? Time to (mentally) dig in so you can add even more to your dietary tool box.

Try This!

Step 1: Brainstorm the WHAT What foods do you rely on to stay on track? Write ‘em down: • New-to-you foods from the past weeks, months, or years • Foods promoted from minor player to starring role • Old go-tos reimagined with a healthier spin • Heavy-rotation recipes Step 2: Get into the WHY Circle your top three to five foods, then ask: Why did they make the cut? How do they make you feel? What do you love about them? Go beyond taste; consider convenience, PersonalPoints™ value, nutrition—anything. Step 3: Think about the HOW How do you work these foods into your routine? Are you intentional about it or do you do it on autopilot? Go deeper into how that happened. Step 4: Plan for WHEN or WHERE Identify when, where, or how you’ll keep leaning on one favorite. Maybe it’s designating a day—i.e. turkey burger Tuesday—or setting out a fruit for a see-it-eat-it approach. Step 5: Honor the WHO—that’s you! Give yourself props for working these healthier items into your diet, then put those insights into action: Consider other foods with similar qualities to bulk up your list. Celebrate with a special meal or snack featuring a current go-to and a potential new one.

Let’s dive a little deeper...

No matter where you are or what you’re working toward, we all have to think about food. You may have even run through the usual questions already today—what to make for dinner, what you need from the store, and how it’s all going to fit in your Budget. But taking time to think beyond the logistics can make this journey more successful, sustainable, and liveable long-term.

How? Doing a sweep of your current go-tos can uncover useful insights—and not only for supermarket-shopping purposes, but also for moments when things get a little dicey. Let us explain: Maybe apples are one of your current faves. Recognising that you eat them because they’re sweet, crunchy, portable, easy, full of filling fibre, and maybe even on your ZeroPoint™ foods list. This may do two things:

When hunger hits, you may make a beeline to a Granny Smith or Gala apple because you understand why and how that type of snack works for you.
It gives you a roadmap for finding new go-tos: Start with apples. What else is crunchy and scoops dip like a champ? Celery! Or, a banana isn’t crunchy, but it’s sweet, portable, and pairs well with Peanut butter.

And don’t forget to pause and celebrate your healthy choices. That helps boost your confidence in maintaining them and continuing to make new ones. Remember, building new habits takes effort and doesn’t happen overnight—you’ve worked hard to get where you are today!

Week two of our monthly theme, Celebrate Your Journey.