If you really want to lose weight, there's no quicker way to drop pounds (and save money) than to cook more at home. Restaurants use a ton more fat, salt and sugar than a home cook would ever dream of, portion sizes are huge, and you have no idea what is in the food you're eating.
When you cook at home you're in control so you end up eating fewer calories than those who cook at home less. And home cooks tend to consume fewer calories when they eat out too.
All it takes is a little planning. Every Saturday I share my Weight Watchers Weekly Meal Plans with PointsPlus Values and Recipes here on Simple Nourished Living. It outlines my plan for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well a few snack and dessert ideas. With the shopping done and recipes at the ready I can just walk into the kitchen and get cooking.
I don't stick to it one hundred percent. Life happens. But, it helps to have a rough guide and prevents me from running out for takeout. Whoever said that failing to plan was planning to fail was spot on!
We are all really busy, so the key to successful home cooking is to keep things simple. I tend to rotate between the same one or two breakfasts and lunches the days I eat at home. And because we are a family of two most recipes I make result in leftovers that we are happy to eat again. So, I usually only cook from scratch three or four times a week. We like to eat out a couple of times, usually during the weekend.
If I end up with more food than we can eat, I portion it out, package it up and pop it in the freezer for future quick and easy lunches and dinners.
I hope these posts make it easier for you to stay on track with your weight loss and/or healthy eating goals too. It's a process that gets easier with practice.
And remember, there's a Weight Watchers Weekly Meal Plans Section on the blog so you can get inspiration from all of the previous weekly meal plans too. Enjoy!
Weight Watchers Weekly Meal Plan (Week #46)
Breakfast
This week I'm going to begin the day with a skinny latte (2PP) and either:
1) Blueberry Peach Protein Shake (4PP) - Several days a week I like to begin my day with a smoothie or protein shake for breakfast. They’re quick, easy, cold, creamy and satisfying.
2) English Muffin (3PP) - with Peanut Butter (1 T - 3PP) and Sliced Banana (0PP)
Lunch
I like to keep lunch quick and easy. Limiting my choices makes weight loss/maintenance easier. (Here's research that supports the idea.) I usually eat lunch out a couple days a week, which prevents me from getting too bored.
1) Salad of Sliced Tomatoes (0PP) with Mozzarella (2 ounces - 4PP), Fresh Basil (0PP) and Balsamic Vinegar (0PP) and a Veggie Burger (2PP)
2) Leftovers from dinner
Dinner
Because we are a family of two most recipes result in leftovers, so, I only cook from scratch three or four times a week. (We eat out once or twice.)
1) Quick and Easy Salmon Patties (6PP) with Broccoli Slaw (2PP), Oven Fries (3PP) (I like Alexia Brand) and Sliced Tomatoes (0PP)
2) Mediterranean Chicken and Pasta (8PP) and Simple Tossed Green Salad (0PP) with Olive Oil (2 t - 2PP) and Vinegar (0PP)
3) Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs (7PP) with Mashed Potatoes (3PP) and Steamed Broccoli (0PP) with Lemon Juice and Mrs. Dash
4) Grilled Chicken Apple Sausages (5PP) with Southwestern Sweet Potato Salad (3PP) and Green Beans (0PP)
5) Leftovers
Snacks
I try to limit my snacks to one in the late afternoon which keeps me from being overly hungry when I'm getting dinner. To prevent snacking while I'm making dinner, I often chew gum.
1) Peach (0PP) and Almonds (2 T - 2PP)
2) Frozen Grapes (0PP)
Dessert
I usually try to limit dessert to once or twice a week, which helps to keep it a special treat.
Weight Watchers Chocolate Peanut Butter Squares (2PP) - one of my new favorite weight watchers recipes for a sweet treat.
If you make one of our recipes, we would love for you to a picture and share it on Instagram. Use the hashtag #simplenourishedliving. We want to see what you are making and would love for you to follow us on Instagram.
And remember, there's a Weight Watchers Meal Plans with PointsPlus section on the blog so you can get inspiration from all of the previous weekly meal plans too.
Have a wonderful week!
This post contains affiliate links to products I like. When you buy something through one of my Amazon links or Craftsy links, I receive a small commission that helps support this site. Thanks for your purchase!
Subscribe to Get: Top 10 Reader Favorite Recipes
The Top 10 Most Popular Recipes (PDF) on Simple Nourished Living + Weekly Support Emails with Tips & Easy Healthy Recipes Not Found Anywhere Else!
Leave a Reply