That are so tasty AND easy!

My family has started our second weight loss competition, “Second Helping” (see my post on our Biggest Loser Challenge). We did the first challenge around the holidays last year, when we figured it would be a good time to lose a little weight after Thanksgiving. Now that bathing suit weather is around the corner, we thought we’d give it another shot. I will write about how we put together this challenge in the near future; it’s a little different but still very easy and fun.

As I’m re-committing to weight loss, I’m being more serious about Weight Watchers, which I’ve been doing off and on for over a year. (See posts on Surviving WW for general tips and Game Day on WW for helpful snacks and foods for football season!)

I believe in this diet because it honestly evaluates food for so many factors that aren’t just calorie conscious, but healthy. So if you follow it, your portions and food choices are really reasonable and result in weight loss. Going forward, I will talk about ‘clean eating’, ie a non-processed diet that is best for inflammation, so anyone else with immune disorders hopefully will benefit from that! For now, I’m looking to shed about ten pounds, while hoping to motivate my husband to lose a little more.

Easier said than done with any diet that restricts your choices. To make it easier, I focus on foods that are filling, comforting and tasty; that ‘mimic’ foods that would ordinarily have more calories. In keeping with this, I opt for zero carb breads, zero sugar drinks, and light condiments.

Start with Coffee

If you are hooked on your coffee in the morning (or other times), you can still have a tasty cup with zero or very few points. For a regular cup, Coffeemate Zero Sugar creamers are delicious, and you’d never guess you weren’t drinking a full-fat creamer. The Italian Sweet Cream is my favorite.

If you like your lattes or other espresso drinks, it’s an easy alternative with almond, oat or skim milk. The Starbucks Cinnamon Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Latte is incredible, and only has four points total. This is a highly recommended splurge. To save even more points, get an plant-based milk (or skim) latte or flat white with sugar-free syrup. A latte for just a point? Yep. Make these at home SO EASILY and save a few dollars. (See my post on ways to make coffee shop coffee at home!)

If you like juice in the morning, apple cider is pretty low with two points for four oz. I find diet cranberry to be a refreshing option with my breakfast; and any diet or zero sugar sodas and juices are ZERO points.

Six Awesome Breakfast Choices 

647 English muffin. I swear by this brand of breads. A regular English muffin is five points, but these are only two, plus they are pretty thick and substantial! I use a little ‘I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter’ light margarine (one point). Add a poached egg for some flavor, and to keep you full a bit longer in the morning.

If you like sunny side up,  soft boiled or any style of eggs with runny yolks, give poached a try, if you haven’t. While your muffin’s toasting, just crack an egg into a small bowl of water and microwave for a minute. You’ll need a little trial and error, depending on the power of your microwave, but when you find the exact balance of water, bowl-size and time, you will be hooked on making these easy eggs all the time!

Mini bagel with light cream cheese. This is another hack, if you will, on something that is typically a huge diet buster (bagels have a whopping nine points, argh). I’ve found that MINI bagels (I like the Everything variety) have only three points. That’s more like it! Light cream cheese adds another point for a four point breakfast. Works for me!

Instant grits with a poached egg. There are things I never ate as a kid, and grits was one of them. We’re not from the south, where I guess they are more a staple. We were more oatmeal people, so I never acquired a grits interest. I decided to give it a try for my dad when I was taking care of him (Taking Care of an Aging Parent), and I liked them! Like oatmeal, they come in instant pouches which are so darned easy (add water). When I found out a packet is three points, I was hooked. Add an egg- this combination surprised me it was so good. The saltiness of the grits really works with yummy runny egg yolk.

Cheerios with almond milk and berries. Its hard to give up cereal for breakfast if you’ve eaten it for years. But many cereals are pure sugar, and death for your WW diet. But there are a few, like Cheerios, that are low (three points). Not Honey Nut which is six points! For a full cup, which is pictured here with almond milk (one point), it’s not too skimpy, and is very satisfying. And colorful, healthy and deliciously sweet berries make this bowl not only pretty but so good!

Chia Seed “Pudding”. As an alternative to overnight oats (oatmeal is surprisingly high in points), try some healthy chia seeds soaked in almond (or other low fat) milk in the fridge overnight for a breakfast that’s ready immediately. Chia seeds are these terrific little grains that are claimed to be a super food. They are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, which your body needs, but you don’t often find in foods other than fish.

When soaked, they take on an interesting consistency, kind of like tapioca (which I happen to love). Like with cereal, ramp up your plain chia with some fruit like berries and/or bananas, and even some nuts for protein (as long as you watch the portions). You can also sprinkle them in a smoothie! (See below.)

If you prefer a yummy thick smoothie in the morning and you’re also doing WW, you’re in luck! Low fat milk and a generous portion of frozen fruit provides the base. I recommend frozen fruit since the ice gives you a thicker, milkshake consistency, but feel free to add fresh fruit, low-fat nut butter, or whatever you like. A big scoop of a protein powder makes this perfect. A scoop of chocolate Premier Protein powder is only two points, and one of these shakes is very filling. Take one in a thermos to work in the morning, for a tasty and energizing breakfast. Add a shot of espresso if you’d like too!

I’ll be posting some ideas for lunches, dinners and snacks soon! Look out for them, and good luck if you’re on a weight loss journey, too!