New to Weight Watchers | Slender Kitchen

If you are new to Weight Watchers, dieting, or just trying to eat more healthy, or this is your first time on the website Welcome! You have come to the right place. My short story is that I have been on Weight Watchers for what feels like forever, sometimes with more success than others, but have finally have found a way to stay on track and still eat foods I love. A large part of this has been starting this blog (yeah accountability!) and also learning that I love to cook, and cooking healthy can actually be fun and delicious. If you are just starting this journey, here are what I think are some essentials that will help you stay on track and reach your goal.

One thing that many folks have found helpful when starting Weight Watchers is to use weight watcher meal plans that include points information and all meals. Learn more about Weight Watchers meal plans.

Favorite Recipes

Baked Oatmeal: I make a million varieties of this baked oatmeal and it always gets me started in the right way for the day. Full of fiber, whole grains, and protein, it has the staying power I need for the morning. You can use regular or steel cut oats and mix in any fruit you like. Perfect quick meal in the morning.
Quiche Cupcakes: I love these quiche cupcakes and usually have them on hand for a quick snack or lunch. At only 1 weight watchers point per quiche cupcake, they are great for a quick protein fix and tasty enough to satisfy any craving. You can mix up the veggies for an endless variety of flavors to keep things interesting. They also taste great warm or cold which makes them a great substitute for a prepackaged snack during the day.
Tacos, Tacos, Tacos: If you continue to read my blog, you will quickly learn that I love Mexican food and prepare quite a bit of it. And in my mind, nothing beats a great taco. These are my favorite taco recipes, most with slow cooked meat from the crock pot. Great for tacos, rice bowls, and salads.
Red Chicken Pozole: This spicy and delicious Mexican soup sounds difficult to make but it is much easier than you think and completely worth it. I always make extra portions and freeze them for quick lunches and dinners. At 1.5 cups per serving and only 4 weight watchers points plus, it is a great soup to have on hand, and will definitely impress guests.
Creamy Cheesy Cauliflower Mash: This is by far my favorite side dish, probably because it is so much like mashed potatoes. For only 1 weight watchers points plus for 3/4 cup, it goes with almost anything and will instantly become a favorite in your home. Honestly, just try it. It is a perfect substitute for mashed potatoes.

Best Weight Watchers Tools

Meal Measure One Portion Control Tool: When I first started weight watchers and dieting, this was my silver bullet. I hated weighing foods and was awful at portion control. This handy little tool does all the hard thinking for you. Each container fits exactly 1 cup and has a 1/2 cup line as well, and the protein portion is a perfect “deck of cards size” which is the recommended 3-4 oz. It fits on almost any plate and honestly will keep you on track with portions without any measuring or weighing of foods. This little tool really helped me during my initial months of dieting and I pull it out anytime I feel myself overeating or slipping.
Kitchen Scale: A good kitchen scale is an absolutely essential when you start out Weight Watchers. Portion size is perhaps the biggest culprit for weight gain and measuring out all your food at the beginning will help you not only stay on track, but learn what a real portion is. I recommend one that is electronic and has a dishwasher safe tray. Mine is Cuisinart, but any brand will work.
Crock pot: I couldn’t live without my crock pot. Not just because it saves me tons of time, but because it helps me infuse flavors into lower calorie and less expensive meats. I use mine at least once a week, and sometimes more often. I highly recommend getting a Crockpot (they are usually cheaper online). I have a basic Crockpot with only 3 settings that works great for me.
Meat Thermometer: If you are at all new to cooking, having a good, electronic meat thermometer is a must. I wasn’t much of a cook until about three years ago and this saved my life (probably literally.) Before purchasing this thermometer, I would usually overcook my meat, making it incredibly dry. This one is particularly great because the long cord means you can leave the thermometer in the meat while it cooks, and it will tell you when it is done. No checking multiple times.
PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter-Half the Calories: Peanut Butter may be one of my biggest weaknesses and PB2 is my go to solution for peanut butter cravings. It has half the calories and fat of regular peanut butter and tastes incredible. I use it in lots of recipes calling for peanut butter, and constantly find myself eating it with bananas and apples. Delish and defintiely worth a try. It can be hard to find in stores though and usually is cheaper online anyway.