IMPORTANT INFORMATION!!!!

WW INFO UPDATES!!!!! CHECK IT OUT!!! 

Here's a link to the updates for the Complete Food Companion, Dining Out Guide and Pocket Guide!! (Special thanks to WW Member, Jannell, for sending me this link!!!)

www.weightwatchers.com/productinfo

www.weightwatchers.com/images/1033/dynamic/GCMSImages/ListCorrections.v3.pdf

ALSO... if you LOVED the recipes in this year's WW Weekly Magazines... here's a link to all the PointsPlus Values for those recipes!

www.weightwatchers.com/weeklyrecipes

IT's HERE!!! Introducing PointsPlus!!

With all the preparing for the new PointsPlus Program, I haven't been updating my blog as often as I had hoped. I apologize!

So... here are LOTS of updates and things to read (AND WATCH)!!!

CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta breaks down the new Weight Watchers PointsPlus™ system on his blog.
http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2010/11/29/weight-watchers-overhauls-point-system/

 

WebMD weighs in on PointsPlus...
http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/weight-watchers-diet

 

LOTS of great reviews about WW's new PointsPlus Program!
http://www.usatoday.com/yourlife/food/diet-nutrition/2010-11-29-weightwatchers29_ST_N.htm

Weight Watchers Announces the new PointsPlus program!

Cocoa Loco Krispymallow Treats

WW member, Kim, made the Cocoa Loco Krispymallow Treats and was kind enough to share one with me. YUMMY!!!

PER SERVING (1 treat, about 3" X 2.5"): 122 calories, 2.75g fat, 99mg sodium, 25.5g carbs, 3.5g fiber, 12g sugars, 1.5g protein -- POINTS® value 2* HELLO, delicious! The second we tasted Chocolate Cheerios, we KNEW we had to make marshmallow-infused squares with the stuff. Adding Reese's Pieces and M&M's was just a stroke of genius... Ingredients:3 tbsp. light whipped butter or light buttery spread (like Brummel & Brown) 3 cups mini marshmallows 3 cups Chocolate Cheerios cereal 3 cups puffed wheat cereal 1 1/2 cups Fiber One bran cereal (original) One 1.53-oz. package Reese's Pieces candy, lightly crushed One 1.69-oz. package Milk Chocolate M&M's candy, lightly crushed Directions: Spray a 9-inch by 13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray. (Despite use of the pan, you won't actually be baking.) Set aside. Place butter in a large pot/saucepan on the stove, and set heat to low. Once butter has melted, add marshmallows and stir until those are completely melted as well. (This may take a while, but it's worth it!) Remove from heat, add all three cereals, and stir gently until thoroughly coated. Using a spatula sprayed with nonstick spray, press mixture evenly into the baking pan. If needed, lay a sheet of wax paper flat over the mixture, and press until the surface is even; then remove. Sprinkle both types of crushed candy evenly over the top, and press down with the spatula. Let cool completely. Cut into 15 pieces (each about 3 inches by 2 1/2 inches) and EAT! MAKES 15 SERVINGS

Truth or Myth - Metabolism Quiz

If I don’t eat, my body will go into “starvation mode”. – MYTH

There is no such thing as “starvation mode”. We encourage members to eat their daily POINTS target because:

1. Create a calorie deficit for a healthy rate of weight loss.
2. Ensure that members have sufficient POINTS values for a healthy, well-balanced diet for good health.
3. Assure that members have sufficient POINTS values to eat well and feel full. If members eat less than their daily POINTS target, it can lead to deprivation, and we know that can lead them to give up. Losing weight in a healthy way is all about sustainability, not quick fixes.

My metabolism is slow because I’m older. - TRUTH

-          Weight gain is a common occurrence as people get older because the body’s metabolism slows as we age.

-          As a person ages, the number of calories they burn on a daily basis goes down. The reason: after age 45, the average individual loses around 10% of their muscle mass per decade. This equates to losing about one-third to one-half a pound of muscle each year – and often gaining that much in body fat. Because muscle mass burns a lot of calories compared to fat, the total number of calories needed by the body goes down.

-          ALSO… typically, as a person ages, he/she is generally less physically active

I’m not losing weight because I’m exercising and building muscle. – MYTH

-          Some people eat more when they start to exercise, which can slow weight loss. There’s a psychological relaxation: “Hey, I worked out, I can have that extra serving of food.” Members also tend to over-estimate Activity POINTS.

-          Some research shows that people become less active in their daily routine when they add exercise. This too may be some sort of psychological compensation. “I worked out, so I can sit on the couch all day.”

-          Some people assume that they gain muscle and this makes them heavier too. Unless you are lifting heavy weights, it’s unlikely that you’re gaining muscle weight. Even then it might take 6 months to gain a couple of pounds.

I’m not losing weight because I eat too much at night. – MYTH

-          It doesn’t matter what time you eat: Your body burns calories 24 hours a day. Although your metabolism does slow down at night, it doesn’t slow down enough to make a difference. It’s the number of calories you take in over the course of a week, not the time of day you eat, that contributes to weight gain or loss.

You have to eat breakfast to start up your metabolism. – MYTH

-          Eating breakfast is like filling up a gas tank. When you wake up in the morning, your body is low on fuel, like a car running on empty. A morning meal can kick-start your engine by giving your body energy.

-          Non-breakfast eaters fall prey to impulse snacking and the BLTs of Life (Bites, Licks and Tastes!) which leads to increased calories.

I can increase my metabolism through my food choices. – MYTH

-          Food has very little impact on metabolism other than if you eat too much you will gain fat mass which does not burn many calories compared to lean muscle mass.

My metabolism loves a Zumba class. - TRUTH

-          Two ways to boost metabolism:

#1. Increase body’s lean muscle mass (because muscle burns more calories than fat, even at rest)

#2. Speeding up your heart rate (to burn more calories)

Pumpkin Fluff

Yummy Fall Treat!!

15oz can pumpkin

1 small box sugar free vanilla instant pudding mix

1 c. skim milk

1- 8 oz. fat free Cool Whip

2 tsp. pumpkin spice

Using a mixer, blend pumpkin w/ mix and milk!

Divide into 6 servings = 3 POINTS per serving

or 

Divide 8 servings= 2 POINTS per serving

LFG Campaign encourages members to lose for others

Weight Watchers “Lose for Good” Campaign Encourages Members to Lose for Others

Local North Olmsted Resident loses 150 pounds, donates 150 pounds of food to Cleveland Foodbank

100+ Weight Watchers Members and their families set to “5K/10K Walk for Others” This Sunday, October 24 in Strongsville to benefit Cleveland Foodbank

CLEVELAND, Ohio --- For the past two years, Weight Watchers members have shown that they can improve their health while helping those in need. In September, the company launched its third annual Lose For Good campaign, an initiative that fights hunger both locally and globally by increasing awareness of this important issue and helping to provide access to healthy food for those in need.

Locally, Weight Watchers members throughout the Greater Cleveland area have been participating in the Lose for Good Campaign in two ways: by losing weight and through food drives.

During the seven week campaign (September 5^th through October 23^rd), for each pound of weight that members lose, Weight Watchers will donate up to $1 million to two national hunger fighting organizations. The campaign has allowed members to not only lose the weight for good to help their own health efforts, but also to lose the weight to help others who are in need of food.

Weight Watchers members have also been participating in food drives locally to benefit the Cleveland Foodbank. Many members have donated food in the amount of weight that they have lost. During last year’s campaign, over 6,000 pounds of food was donated through local Weight Watchers meetings to the Cleveland Foodbank.

One local North Olmsted resident, Rose Perry, has lost more than 150 pounds through the Weight Watchers program. In honor of her significant weight loss achievement, she will be donating 150 pounds of food to the Cleveland Foodbank. Perry’s “Success Wall” will be displayed at the Weight Watchers Center in North Olmsted beginning this Saturday, October 23 when she makes her final donation to complete her total.

To celebrate the conclusion of the Lose for Good campaign, local Weight Watchers members will be using activity to support those less fortunate. This Sunday, October 24 at 2pm at Bonnie Park in Strongsville, WW Leader Stephanie Mueller will host a “5K & 10K Walk for Others” to benefit the Cleveland Foodbank. WW Members, along with their family, friends and pets are encouraged to attend and support the Lose for Good campaign. Participants are asked to bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to the Cleveland Foodbank. Mueller hosted a 5K Walk in June as part of Weight Watchers “Walk-It Challenge”. Over 100 people attended the event, many of whom would never have considered taking the challenge of completing a 5K without the encouragement from their fellow Weight Watchers meeting members.

Media representatives are welcome to attend the “5K/10K Walk for Others” this coming Sunday. There will be a pre-walk/run warm-up beginning at 1:45pm. The walk/run will begin at 2:00pm. Representatives from the Cleveland Foodbank will be on hand to accept the donations from the event participants as part of the Lose for Good campaign.

If media would like to visit the Weight Watchers North Olmsted Center to view Rose Perry’s “Success Wall”, they are encouraged to contact Stephanie Mueller to schedule a day/time. Stephanie Mueller can be reached at (440.879.8727 or stephanie@wwleader.com) for details.

National Lose for Good Campaign Details

Between September 5th and October 23rd, as Weight Watchers members and Online subscribers lose weight and participate in other activities, the company will donate up to $1 million to two leading hunger fighting organizations–Share Our Strength and Action Against Hunger. Through Lose For Good, Weight Watchers has donated more than $2 million to its charitable partners, and its members have donated over 3.5 million pounds of food to food banks nationwide.

"Almost one in four children in America faces hunger and will endure lifelong consequences as a result of having limited access to nutritious foods," said Billy Shore, Founder and Executive Director of Share Our Strength. "Weight Watchers is an important ally in our fight to make sure no child in America grows up hungry. We're thankful for their dedication to our mission and the generous support they provide through the Lose For Good campaign."

"The Lose For Good campaign provides important support for our work to end hunger around the world," said Nan Dale, Executive Director of Action Against Hunger's U.S. headquarters. "As Americans strive to make healthier choices at home, this campaign offers a novel way for participants to help themselves while also helping save children suffering from life-threatening malnutrition."

Academy Award-winning actress and Grammy Award-winning recording artist Jennifer Hudson is joining the effort and will take part in media appearances, as well as star in a national TV spot that encourages Americans to get healthy and give back. In September, Hudson will visit a New York City school as part of the campaign to help educate families on how to prepare healthy, low cost meals, while spreading the message that increasing access to healthy food is an important step in fighting both hunger and obesity.

"I am so proud to be a part of Lose For Good which encourages people to get healthy, something I've learned to do with the help of Weight Watchers, while at the same time giving back to those in need," explained Hudson. "There are kids in our own country and abroad who are growing up hungry, and as a mom, this breaks my heart. That's why I'm so happy to be involved in this campaign, where weight loss success can help others - it's a win for everyone!"

"Obesity and hunger have become two sides of the same coin in many economically depressed areas, and I'm proud that through Lose For Good, Weight Watchers, its members and its partners can have a positive impact reversing this troubling situation," said David Kirchhoff, President and CEO Weight Watchers International, Inc.

There are many ways to get involved and spread the message of Lose For Good:

• Visit the Lose For Good website: www.weightwatchers.com/loseforgood  
• Success Walls: Online subscribers and Community users will be encouraged to build "Success Walls" constructed of collected food that represent their weight loss.  They can then donate the food on or around October 23 (Donation Day) via an official Weight Watchers Meetup at a food bank or food drive by visiting www.meetup.com/weightwatchers.
• Lose For Good Tab on the Weight Watchers Facebook page: Visit www.facebook.com/weightwatchers for updated information and videos
• Action Tuesdays: On six Tuesdays during the campaign, Weight Watchers eTools subscribers and Weight Watchers Online subscribers will be invited to participate in specific tasks, and for each task, Weight Watchers will donate $1 to Share Our Strength and Action Against Hunger (up to $5,000 per Tuesday as part of the larger corporate donation) 
• Lose-A-Palooza: A one-day social media event taking place on September 14th that will help further spread the Lose For Good message.  Weight Watchers will donate $1 to Share Our Strength and Action Against Hunger for every accepted mention or acknowledgment of "Lose For Good" made on September 14th through blogs, Twitter, Facebook and check-ins via foursquare (up to $60,000 as part of the larger corporate donation)  
• Member Local Food Drives: Select Weight Watchers meeting locations will be holding local food drives throughout the duration of the campaign where members can donate food that will be given to local food banks

About Weight Watchers International, Inc.

Weight Watchers International, Inc. is the world's leading provider of weight management services, operating globally through a network of Company-owned and franchise operations. Weight Watchers holds almost 50,000 meetings each week where members receive group support and learn about healthy eating patterns, behavior modification and physical activity. WeightWatchers.com provides innovative, subscription weight management products over the Internet and is the leading Internet-based weight management provider in the world. In addition, Weight Watchers offers a wide range of products, publications and programs for those interested in weight loss and weight control.

Cleveland Foodbank

The Cleveland Foodbank supplies a majority of the food used in local hot meal sites, shelters, and food pantries. In addition, we provide food to child care centers, group homes, and programs for the elderly. The Foodbank works closely with other Northeast Ohio hunger relief organizations, providing food and nonfood products to hunger centers administered by the Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland, the Catholic Hunger and Shelter Network, and the Salvation Army, among others.

About Share Our Strength

Share Our Strength(R), a national nonprofit, is ending childhood hunger in America by connecting children with the nutritious food they need to lead healthy, active lives. Through its No Kid Hungry Campaign(TM)--a national effort to end childhood hunger in America by 2015--Share Our Strength ensures children in need are enrolled in effective federal nutrition programs, invests in community organizations fighting hunger, teaches families how to cook healthy meals on a budget, and builds public-private partnerships to end hunger, both nationally and at the state level. Working closely with the culinary industry and relying on the strength of its volunteers, Share Our Strength hosts innovative culinary fundraising events and develops pioneering cause marketing campaigns that support No Kid Hungry. Visit Strength.org to get involved in the No Kid Hungry Campaign.

About Action Against Hunger

Action Against Hunger | ACF International is a global humanitarian organization committed to ending world hunger. Recognized as a leader in the fight against malnutrition, ACF works to save the lives of malnourished children while providing communities with sustainable access to safe water and long-term solutions to hunger. With 30 years of expertise in emergency situations of conflict, natural disaster, and chronic food insecurity, ACF runs life-saving programs in some 40 countries benefiting 5 million people each year.

Slow Cooker Lasagna

POINTS® Value:    8 Servings:  6 Preparation Time:  20 min Cooking Time:  360 min Level of Difficulty:  Easy

No need to cook the noodles first or stay home while it bakes. Just let it sit a few minutes before serving so it can firm up a bit.

Ingredients

	1 pound(s) uncooked lean ground beef (with 7% fat)
	1 small onion(s), chopped
	1 medium garlic clove(s), minced
	28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
	15 oz canned tomato sauce
	1 tsp table salt
	1 tsp dried oregano
	1/2 tsp dried basil
	1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
	1 cup(s) part-skim ricotta cheese
	1 1/2 cup(s) part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
	6 item(s) dry lasagna noodles, no-cook
	1/2 cup(s) shredded Parmesan cheese, strong-flavored like Romano or Parmigiano Reggiano

Instructions

• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef, onion and garlic; cook, stirring frequently, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon as it cooks, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt, oregano, basil and red pepper flakes; simmer 5 minutes to allow flavors to blend.
• Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, stir together ricotta cheese and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
• Spoon 1/3 of beef mixture into a 5-quart slow cooker. Break 3 lasagna sheets in half and arrange over beef mixture; top with half of ricotta mixture. Repeat with another layer and finish with remaining 1/3 of beef mixture.
• Cover slow cooker and cook on low setting for 4 to 6 hours. Remove cover; turn off heat and season to taste, if desired.
• In a small bowl, combine remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese; sprinkle over beef mixture. Cover and set aside until cheese melts and lasagna firms up, about 10 minutes. Yields 1/6th of dish per serving.

Notes

• To boost your vegetable intake, add a can of zucchini in tomato sauce to the meat mixture. You can also add 2 cups of sliced shiitake mushrooms to the beef mixture.

Apple Cider Crisp... just in time for fall!

Courtesy of WeightWatchers.com...

WW's Apple Cider Crisp is so delicious and easy to make, it’s sure to be your new favorite fall dessert. And at 4 POINTS® values, you can enjoy it without the guilt! 

 

http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeId=129041

Do you like COFFEE? Here's a list of Coffee MUST-HAVES!

Coffee at home = a better idea than coffee out. For so many reasons. Here are my top "ate" at-home coffee necessities...

1. Instant coffee
No need to get fancy here. Instant coffee is good if you want to make an iced coffee FAST — and also make blended coffee drinks. Folgers is great, and Tasters Choice’s French Vanilla is really great.

2. No-calorie sweetener packets
I still prefer Splenda, but Truvia is a great alternative for people looking for more natural options. Splenda does have those fancy flavored packets out there that are specifically flavored for a good cup of coffee.

3. Cocoa powder
It’s multi-purpose in so many ways, but a little cocoa powder in your coffee goes a long way... and without adding many calories! Also, a can of the stuff is cheap and will last a very long time.

4. Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze
I'm obsessed with this milk swap. If you can’t find it, light vanilla soymilk is a good substitute. But this really is the best option, taste and calorie-wise. Plus, since it’s shelf-stable, you can buy a bunch at a time so you’ve always got a new carton when the one in your fridge is empty.

5. Sugar Free or Fat Free Coffee-Mate Powdered Creamers
In plain and flavored, just a teaspoon or so adds a lot of creaminess to your drinks. BTW, the Sugar Free French Vanilla is the one I use most often at the HG HQ, but they’re all great.

6. Fat Free Reddi-Wip
If you feel like getting really decadent with your at-home latte, this 5-calories-per-serving, creamy, fat-free whip is the way to dress it up. This way, you get the coffeehouse fanciness without the extra calories and fat — or the long lines.

7. Torani Sugar Free Syrups
Using this no-calorie stuff is hands down the best way to flavor your coffee drinks. Look for your favorite flavors at Cost Plus World Market, or order online at torani.com.
 
8. Good ice, bendy straws and a great blender
Yeah, I know the last one is actually three things. But they're all super-important. Enjoy!
Where will Hungry Girl go next week? Check back Monday to find out!

More About Hungry Girl
Learn how Hungry Girl came to be — and more!

Hungry Girl, aka Lisa Lillien, distributes her tips, tricks and takes on new food products through her daily emails and Web site. Check out www.Hungry-Girl.com.

Quinoa and Tomato Salad

Courtesy of WeightWatchers.com...

YUMMY Recipe! Click on the link below. If you try it, let me know how you like it!

http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeid=142331

Navigating the vending machine... it's possible!

Courtesy of WeightWatchers.com...

You're hungry and glued to your desk. What are your best options for a satisfying snack?
 
If you find yourself stuck at work with a deadline, an energy slump and no food source other than the vending machine, take heart: Your office vending machine could contain a couple of items that will slay your hunger and notch up your energy level — without undermining your daily POINTS® Target.

Keep in mind that snacks high in protein and fiber will deliver the longest-lasting energy return. But be careful with products labeled "whole grain," says Alan Lee, a registered dietician at Greyston Health Services in Yonkers, NY. They are often a source of fiber — but not always.
 
And even though the word "healthy" may appear on a package, there is no regulated measure of genuinely healthy ingredients necessary for the manufacturer to put it there.

Read the label to be sure that the product truly has a good amount of protein or fiber or less fat than typical packaged snacks. And use the POINTS calculator to find out exactly what you're eating.

Here are some smart choices for satisfying your hunger, according to Lee. And as a reminder that not everything from a vending is a good choice, we've also included snacks you'd be wise to pass up.

Smart picks


Cereal bars
They were intended for breakfast, but whole-grain cereal or granola bars will fuel you anytime. One typical cereal bar has a POINTS value of 3.
 
Trail mix
A combination of nuts and dried fruits, such as raisins, delivers protein and fiber. But be sure to avoid versions mixed with candies such as chocolate or banana chips. A 1/4 cup of trail mix has a POINTS value of 4.

Energy bar
If you have hours to go before you can enjoy a real meal, choose one of the big guns: an energy bar. An average energy bar has a POINTS value of 4 to 5.

Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a fiber-rich breakfast or snack choice. A single serving of apples and cinnamon instant oatmeal contains 130 calories for a POINTS value of 2.

Poor picks

Frosted pastries
Not even kids should pop these in the toaster. One frosted toaster pastry packs a POINTS value of 9.

Reese's peanut butter cups
It's obvious that a chocolate bar won't provide lasting energy, but some might think that adding the nutrients and protein in peanut butter might help the mix. For a POINTS value of 6 for just two, though, it's pure candy.

Potato chips
Most chips are fried, which boosts their POINTS values skyward (one serving has a POINTS value of about 4). Of course, you could be lucky enough to run across a vending machine stocking baked chips, which have a POINTS value of 2, with far less fat.

Snackwells Cookie Sandwiches
With 1 or 2 POINTS values per cookie, these won't ruin your daily standing, but they are heavily sweetened and won't do much for real hunger. Bottom line: "They're not very filling," says Lee.

Pretzels
So maybe this isn't a worst choice. What should be noted, however, is that this snack is often thought to be a safe vending machine mainstay at a POINTS value of 2 (for 1 oz of pretzels). But they've got little fiber, so soon you'll be taking a trip back for another snack. "They're super salty tasting," says Lee, "but offer little satisfaction."

The best course of action is to plan for those energy dips and long hours by bringing in fresh fruit, low-fat cheese and yogurt.

Need the perfect dish to compliment your entree... look no further!

 Courtesy of WeightWatchers.com...

WW has paired five fabulous dinner ideas with five delicious (and really easy to make) sides. So for Zero POINTS values you can add taste, variety and balance to any meal. 

Click on the link below to learn more...

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=77801&sc=3022

The Skinny on Ice Cream

Courtesy of WeightWatchers.com...

If you’ve been avoiding ice cream, we’ve got good news: There are many satisfying ways to enjoy this warm-weather favorite that won’t derail your weight-loss efforts. Here’s a must-have guide for summer ice cream runs.
 
Come on, who doesn’t scream for ice cream? The more you know about this treat, the easier it is to make good choices.

What's the difference between light and reduced-fat ice cream? Is sherbert better than sorbet? Our guide will demystify these frozen treats and more.

Freezer Facts

Don’t allow your ice cream to soften and re-freeze repeatedly. That’s where those unpleasant ice crystals come from.

Store it in the main part of your freezer, never on the door — the temperature fluctuates too widely there.

Keep the lid tightly closed, and never put ice cream near uncovered foods, as odors can penetrate easily.

Ice cream
The one-size-fits-all term of old now has several sub-categories, with varying degrees of waistline-friendliness. The rich, decadent flavor of superpremium ice cream comes from an abundance of milkfat (at least 14 percent) and very little added air — and density means more calories.


Premium is a step down from there (11- to 15-percent milkfat, and a bit more air), but still packs plenty of POINTS® values. Both varieties tend to come in more unusual, “gourmet” flavors. Regular contains at least 10-percent milkfat, and has even more air than premium. Compare nutrition facts labels — you’ll be surprised by how well some regular ice cream fits into the program. Reduced Fat contains at least 25-percent less fat than its regular counterpart. Light and low-fat has less than 30 percent of calories from fat or no more than 3 grams of fat in a half-cup serving. Non-fat has less than 0.5 grams of fat. That said, always check the nutrition facts: the “light” variety of a superpremium brand may have more POINTS values than the “regular” from another brand.

A few words about milkfat: Because the amount of air pumped into different brands varies so greatly, the percentage of milkfat doesn’t correspond precisely to the number of fat grams per serving. For example, if a superpremium vanilla has 16-percent milkfat and 12 fat grams per serving, the regular might have 10-percent milkfat and 7 grams of fat in a serving, and the light could have 4-percent milkfat and 4 fat grams. That’s why it’s so important to calculate the POINTS values for each specific brand you try.

Slow-churned, cold-churned or double-churned
Three names for the same thing, this is a revolution in reduced-calorie ice cream production, a new process that disperses the tiny globules of milk fat more thoroughly. The basic recipe — and the milkfat content — is the same as other low- and reduced-fat ice creams, but the technique used to make it creates the illusion of richness. These products can offer the satisfaction of premium ice cream with far less fat and calories. There are a few brands on the market now that have a POINTS value of only 3 per serving, but still feel indulgent. Note that “no sugar added” doesn’t always equal a big difference in calories (or POINTS value).

Soft serve
Surprise! Those sweet swirls are almost always reduced-fat — most recipes call for only 3- to 6-percent milkfat. Plus its soft texture comes from churned-in air, which yields fewer calories by volume. Frozen custard is not the same as soft serve — it’s got added egg yolks, plus a higher percentage of milkfat.

Gelato
Similar in texture to soft serve but with a much more intense flavor, gelato can be an occasional treat. It usually has more milk than cream, meaning a lower fat count than regular ice cream, but with much less air — so there are more calories in less volume. Stick to small servings.

Frozen yogurt
With a taste and calorie count that’s similar to light ice cream, this is usually a good choice — but don’t forget to read the nutrition facts! Some frozen yogurts have a higher POINTS value per serving than slow-churned ice cream.

Non-dairy frozen desserts
If you’re a vegan, lactose intolerant or watching your cholesterol, you can still enjoy a creamy treat. Frozen desserts based on soy or rice are plan-friendly — relatively low in calories and fat — and, while they may not taste exactly like the real thing, they’re a whole lot better than nothing.

Sherbet and sorbet
Sherbet has less milkfat and more sugar than low-fat ice cream, and its POINTS value is relatively low. Sorbet has no dairy in it at all, so it’s usually fat-free — but the high sugar content means that it may have just as many calories as some ice creams. But texturally it’s entirely different: more icy and refreshing, but less decadent.

Snack Attack Quiz - What kind of snacker are YOU?

Take this quiz to learn how you cope with Snack Attacks.

1. Your favorite snack:
a. makes you feel guilty.
b. is a candy bar and a diet drink.
c. requires an extra workout.
d. gives you a lot of pleasure.
e. is a fruit or a vegetable.

2. When choosing your snack, you:
a. look around to see who's watching you sneak a donut.
b. use artificial sweetener in your coffee to make up for the donut.
c. substitute breakfast for your late-morning donut.
d. happily eat your donut in front of your coworkers.
e. skip the donut for a celery stick.

3. You have to bring snacks to the Super Bowl party. You:
a. tell everyone you used fat-free sour cream in the Mexican dip.
b. bring chocolate-covered strawberries.
c. run an extra mile for every potato skin you serve.
d. bring the hot cheese and sausage dip with chips.
e. bring the vegetable tray and low fat ranch dip.

4. You are bored and there's nothing on TV. You:
a. defrost the candy bar hidden in the freezer.
b. fix sugarless hot chocolate and load it with marshmallows.
c. make a bowl of ice cream and chocolate syrup and then jump rope for 30 minutes.
d. break open a bag of potato chips and eat the whole bag.
e. slice an apple and top it with fat-free yogurt.

If you chose mostly A's, you are a "Conflicted Snacker."
You feel guilty about snacking and try to when you can.

If you chose mostly B's, you are a "Contradictory Snacker,"
and will attempt to balance an unhealthy snack with a healthy one.

If you chose mostly C's, you are a "Disciplinary Snacker"
and you punish yourself for snacking by skipping a meal or adding an extra work out.

If you chose mostly D's, you are a "Shameless Snacker"
and figure the heck with diets, bring on the snacks.

If you chose mostly E's, you are a "Healthy Snacker"
and more than likely progressing to your goal!

15 Tips for Breaking through a Plateau

"Obstacles are things a person sees when he takes his eyes off his goal."

1. JOURNAL, JOURNAL, JOURNAL:
This is one of the most powerful tools you have to help you stay on track or in this case get back on track. Your journal keeps you accountable and makes you aware of the coices you are making. It can help you see where you are may be going over in points for the day. It helps you make sure you are getting in all your Good Healthy Guidelines. Use your journal as a detective tool: Did you have a good week? Look over it at the end of the week and see what you think contributed to that success. Had a not so good week? Again, look over your journal to see what little changes need to be made. Look at last week's journal for clues too, sometimes it takes a full week before the effects of a not so good week shows up.

2. FOLLOW THE GOOD HEALTHY GUIDELINES :
Look at your food choices, are you eating a wide variety of foods? Remember, your body needs nutrients from lots of different sources and if you're eating the same things all the time or too much of one type of food, you're probably not getting the proper nutrition your body needs. Take a look at your food choices, sometimes we have the attitude that as long as our points are met at the end of the day we're doing good, but if we focus on meeting the Good Healthy Guidelines we'll see that we still need to make some small adjustments to ensure we're spending our points in a way that keeps our bodies healthy.

3. WEIGH AND MEASURE PORTIONS:
Have you put the measuring cups away? Too many times our portions get bigger without us realizing it, using measuring cups and spoons and weighing out our portions can give us a better idea if our portions have suddenly grown bigger than we're counting. Remember, portion size does matter.

4. READ LABELS CAREFULLY:
Are you counting your points right for the product that you're eating? If you're eating a bigger serving size than the one listed on the label you're eating more points than you calculated.

5. REMEMBER, ZERO TIMES ZERO IS NOT ALWAYS ZERO:
If you're eating one serving of fat free sugar free gelatin for 10 calories, okay, that's zero points, but if you're now eating 4 servings plus 2 tbsp of fat free whipped topping, you've got yourself one point! Beware of those hidden extras where we multiply portions, and beware of BLT's: Bites, Licks, and Tastes that never seem to get counted on any journal. These add up.

6. TOO MANY REFINED CARBS?:
Are you eating too many sources of simple and refined carbs, the stuff that's heavily processed and no longer looks like its natural food source. Think of it as the difference between whole grain bread and processed white bread, brown rice vs. white rice, popcorn cakes vs. corn on the cob. Try to include more of the natural sources of carbs in your diet stuff like beans, yams, potatoes, brown rice, whole wheat couscous. This is not to say you can't have any refined carbs, just try to limit the amount of them if you're having trouble

7. NOT ENOUGH FAT?:
Okay, this sounds counterintuitive, but according to the Good Healthy Guidelines and for good nutrition you should be adding in about 2-3 points of a healthy fat per day. Please go back to Week One and make sure you are getting in those HEALTHY OILS! Our bodies need enough fat in order to properly function. The Healthy Oils contain an essential fatty acid: linoleic acid, that our body can't produce on its own. That fat is needed for proper metabolic and digestive function. Fat provides essential nutrients our bodies need, it transports fat soluble vitamins that our bodies need, it is needed for proper digestion and metabolic function, it helps us keep fuller longer, keeps our hair and skin nice, and is crucial for proper gallbladder function. If you're on a super low fat diet you can develop gallstones that are no fun and super painful.

8. DRINK HALF YOUR BODY WEIGHT IN WATER EACH DAY:
According to Barbara Levine, R.D., Ph.D., the Director of the Nutrition Information Center at the New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center and reported in the June issue of Weight Watchers magazine, she says that overweight people need more water than the typical 8 cups a day rule. "Overweight people tend to need more water, because fat cells hold more water than other fat cells in the body. To determine the number of ounces of water you need per day, divide your weight by two. For example, a person who weighs 140 pounds should consume 70 ounces, or about 9 cups. Of course, this is an estimate. The best way to gauge whether you are getting enough water is to monitor the color of your urine. If you're drinking enough, it should be the color of pale straw. If it is a deeper yellow, you're not getting enough fluids" (page 16, June 1999). Lots of times we misinterpret thirst for hunger, try water first, wait 20 minutes, real hunger will not go away.

9. MAKE SURE YOU'RE GETTING FIVE SERVINGS OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES PER DAY:
Eating the zero point veggies can often help us to fill up so that we're not eating the other higher points foods instead. If you're hungry, try non-starchy veggies first. Lots of members make the Garden Vegetable Soup recipe in the Week 1 booklet and eat a bowl of that before dinner to fill up a bit so that you can get full on the smaller portions you'll be serving yourself. Try a glass of V8 Fusion before a meal during the summer when soup sounds too hot. Variety is good here too, try a new fruit or veggie this week to expand your repertoire.

10. INCREASE THE FREQUENCY OR INTENSITY OF YOUR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY:
Are you exercising? If not, know that you'll be much more successful at losing the weight and keeping it off if you are also physically active. Find something that you enjoy doing and just do it! Start with a five minute walk out of your door, look at your watch after five minutes start heading back, just like that you've done 10 minutes! Next week start adding in a couple of extra minutes, try walking for 7 minutes out of your door, and 7 minutes back, you've now done 14 minutes. Keep adding until you're up to at least 10 minutes out and 10 minutes back. If you're already active, are you exercising at enough intensity? If you can easily carry on a conversation while exercising (you should be able to speak, but it should take a bit of effort) you're not challenging your body enough. Your body becomes really efficient at adjusting to the amount of physical activity you're doing, so you regularly have to adjust either the intensity of your workouts or the frequency in order to continue to reap the maximum benefit from physical activity. Try strength training in order to build lean muscle tissue. As we get older we lose lean muscle tissue which depresses your metabolism in addition severely restrictive diets where we eat too few calories can cause us to lose weight but lots of it is lean muscle which also depresses our metabolism. If we build muscle tissue this can help us to reverse that process and to make us trimmer and stronger.

11. MOVE THE MEALS AROUND:
Do you always have your biggest meal at dinner? Try eating your biggest meal for lunch or even for breakfast, with smaller meals for the remaining meals. If you regularly eat most of your points at one meal your body converts the rest of the food into stored energy...fat...so that if you balance your points out throughout the day better you can actually give your metabolism a boost by keeping it revving throughout the day instead of only one spike at dinner. Food actually helps to boost our metabolism, that's why it's important never to skip meals. There's a saying that you could help losing weight. to lose weight by eating breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper. This gives us the majority of our points early in the day when our bodies can use them because we're active instead of right before bed if we eat them at dinner.

12. TRY VARYING YOUR NUMBER OF POINTS:
Do you always eat at a certain number of points per day? Your body gets very efficient at predicting its intake and adjusts itself accordingly. Keep it guessing. Try mixing up the number of points you have...low one day, middle the next, back to low, then high end of your points. Special note: If you're very active never eat at the low end of your points, always eat middle to high end of your points and take those extra exercise points if you need them...let your hunger be your guide.

13. TAKE YOUR MEASUREMENTS AND LOOK FOR OTHER NON-SCALE SIGNS OF PROGRESS:
Often even when the scale isn't moving, we're still improving our health and our bodies which will show up in other ways other than the scale. Have your measurements gone down? How are your clothes fitting? Can you climb a flight of stairs without being winded? Has your cholesterol gone down? Can you walk now for 20 minutes when before you were huffing and puffing at 5 minutes? How do you feel?

14. ARE YOU ON AN ATTITUDE PLATEAU?:
Are you just tired of feeling like you're going to be doing this forever? Does that translate into that right now your desire to lose weight is equal to your desire for freedom from counting and having to think about points and healthy food choices? If so, then that mental attitude might be the culprit in that you're following a more relaxed adherence to the program but you think you're still doing it to the letter. Remind yourself of why you started this process, look at how far you've come. Is your goal still the same? Is it that you're scared of success, are okay with how you look right now, have you become complacent? Ask yourself these kind of questions honestly. If you're tired of the weight loss routine or have become complacent, try spicing up your food plan by trying more interesting meals and snacks, adding new foods, trying new recipes or new restaurants. Set new goals, setting a new goal can continue to challenge yourself.

15. CONSIDER MAINTENANCE:
A plateau that lasts a long time can be the practice to show you that you can maintain your weight. Sustaining weight loss is a challenge in itself. Consider doing the maintenance process so as to take a break from weight loss. Taking a break from weight loss and focusing on keeping the weight off can be the best thing to do, especially if a vacation or stressful situation is what is keeping you from continuing on your weight loss journey.

“Life's up and downs provide windows of opportunity to determine your values and goals - Think of using all obstacles as stepping stones to build the life you want"

Good news! It's OK to eat chocolate!

Courtesy of WeightWatchers.com

Chocolate can be part of a healthy diet. The key is knowing how to work it in without overdoing it. Here's how.
 
There's a reason that chocolate—that smooth, sweet indulgence—inspires gotta-have-it cravings, perhaps more than any other food: It's actually good for you. In case you hadn't heard, a battery of recent studies has given the green light to chocolate lovers everywhere.

"It's actually good for your heart and also good for your blood pressure," says Valentine Yanchou Njike, MD, MPH, of the Yale Griffin Prevention Research Center, who has researched cocoa's effect on blood vessel function. Researchers have also found that phytochemicals in cocoa, which is used to make chocolate, may improve blood vessel function, slow blood clotting, improve insulin resistance and have protective effects against cancer. And even though the labels say chocolate contains saturated fat, it's actually the kind of fat (called stearic acid) that has little effect on your cholesterol levels.

But experts warn against celebrating this good news with morning, noon and night chocolate bar binges. The dark delicacy still packs a hefty number of calories per ounce from its fat and sugar content. And as Karen Collins, MS, RD, nutrition advisor to the American Institute for Cancer Research, points out, "We have a wide range of food—vegetable, fruits, whole grains, beans—that provides thousands of phytochemicals, and so our heart and our cancer health does not depend on eating chocolate. If you load up on chocolate for the phytochemicals, then that's going to send your weight up."
 
The bottom line is that you don't have to beat yourself up for craving chocolate if you enjoy it in moderation. Here are six tips for getting a guilt-free chocolate fix.

1. Keep it pure.
"If you want chocolate, have chocolate, don't have chocolate cake," says Collins. "You'll get the intense chocolate flavor, and you won't be getting the extra calories and unhealthy fats."

2. Choose wisely.
While chocolate may have some health benefits, it should still be eaten as a treat. "It's not a substitute for fruits and vegetables; it's a substitute for other discretionary calories," says Collins. So when snacking, should you pick chocolate over a pear? Probably not. How about chocolate instead of potato chips? Yes, indeed!

3. Eat what you like.
The darker the chocolate, the more phytochemicals (and usually less sugar) it contains. Its flavor is also more intense than milk chocolate. But if you don't like the bitterness of dark chocolate, don't think it's your only option, says Collins. "If what you really like is the milk chocolate, then have what you like, because you're eating this for pleasure."

4. Think bite-size.
It usually just takes a little bit of chocolate to curb a craving. That's why Collins suggests buying chocolate in small portions. "Don't buy the larger size because the unit pricing is better…you won't stop. It's human nature," she says.

5. Get a liquid fix.
Hot cocoa is another way to enjoy chocolate. Make your own low-POINTS® value version with cocoa, skim milk or water and a sugar substitute. Look for "natural" cocoa, not "Dutch-processed." The processing significantly diminishes its phytochemical content, says Collins.

6. Savor it.
If you really love chocolate, slow down and enjoy it instead of gobbling it down on the go. This way, says Collins, "You will get so much enjoyment out of a small amount that you won't need to eat a bagful."

Super Sandwich Makers

Check out these "bread" options... (Courtesy of WeightWatchers.com)

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=78131&sc=3022

Start Over

If you've started out in pursuit of your goal
And you've really tried with your heart and soul,
But somehow things got out of control.....Start Over.

When you have tried your best to do what you should
And you thought this time that you surely would,
But once again, you didn't do good...Start Over.

When the road to success seemed much too long
And each temptation was oh so strong
And once again you gave in to wrong....Start Over

To start again means a victory's been won
And starting over again means a race well run
And starting over again proves it CAN be done
So don't just sit there....Start Over!

Puzzle Pieces

Poem that I used to close the Truths, Testimonials and Triumphs event at WW North Olmsted. Unfortunately, I cannot take credit for authoring this masterpiece... Enjoy!

EVERYTHING I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LIFE, I LEARNED FROM A JIGSAW PUZZLE

•Don't force a fit. If something is meant to be, it will come together naturally.

•When things aren't going so well, take a break. Everything will look different when you return.

•Be sure to look at the big picture. Getting hung up on the little pieces only leads to frustration.

•Perseverance pays off. Every important puzzle went together bit by bit, piece by piece.

•The creator of the puzzle gave you the picture as a guidebook. Refer to the creator’s guidebook often.

•Don't be afraid to try different combinations. Some matches are surprising.

•Take time to celebrate your successes (even little ones).

•Anything worth doing takes time and effort. A great puzzle can't be rushed.

•When you finally reach the last piece, don’t be sad. Rejoice in the masterpiece you’ve made.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge

One of my favorite Hungry Girl recipes... 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge

One box of Brownie Mix

2 cups of canned pure pumpkin

2 tbsp reduced-fat peanut butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine pumpkin w/brownie mix in a large bowl and stir until smooth (batter will be very thick, but don’t add anything else!)

Spray a square baking pan (9” x 9”) with nonstick spray and pour in the mixture. Spoon peanut butter on top and use a knife to swirl it around the top of the batter. Bake in the oven for 35 minutes. (The batter will remain very thick and fudgy, and it should look undercooked.) Allow to cool.

Cover pan with foil and place pan in the fridge for at least 2 hours. Cut into 36 squares.

36 Servings = 2 POINTS per serving

(If you use super-low in fat and high fiber brownie mix, the POINTS will vary.)

Zero POINTS Vegetable Soups

Special thanks to WW member, Jenny, at WW North Olmsted for bringing this WeightWatchers.com article to my attention!

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=47881&sc=3026

Portion Control

Great article I found about Portion Size...

http://www.webmd.com/diet/healthtool-portion-size-plate

Celebrate the 4th!

Courtesy of WeightWatchers.com....

Independence Day is one of the most anticipated days of summer. This is no restrained, small-scale celebration. It’s all about excess: food, fun, and, of course, fireworks.


Just because you want to go all-out for fun, though, doesn't mean you have to literally go for broke. We're all still being careful about money, and we're all trying to eat healthier, too. But you can still celebrate the day with all the festive glory it deserves. Even if your plans are last-minute, invite some people over. Fire up the grill. Entertaining friends doesn’t have to be an expensive or gut-busting experience. Here’s how to do the food on the cheap and the décor even cheaper with crafty DIY ideas. You can still get your red, white and blue on without shelling out too much green.

Read more about staying on plan for the 4th!
http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=75981

Weight Watchers Oatmeal Pancakes

How fun is this??

You can make pancakes out of WW Oatmeal (found in meeting rooms and on sale for $5.00 this week)!!

Ingredients = 1 cup Weight Watchers Oatmeal  & ½ cup egg beaters (or 3 egg whites)

In a bowl, mix ingredients. Spray non-stick skillet/pan. Pour mix into pan to make 1 big pancake or 2 medium pancakes.

Makes: 1 serving/POINTS value per serving: 3

Summer Sabotage

Courtesy of WeightWatchers.com...

Summer isn't always an easy time to lose weight. We'll show you how to keep this "light" season from getting heavy. Appetite tends to decrease as the temperature rises, so losing weight this summer should be no problem, right? Not necessarily. Between barbecues, weddings, visits and vacations, this time of year can actually be a weight-loss minefield.

Food is often the focus of our summer entertaining, and it's easy to lose sight of how much you're consuming. When you're at a party, before you pick up a plate, scan your options, suggests Susie Klein, MS, RD. "Think about what you really want, then get a plate and follow through on those choices."

Size does matter, so keep portion control in mind, says Ellie Krieger, MS, RD. And while you may be tempted to take a vacation from sensible eating while you're enjoying time off, Krieger advises that you merely loosen up rather than abandon your diet plan altogether. "When you're on vacation, allow yourself a little treat." Here are five more strategies for staying on track all season.

Guest work
When invited for to a barbecue or picnic, contribute a chopped vegetable salad or some other healthful dish. That way you'll know there's at least one item on the menu that's low in calories.

Sit down
Rather than grazing throughout the party, get a plate, take small amounts of the food you want, sit down and enjoy it. Calories mount up, one nibble at a time, if you're hanging out at the buffet table mindlessly eating as much finger food as you want.

Get moving
After eating, leave the table — and the temptation — and do something active. Take a walk on the beach, play catch with the kids, start a volleyball or softball game, toss a Frisbee® or football. Take the focus off food while you burn your meal away.

Deceptive drinks
On a hot day it's easy to down glass after glass of lemonade or punch, but unless you've made it yourself and know for sure, be aware that it's probably loaded with sugar. Summer favorites such as smoothies and frozen margaritas can also be highly caloric. The best way to quench your thirst is with water. Make it flavorful by adding slices of orange, lemon or lime.

Treat yourself
Delectable doesn't have to be decadent. Indulge with lobster (spare the butter) and other seafood. Corn grilled in the husk is flavorful without added calories from butter. And it wouldn't be summer without watermelon. It's fun to eat, loaded with nutrients and low in calories.

Portion Primer

Courtesy of WeightWatchers.com...


You know that 3 ounces of steak is a healthy portion, but do you know what 3 ounces looks like? Can you tell at a glance how much a half a cup of potato salad is, or a cup of pasta? Here's your pictorial guide to portion sizes for your favorite foods. Look up foods by category or browse them all to find familiar visual cues to what a portion looks like. You'll be a master of portions in no time.

Check out the portion sizes guide!

Stephanie's 5K Walk Photos

I thought I saw each and every one of my WW members on Sunday that participated, but looking through the photos I noticed people who I didn't realize were there. If I missed any names on the photo captions, please let me know. I tried my best to remember everyone.  

Enjoy the photos!  

(If you have any that you would like me to add, please email them to me at stephanie@wwleader.com)

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who participated and made this 5K Walk possible! I won't list names for fear of missing anyone... but, you know who you are! Your help meant the world to me!

More than  70 WW Members and 30+ family members and friends (along with a dozen four-legged friends) attended the 5K Walk today.

You are all truly amazing! Each and every one of you inspires and motivates me every day! I feel truly blessed to have the best-est job in the world and the best-est WW members/friends!

More photos to come... I'm creating an online photo album for everyone to view and/or purchase photos. (If you have any that you would like me to add, please email them to me at stephanie@wwleader.com)

What to Eat at the Ballpark

Courtesy of WeightWatchers.com


We compare 10 popular concession-stand grabs — and see which hit home runs. At Milwaukee's Miller Park they're serving soy burgers, and at New York's Citi Field you can get anything from fresh fish to pulled pork.

Sports arenas have heard the cry for more nutritious food options and stepped up to the plate. But when your friend is eating a foot-long hot dog in the seat next to you, having a salad just won't cut it.

"It's silly to tell people not to have a hot dog at a ball game," says David Grotto, RD, LDN, and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. "Go ahead and eat those foods, but go in with a game plan."

Here's how the players on the menu score:

Smart picks

Cracker Jacks
The song doesn't tell you to buy peanuts and Cracker Jacks for nothing. An 8 oz. box of Cracker Jack runs 4.5 POINTS® values and contains protein-packed nuts, making it one of the smarter options if you're craving something sweet.

Grilled chicken sandwich
For a change of pace, swap your burger for a grilled chicken sandwich. An average grilled chicken sandwich will only cost you 7 POINTS values. Hamburgers without garnishes can run you anywhere from 9 to 13 POINTS values.

Hot dog
A regular hot dog with mustard is 8 POINTS values. Yellow mustard is a better topping choice than sugar-laden relish or ketchup. Sauerkraut has 0 POINTS values per serving, says Grotto.

Nachos
A 4-ounce serving of six to eight nachos will cost you 9 POINTS values; substitute salsa for the cheese and you'll tip the scales down to 7.

Roasted peanuts
Raw and roasted peanuts, with or without shells, are both a filling and vitamin-packed snack. But don't go overboard; at 11 POINTS values for half a cup of dry roasted unsalted peanuts you don't want to start mindlessly crunching. "A big bag of peanuts is meant for sharing," says Grotto. "Stick with just a few handfuls."

Once-in-a-while choices

Soft pretzel
At 5.5 POINTS values for the 5-ounce, supersize soft pretzel, you may as well go for a hot dog. "There aren't a whole lot of nutrients in the pretzels," says Grotto, pointing out that the lack of nutrients and fiber put it as a once-in-a-while choice.

Popcorn
Although popcorn is generally a good snack choice — 5 cups of 94% fat-free microwaved popcorn is only 1 POINTS value — stadium popcorn is the enemy in disguise, says Grotto. "When people think popcorn, they think of a light snack, but even if you opt for plain concession-stand popcorn, it has been popped in oil that is filled with 'bad cholesterol'-raising trans-fats."

French fries
You know they're no smart pick, but you might be surprised at just how costly they can be. A 6-ounce bag of fries can use up to 11 POINTS values.

Chicken tenders
"Remember that tenders are just fried chicken," says Grotto. They may look little, but a three-piece box of Nathan's Chicken Tenders is 13 POINTS values.

Chicken Caesar wrap
Seems like a healthy choice? Think again. At 16 POINTS values, the fatty dressing and cheese in a 6-inch Caesar wrap makes it an expensive grab. If choices are limited and the alternatives are worse, cut it in half and share it.