Places to go for lunch while on Weight Watchers:
Panera- Do not go there and order a sandwich. I repeat, do not order a sandwich. Way too many calories!
I usually get their French Onion soup, in a ceramic bowl, NOT a bread bowl, don't kid yourself. If you eat just the soup, even with croutons and cheese, it's only 5 points. Without the cheese and croutons, it's approximately 1.5 points!!!! But, you have to have some joy in life, so I leave the cheese and croutons in. Don't eat the chips or baguette, this will only add points. Get the apple slices, which are now 0 points on the new PointsPlus program! Resist the cashier's sales pitch to add a pastry for "just 99 cents." You don't want it, trust me. But even if you don't believe me, do the math: one oatmeal raisin cookie, which is one of the healthier cookies there, works out to 8 points! (You can find all this nutritional information on the Panera website, just use your WW points calculator to figure it out. This step is necessary if you want to lose weight on this program. ) Also: the salads here are all about 15 points or more. Save those points for dinner!
Pita Pit- This place is new to me, since moving to SWFL, but they are awesome! They have very fresh ingredients and they make your pita right in front of you, you tell them what you want on it. Again, use self restraint, stay away from things like bacon, mayo, a lot of cheeses, etc. and don't get any sides. I got the chicken souvlaki, with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, feta cheese and tzatsiki sauce, on a whole wheat pita, with a diet soda for 8 points! There is a handy little online tool you can use to figure out a myriad of combinations, go to their site: USA, and go to "Build a Pita". Spend a little time with this and your points finder to find what works for you, and then order only that when you go. The pitas there are quite large and filling, so skip those chocolate chip cookies or Baked chips by the register.
Chinese food- Get the wonton soup. The general rule is 1pt. per wonton. About 4.5 points for a pint. No eggrolls! No screwing around! I try not to eat much Chinese these days as it is high in sodium. Definitely don't eat it before you weigh in. A mixed vegetable dish, might be ok, but it's difficult to estimate the points value, so just avoid that, for now.
Wendy's-There are a few options at Wendy's. They have some nice salads, most of which are less than 10 pts. Of course, all dressings, croutons, etc will add points. The baked potato is a nice, filling option; plain is 5 pts, with broccoli and cheese, 9 points. I have it with a diet Coke, and I'm all set. The chili is another, filling, low point option; a small is only 4 points, according the WW website.
Pizza-1 slice is about 8 points. For a plain slice. If you must add something, add veg to it.
McDonalds- What the hell are you doing there???? You know you're not supposed to be in there!!!!
OK- If you are trapped on a desert island, and the only place open is Mickey D's, get the Garden salad,
no dressing, 0 points, or a Fruit n Yogurt Parfait, 3 to 8 points, depending on size and whether you get granola or not. But seriously, stay away from there. Make someone else order for you, if possible. I find it best to stay out of that place, lest the smell of salty-greasy-badness overpower my brain, causing me to order a large fries, and then it's just a downward spiral from there...
Taco Bell- Order from the Fresco menu, to be safe. I like the Chicken Ranchero Fresco, which is tasty and only 6 points. No nachos!
It goes without saying that you should try to drink as much water as possible, and if you can add a fruit or vegetable, au naturale, go for it!
I will add to this list, as time goes on. In the meantime, try to bring your lunch!
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