Suggestions for a Teenager

[luckylori]

My 13-year-old son just started Weight Watchers last night. He's never experienced any kind of diet before, although he's always been aware of calories and fat grams, etc., since I've always been a CL type of cook. Do any of you have any teen-friendly suggestions for breakfasts/lunches/dinners/snacks? He hates anything with even the tiniest onion or pepper or mushroom in it.
Lunches sent to school seem to be a particular challenge, since a regular sandwich has a lot of points involved. I'd love any and all suggestions...thanks!

[JJeannette]

For lunch sandwiches Hillshire makes lean lunchmeat---6 slices for 1 point or Budig's have a lean version as well. Light bread or buns, FF mayo and lots of lettuce or other free veggies to crunch. For breakfast, he could try Kashi cereal, or light bun, Healthy Choice sausages, and egg substitute with ff or low-fat cheese for a breakfast sandwich---or the same stuff rolled in a low-fat tortilla with salsa on top. For snacks--there's popcorn, rice cakes, WOW potato chips, Blue Bunny Sweet Freedom fudge bars, make a dip using FF mayo or Miracle Whip and ranch dressing mix---great with those free veggies and can be thinned with a bit of water to use as salad dressing. Oh, just remembered---I bet he would like the new Body Smart candies----like a Starburst, but a package of 10 candies are only 2 points! The candy bars from the same company are higher points, but healthy as well.

For more ideas check out the weightwatcher sites---.

[amcleod]

Hi Lori,

I am a WWer so I thought I would give you a few suggestions. Most importantly, if your son is really taking this seriously, this is a perfect opportunity for him to "expand his horizons" so to speak. Before I joined WW, I didn't eat beans or most vegetables. Now, I eat everything I used to "hate" (except for mushrooms) because of their low point-value, fiber content, etc etc. I tried all these things because of WW so maybe your son will come around.

How many points per day does he get?

Anyways, as for suggestions.

Breakfast
English muffin with (not too much) peanut butter. This is 4 points total and keeps the tummy full. One week I decided I needed a change and had cereal. I got hungry by 11, where with the e.m. and p.b. I was satisfied til almost 1.

Egg whites - 3 egg whites for 1 point. You could scramble 'em, make an omelet, etc. Even scamble and add a slice of low-fat cheese for 2 points and put on an english muffin for a total of 5 points. Betcha he'd like that. (Many times I will have an egg white omelete for dinner w/onion, spinach, and tomatoes. Filling and good.)

Lunch
Since I can heat stuff in the microwave or toaster oven at work, I don't have too many real-life suggestions. Can your son have salad at the cafeteria? Soup and salad is a good option because you have a variety of flavors going on and it is filling. By soup I mean broth based i.e. chicken noodle, vegetable, etc.

Once he learns the program he can definitely eat in the cafeteria because he will know what the smart choices are. He could have a slice of pizza even, as long as he keeps it to one slice and doesn't get pepperoni or sausage on it ;)

Snacks
0-Point veggies of course - celery, peppers, etc etc.
Baked chips w/salsa (baked chips 2 points/serving, salsa 0)
Fruit - usu 1 point each
Light FF yogurt - usu 2 points
94% FF microwave popcorn - points vary by brand, but generally the whole entire bag is 4 points
Silhouette skinny Cow Ice Cream Sandwiches - 2 points each. they look like Carvel Flying Saucers. Only certain grocery stores carry them.

OK, this is getting way too long! I would just remind you (and him) that no food is off-limits, you just have to figure out how to fit it in. The most important thing is to pay attention to portion sizes. I am sure for him that he won't want to seem different than everyone else, eating a salad when they're having burgers. He can have a burger too. It is just learning how to fit it in

As his mom, I would suggest that you thouroughly read his WW materials so YOU know the point values of everything you buy and make. Borrow his point-finder when you cook - tell him how many points per serving something is (you can figure out the points with the nutritional info) and let HIM decide how many servings he'll have. Put the onus on him, don't ever say, "Honey are you sure you can have all that?" because that will just make him feel bad and eat it out of spite, anger, self-pity, blah blah blah. Trust me, I have been there.

Big congratulations to your son. And way to go for being such a great mom and trying to find out all this stuff for him!!

ann
(I joined WW in January and reached my goal in June, lost 20 pounds.)

[tammy/MN]

kudos to your son for joining ww. don't forget tortilla wraps for lunch w/ lean buddig meats. you might want to try "kids choice" bread, it is white bread but w/ the fiber of wheat-filling & low fat.

pay attention to fiber, it is very filling, but don't go hog wild bc it takes some adjustments.

there are great bagels, cinnamon raisin toast, by (help me out here) great harvest breads. they also make a very filling wheat dinner roll, that is only 2 pts.

if he doesn't like veggies, he might like to drink v-8 juice w/ his lunch or for a snack.

don't let him think that some things are forbidden--i hate it when my DH or DD ask me if "that is on weight watchers? everything is on as long as it is accounted for.

good luck, you might want to visit the WW-bb, thought it isn't half as good as CL, they do give some great tips, & i think they have BB's for different ages.

[luckylori]

You are all awesome, and I sure thank you for all the tips and suggestions. Yes, I've checked out WW's website, but I'm really enjoying this one now that I've recently found it. I will continue to check over there as well. He's supposed to do 20-25 points (they get 2 extra for being a teenager)...I'm gonna do this with him, and I would be 18-23 points. Fortunately, he will eat veggies like broccoli, and he loves fat free Italian dressing. I just want to keep this as interesting as possible for him, so he can keep it up. Thanks again everyone!

[Terri-Lynn2]

How about pizzas made from tortillas (I know there are fat free ones and low fat varieties), these are good warmed up the next day for lunch or eaten cold. We love ours with turkey bacon and veggies.

Also, a friend who is on weight watchers sent me a weight watchers magazine called "Just Like Home" that she got at her meetings. It is a great book (more like a book then a magazine) and they have some great lunch ideas in there, and the points are calculated on each recipe.

Hope this helps. Good luck to him!

Terri

[tammy/MN]

Originally posted by luckylori
[Fortunately, he will eat veggies like broccoli, and he loves fat free Italian dressing. I just want to keep this as interesting as possible for him, so he can keep it up. Thanks again everyone! [/B]

we love rice w/ ff italian dressing as a side at supper, both my daughters, 10 & 4, love it. to pump up the fiber, i mix white w/ brown & they haven't caught on yet. if i use my rice steamer, i will put cut up pieces of broccoli & cauliflower on top of the rice once it is done, & steam for another 5 min or so. then the rice is still easiely measured out, i can add the veggies i want & top w/ dressing. even my DH has started eating it that way.

BTW i will use ff italian dressing in my tortilla wraps w/ broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, etc. it can get messy, so i wouldn't recommend it for school lunches.

keep us updated, i have been on ww, on & off, for about 8 yrs. this time it WILL work. i came close to goal 7 yrs ago, by 5#, & have always gone back to it. ww works, if you intergrate it in your life, for a lifetime.

[Peggy C.]

If he likes soup I know that WW used to have a great soup that was very low if not 0 points. Maybe someone can share it, I don't think I have it anymore.

[Molli526]

Lori-

I am a Lifetime WW :) - fora month now- and I know how trying it is. They aren't lying about the water, lots and lots of water. My food hints...

Kashi Good Friends Cereal - 1pt per serving.
FF/ SF Yogurt (I always ate Dannon b/c I got more than Yoplait)
D'Italiano Light Bread You get 2 slices for 1 pt!
Spray Butter- Free!
Sugar free jello- Free!
Skinny Moo Ice Cream Sandwiches- 2pts
Cottage Cheese w/ SF Jello Powder & Pineapple
WOW chips/ Pringles
Body Smarts
Homemade Hummus (less fat that way)
Pirate's Boody- Awesome Snack- 2 pts for an oz- a whole lot!
The Cabbage Soup, which is in th book. That really saved me, I should really make more.
Egg white omelettes
Homemade Pizza- less cheese, fewer calories, more veggies
Flavored Water- the calorie free kind
Taco Bell Pintos and Cheese- 3 pts
" " Bean Burrito- 8pts
Tilapia (type of fish, mild tasting)
LF Chewy Granola Bars- 2pts
FiBar- most are 2 pts
SF popsicles
Toll House Choc. Chip break and bake cookies- 2 pts ea.- if you have the will power to have them in the house :)
Healthy Choice LF ice creams
Beans, beans and more beans! (high fiber makes it low points)

Hope this helps.

Molli

[greysangel]

Not lifetime but someday *sigh*

I would also recommend wrap type sandwiches as tortillas are less fat.

Kraft 2% singles are a godsend :) 1pt per slice and the stuff melts.

Swiss Miss ff Chocolate pudding packs - great to pack with lunch and I think it's either 1 or 2 pts

Kashi Go Lean - great for breakfast and it really holds you over

Rice Krispy Treats - individually wrapped they vary but are all pretty low point.. I think the most is 4 pts for the chocolate covered ones. The idea here is you want to incorporate normal stuff too in small portions. This way he doesn't feel left out and learns that it's not all about fat free "diet" everything.

Oreo - 1pt per oreo!!

Fruit packed as lunch or a snack...dried fruits are great too.

Dannon fit yogurt is 2 pts per serving and some of the flavors are pretty darn good :)

If you have the deli thin slice cold cuts, 2 ounces actually seems like a lot ...kooky logic but it works for me!

Another idea is to call the school cafeteria and get nutritional information for some of their standard stuff. You would be surprised at how accomodating people can be and there are a lot of kids that have dietary restrictions. This way your son can "splurge" on school lunch like pizza...I always thought buying lunch at school was a treat :)

Subway 6" clubs ...many of the under 6 grams of fat are like 6-7 points.

Graham Crackers with peanut butter - great snack! 2 sheets of graham crackers are 3 pts...spread 1 TBSP of Peanut Butter on it and it's 5 pts. My favorite are the cinnamon graham crackers :)

That's about all my brain can think up for now...I may have more tomorrow ;)

OH! The oriental snack mix...I bought some recently and was surprised...it's pretty low point because some of the crunchy spicy things are actually dried soy beans and stuff.

JeAnne

[JJeannette]

http://pub17.ezboard.com/bdottisweightlosszone

http://www.healthdiscovery.net/

Lori, these are my two favorite sites for recipes using WW.

Don't forget the exercise---go for walks, swims, whatever works for both of you-----.

[tammy/MN]

Originally posted by greysangel


OH! The oriental snack mix...I bought some recently and was surprised...it's pretty low point because some of the crunchy spicy things are actually dried soy beans and stuff.

JeAnne

what is the oriental snack mix? i'm BACK on ww again, 5 wks, & looking for heallthy snacks, for me & my 10 yr old dd, who thinks she is fat bc she isn't model thin!!:eek:

i'm trying to stay away from anything sf, w/ nutrasweet etc, which is really hard, so about all i drink is water....& an occasional Mike's Hard Lemonade which i think is about 2 pts. :D

this has been a great thread!!!

tammy

[greysangel]

Tammy...hate to burst your bubble but Mike's Hard Lemonade is 5 whopping points!! :o

as for the oriental snack mix, I get them in NYC at any deli but they can probably be found in a nature foods store as well. I seemed to remember 1 serving being 2 pts and it was a big serving. There is no "brand name"...I have noticed that in the nature food stores they package them like nuts (in little baggies with no nutritional info). Next time I go to the deli (I will stop by at lunch!), I will pull the package and get nutritional info :D.

There are tons of snacks and ways to stay on program and not go the fat free everything route. Next week is my year anniversary and I have lost 108 pounds...most of that was on "real food". I do admit to resorting to bulk eating and fat free once a month when I want to eat anything that's not nailed down :)

Be back later!

JeAnne

[Molli526]

Wow, I didn't know a Mike's was 5 pts! I always counted it as 4 and I thought that was bad but 5, h*ll no!

[luckylori]

Tammy, that was a good idea about the FF Italian dressing on rice with veggies. I think he'd like that. I don't know if you've ever done this before, but I'll often do a big pan of chicken with potatoes, carrots, onion, green peppers, yellow squash...sprinkle everything with garlic, salt, pepper and paprika and pour FF Italian dressing over it. It's quite tasty. I do have to cook the potatoes and carrots til just tender before baking, though or they don't get done.
Thanks, everyone for all the suggestions! We have made it through day 1, and now that I've made a grocery store run, we're better prepared with lighter breads, etc.