How do WW cookbooks compare to CL's?

[Lynn B]

Hello!

I just got yet another advertisement in the mail for a WW cook book. This time it's for the "WW Annual Recipes for Success - 2001" ("not available in stores!!!" http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif)

It does look yummy... but before I pop for 4 easy monthly installments of $4.99 each http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif (and join the blasted club!!!!) I thought I'd get your much-valued opinions!

How do the WW recipes/cookbooks compare to CL's? I don't own ANY WW stuff, and I don't "do" WW, so the points, etc., don't really matter to me - although, of course, wonderful and delicious "light cooking" does.

So - what'dya think -- should I sign on the dotted line?!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

THANKS so much!

Lynn

[Melman]

I just saw one of the Weight Watchers books at Sam's Wholesale (when I went back to buy my brand new Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker). I've been "pretending" to do the point system so thought I'd check it out. I'm not sure if I saw the same book you've mentioned, but the one I saw didn't impress me. The names of the recipes and some of the ingredients were just sort of so-so. Now, I have to admit, I only flipped through it quickly so didn't really give it a good chance. I'm almost certain it was less than $20...and NO shipping & handling!!!! :-)

[Tiger]

Lynn,
I only have one WW but I'm not crazy about it. Nothing I've ever made was like Wow! I have so much more sucess with CL cookbooks. But I've read positive things on this board about WW cookbooks and have said I'll go back and try again, but never have. Patty

[schuh]

I was on & off WW for years and I have several WW cookbooks (from the pre-points era). They are all in my garage sale pile. Very few recipes, if any, from them were in my "keeper" file. I found the recipes from CL to be much better.

[Marciakay]

I've been fighting my weight for 20 years, and have all the WW books, and all the Cooking Light. I seriously prefer CL. They are much more realistic and lifestyle-altering. The WW recipes are a little too drastic for me, and therefore loose flavor. I am guessing you would have to work very hard to get a week's worth of CL recipes down to 1200 calories a day to lose weight quickly. They are more about gradual change.

[goldilocks]

Lynn B - I always scan through the WW cookbooks at my weekly meetings, and discovered that a lot of the recipes have been published in Cooking Light! This made sense though since CL and WW had the same publisher for a while. Save your money!

[gabbyh]

Two of my favorite WW Cookbooks are:
Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook 1998, and Simply the Best 1997...although I do get tempted when I receive those beautiful colored flyers in the mail with the yummy looking recipes...I have seen most of the new WW Cookbooks at SAM'S Club or BJ's Wholesale and the older ones at half.com...

[Jewel]

Both of the WW cookbooks I used to own were sold on Half.com. I much prefer the CL books, not just 'cause I'm loyal ( http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif ) but because I seem to like the creativity of CL's recipes more. CL uses more spices, more herbs, and generally comes up with more unique ideas. Of course, CL also comes up with new takes on old favorites, which is always fun to see!

If it were me I'd forget THAT club and stick with ours...we're much more fun! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[jd]

Lynn B, I agree with the others - I prefer CL cookbooks for flavour and variety. There was a thread a while ago that discussed how the points of most CL recipes are too high for WW members. Some of the excellent responses were that CL is for healthy living. Since I've been on maintenance on WW, I've found that the CL recipes/portions are perfect for maintaining, but some were too high in points for me while losing weight. You may find that the WW cookbook is more geared to losing weight - ie, lower calories and smaller portion sizes - than CL and they may not be as suitable, depending on what you are trying to achieve. Sorry to be so long winded!

[Lynn B]

Thank you, everyone for your responses!

Based on your advice, I will be strong http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif and resist the WW book club temptation!!!

Thanks again!!!!

Lynn

[ebobbitt]

I am a lifetime WW member who is strugging once again to lose those pounds. Before CL I used the WW exclusively but now I NEVER use my WW cookbooks. I can't tell you when I last bought one. I find the recipes in CL to be so much tastier. Of course, some of them are higher in points than something you would find in a WW cookbook but I think the taste is well worth the extra points.
Elizabeth

[tobykitty]

I have several of the WW cookbooks and I agree that CL is much better. I have found some great recipes from WW but there were definetely more misses than hits. If you are not looking to lose weight or count points I would stick with CL.

However, I do want to add that I never have any problems incorporating CL recipes into my daily points. I guess it all depends on individual eating habits.