I need ideas: What do you keep in your WW pantry?

[KathyTX]

I'm trying to flush out the indiscretions of all the holiday food by refocusing on WW. My plan is to make a fresh start, and part of that means getting rid of all the leftover goodies and making sure my kitchen is WW friendly!

It would help me a lot to have some new ideas about what belongs in a WW friendly kitchen.

There are a number of foods I try to always have on hand... WW friendly stuff that I know I can easily turn to when I need to throw together a meal or snack. Here are some of the things I try to ALWAYS have on hand:

I Can't Believe It's Not Butter spray- 0 points, and it really does taste like butter!

Whole Wheat Tortillas, low fat/high fiber - 1 point, and great for wraps.

Salsa- 0 points , spices up everything from eggs to chicken to veggies.

Canned Black Beans- 1/2 cup is 1 point. High protein and high fiber.

WW 2 point bars, or Slimfast Snack bars- 2 points, and satisfying when I'm really craving a candy bar.

Low Fat Yogurt- 2 points, and it's a milk serving!

Skim Milk- 2 points for 1 cup

Sugar Free Fudgesicles - only 1 point, and satifies my chocolate and ice cream cravings at the same time

Veggie snacks- 0 points. I try to keep carrot and celery sticks sliced and ready to grab from the fridge to satify that crunch urge and keep me away from the chips.

Shaved lunch meats - those little bags of thinly sliced lunch meats. Each pack is 3 points. I can use 1, 2, or 3 points worth in a tortilla for a really low-point wrap.

Fruit - i try to keep all kinds of fruit on hand, especially apples and bananas. An easy snack, or a quick breakfast on the run.

Do you have certain foods or ingredients that you try to keep on hand all the time?

 

[TammyNC]

Thanks for sharing your tips, I have got to do the same thing as my habits haven't been the best here lately. It is so important to have these type of thing on hand to help keep up from grabbing the items that are so high in points. I don't have any other suggestions for you, but hopefully others can give you some.

My one main problem is breakfast. I am not a breakfast eater and have gotten away from that as well. It is so important to have eat breakfast I know, so that is another thing that I am going to focus on.

Thanks again for posting and I'll look forward to others suggestions.

 

[Samandmom]

Thank you Kathy for posting this. I too could use some ideas. Some things that I keep on hand:
1. Flavored rice cakes are only 1 point
2. WW ice cream sandwiches are 2 points (they are expensive though about $4.25 for 6)
3. Low fat popcorn 1 point for 3-5 cups (depending on which one you get) This helps me ALOT at night.
4. I keep lite bread on hand only 1 point for two pieces.

I hope everyone else has some ideas for us.

 

[jillwdw]

Thanks for the suggestions. I look forward to more. I need to get back on track myself. I like to keep some smartones dinners in the freezer in case dh and ds are eating pizza or something else I can't or shouldn't eat. I also use them for work. I like the smartones desserts too. I find they are tasty and curb the sweet tooth. I also keep salad fixins available. When I really need a candy bar fix, I eat a peppermint patty-3pts. Anyway, I am anxious to get the pantry back into WW mode and out of holiday mode! Happy New Year!

 

[tiggerlover]

I need little emergency foods in my house for when a craving hits. One thing I keep for chocolate emergencies is Healthy Choice Chocolate Chocolate Chip ice cream, a one cup serving is 4 points (1/2 cup is 2 pts.) and when TOM rolls around and I need chocolate this is what I turn to. I also keep Healthy Choice cracked pepper crackers around, you can have 5 crackers for 1 point. Trisket thins, 15 crackers for 2 points. Nutra Grain Banana Muffin Bars, 3 points. (Can you tell I am a carb-a-holic?) I also like to keep popsicles on hand because they are a great one point food. I do keep on hand some of the items you mentioned as well. If I think of anything else I will post it.

 

[AlreadyexcitedGrammy]

well actually all of the above mentioned. Here's a couple I don't think I saw listed........

My latest hot beverage is Swiss Miss diet/calcium (25 calories) and I add a tsp of instant coffee and wal-la I have a cappauchino for .3 pt !

Hot flavored teas are a standard (can you tell its cooler weather here in Ohio and need that "comfort" feel lately)

Always have the little cups of Sugarfree jello available and ff cool whip too!

Kathy - I too am recommitting to WW counting - just like a new member - and with GUSTO - I didn't make the chat the night you talked about it, but ohMom recapped for me! Agreed that the holidays did take a toll (up 3.5 for me) so not too hateful, but I am with ya and everyone who says its time for the "charge"!!!

I'm off to walk..................

 

[Jiminy102]

Some of the things I keep on hand that have not been mentioned are

Sugar free instant pudding
SF jello
Lite cool whip
Angel food cake mix
low
fat free or ff sour cream
low fat cheese
low fat or ff cream cheese
egg beaters

 

[MelanieC]

Oh what a fun thread!!

My eating has definately changed since June, and I really try to stay away from a lot of processed foods and stick to a lot more all natural foods. Not that I don't indulge once in a while, or don't have my favorites that I haven't found alternatives for....but I really have tried to find lower fat, healthier, more natural versions of my favorite foods. I also will have something that has a little more fat and calories, but is all-natural over a version that has more chemicals and artificial flavorings. I have also tried to get rid of most things that have hydrogenated oils in it.


*breyers all natural popcicles 1pt
*Starbucks lowfat mocha and mocha fudge bars- Heavenly, not all natural - but not too bad either. Out of this world - 2 pts

*Devonsheer (Old London) Sesame Rounds- 5 for 1 pt
*Kashi TLC Crackers-Plain 15 for 2 pts

*Sargento 2% sharp cheddar cheese =1oz for 2 pts
*low fat feta cheese- 1/4 cup=2 pts
*whole parmesean cheese- I don't count the points-I lightly use this on lots of things for a little extra flavor (pizza, spagetti, etc).
*Kraft FF cheese, or Reduced fat shredded cheese

*All natural/organic flour tortillas- 3 points each. This is an item that I could get one for 1.5 points or less but I prefer to have a more natural alternative for more.
*Corn Tortillas-1 point each
*homemade salsa
I make cheese quesadillas, or I spray corn tortillas with pam and bake. I sometimes add refried beans to both, cheese and homemade salsa. Its a huge plate of food for hardly any points.

*fat free refried beans-
*assorted beans-black, chickpeas etc.

*tuna (1 egg, 1 can tuna & some chopped onion makes awesome tuna patties for 5 points).
*potatoes (shredded with onions and lightly fried in Pam is so tasty.

*Veggies - all kinds chopped up
Fruit-all kinds - Sometimes prior to dinner I will chop up a pear and everyone will have a piece to keep away the hunger while waiting.

*nuts & dried cranberries are awesome to add to salads for flavorings. I don't use many dressings, but rather add things like feta, blue cheese (just cheese) & it doesn't need dressing.

*all-natural peanut butter- 1 tbsp is 2 pts
*Peppridge Farms all-natural whole grain breads- 1.5 per slice.

*Near-East couscous
*Brown rice
*Salmon
*Shrimp
*Fish
The fish and shrimp are frozen, and I can whip up a great lowfat, healthy plate full of food that is tasty and filling.

*Gardenburger brand veggie burgers- 2 points
spray bread with pam and toast, saute roasted red peppers, mushrooms in Pam and put on top with some feta cheese. YUMMY!

Can't wait to hear what's in everyone's pantry.

 

[mowsie dreamer]

Lots of good ideas! I'll have to try Healthy Choice Chocolate Chocolate Chip Ice Cream. Sounds good!

I like the ff sf cocoa, too. It's 0 points and I make it with a cup of 1% milk (2 pts). Makes the cocoa taste so much better and I get a milk serving in that way.

I also like:

Brummel & Brown spread (1 pt for 1 Tbsp). Very good on a baked potato.

Campbell's Tomato Soup at Hand (2 pts) - These come in microwavable containers. I like to keep a couple on hand at work, in case I don't have time to make my lunch in the morning.

Jello FF Pudding Snacks in Chocolate or Choc & Vanilla Swirl (2 pts)

Seven Seas FF Raspberry Vinaigrette Salad Dressing (1 pt for 2 Tbsp.) Yummy on a salad!

 

[ohMom]

i love threads like this!!


thanks for all the great ideas - already added some suggestions to my shopping list!!

OK - lots of my staples have already been mentioned, so i'll just try to remember the others not mentioned yet

Smart Pop Orville Redenbacher kettle korn - 4 pts per bag which is two servings - they have smaller bags too

Fat Free Waffles - 1 pt each - I spread 1/2 TBSP R-F Jif along with ICINButter spray for quick 2 pt breakfast or snack

Sugar Snap peas - 0 pts

Post Bran Flakes - 3/4 cup for 1 pt

 

[KathyTX]

I've gotten lots of new ideas from you guys, and some reminders about favorite things that I'd forgotten about! Thanks!!!

Another recently rediscovered favorite:

Barry's French Twists - 1 point! Flaky pastry sticks in various yummy flavors. I think Snacky Stacky was the one who I first heard about these from. These are GREAT with a cup of coffee, and are a great substitute for a cookie.

 

[Samandmom]

Kathy, the Barry's French Twists sound good. What section in the grocery do you find these?

 

[KathyTX]

I usually find them in the bakery section at Super Target. I've also seen them at World Market (Costplus).

I found a list of retailers by state. In CT, they should be available at: Stop'n'Shop, A&P, Stu Leonard's, Walgreens, Linens'n'Things, and
CostPlus World Market.

Here's what the package looks like:

 

[QueenTrident]

I think MelanieC raided my fridge, because that's almost everything I was going to say!

Let's see what else (sorry if I duplicate):

Baked Tostitos - bited sized (2 pts for 20 chips)

Vegetarian chili (can't remember points, but great with FF cheddar and FF sour cream)

Morningstar Veggie Burgers (I especially like the cheeseburger one, which is 2 pts).

Light English muffins (1 pt) - great for making tuna melts or mini-pizza

Corn Pasta (3 pts for 2 oz uncooked)

Fiber One Cereal (0 pts for 1/2 cup) - Great in Light & Fit Yogurt

Danon Light & Fit Yogurt (2 pts)

WW shake mix + 8 oz ff milk + 2 TBS of FF cool whip + ice = 3 pts of heaven (and both milk requirements)

Kraft 2% singles (1 pt per slice) - I use them on tuna melts, to make grilled cheese

Skinny Cow or WW Ice Cream Sandwiches (2 pts) - I get whichever is cheaper

Sliced Portobello Mushrooms - (0 pts) Makes a great taco

Butterball fatfree turkey (6 slices for 1 pt, I think. That might have changed)

Green Giant frozen veggies - These are the easiest to microwave

Baked Doritos - (can't remember points) - For emergencies only

FF ranch dip (0 pts per tsp) - mixed with FF sour cream

And I'll second the Campbells soup in hand, FF pudding and the kettle corn.

 

[KimRaye]

Thanks for all the helpful ideas. I've been eating those Campbell's Soup in Hand for a while and, I know the chicken ones are 1 point.

sorry to bump

 

[cinmell]

Excellent topic for a thread!

In addition to what has already been mentioned, I like to keep handy:

Snackwells mini chocolate chip cookies- 13 cookies=3pts

Carmel flavored rice cake-regular size 1 point or 7 minis=1

FF Jello pudding -2 pts per container

carrots, cucumbers, celery

 

[arizonacolbys]

Just wanted to thank everyone for all the great ideas! This is only my 2nd week on WW, so you've all given me some great ideas. My favorite evening snack are sugar free popsicles - I believe they are only 10-15 calories each. I'll be looking into the kettle korn for sure!

 

[KathyTX]

Any more ideas?

 

[r3ngels]

here's another snack idea a fellow WW friend gave me...
The snicker flavored Kudas are 2pts...very good. Also I take splenda and mix it with cinnimon (sp?) and sprinkle it over a cut apple for a healthy snack. I love these ideas, I have been on WW for a year but just joined WISH.

 

[KimRaye]

Bumping to re-read AND, give all the new WW WISHers a chance to read also.