Arguably Weight Watchers with their “points” system is the most prominent diet brand in the UK.
Earlier this year, Weight Watchers launched their new “ProPoints”, apparently more likely to eat foods that will keep you fuller for longer.
This isn’t the place for a full explanation of the two systems. However, as an example, bananas would previously have been considered to have a higher point value than low sugar manufactured dessert. Under ProPoints a certain level of fruit, including bananas would be “free” but the manufactured dessert would have a ProPoints value.
A new system has meant a confusing few months for Weight Watchers’ followers; plans and labels showing old values, difficulty converting one into the other,
Outmoding the old recipe books sold at meetings means new ProPoints titles being launched; I received a review copy of their new “Seriously Satisfying” featuring 130 new recipes.
With nearly 200 pages, 10 colourful chapters are packed with ProPoints valued dishes suitable for breakfasts, lunches, family dinners as well as sections featuring chocolate, desserts and baking.
On the whole, Seriously Satisfying is filled with realistic meal choices that are uncomplicated to make and suitable for people wishing to lose weight. It’s one of the better books I’ve seen from Weight Watchers with its finger on the pulse of food trends more than usual.
Savoury dishes that stood out were shredded pork with Mexican sauce, South African bobotie and Spanish pork pie.
Amongst the desserts I wowed at the marbled chocolate cheesecake and strawberry trifle loaf but found others such as ice cream balls spiked with cocktail sticks and sprinkled with silver baubles ridiculous.
My only real criticism as a whole would be that the book is too general however I accept it has been written to appeal to people who might not normally cook from scratch themselves. As such it is appealing to the eye and easy to follow.
Portions sometimes look mean in diet books but they appear realistic here. Pictures and graphics are styled prettily, I’m particularly envious of the stylist’s array of napkins!
Throughout the ingredients lists, filling and healthy foods are shown in green type, freezable and vegetarian recipes are also indicated. Timings are usefully broken down into preparation, cooking and cooling times. Recipes are indexed both alphabetically and by their ProPoints value.
Seriously Satisfying is published by Simon & Schuster in paperback and available from Weight Watchers’ meetings. You can also pick it up from Amazon. With thanks for the review copy.
I will be blogging a recipe from Seriously Satisfying in tomorrow’s post.
I’ve got tons of WW cookbooks (old-style points ones) that I’ve acquired over the years, and I’ve always thought they were pretty good. My favourite korma recipe comes from a WW book and I dish it up quite often to non-dieters 🙂
Really should go back and give pro points a go, I could do with losing a stone or three!
Ahem! Same here…
As someone who adores home cooking, baking and eating, I find the thought of weight-watching cookbooks a little bit sad. I overheard one woman at work the other day saying ‘I hadn’t reached my WW points quota for the day and apparently you can’t carry them over so I had 3 jaffa cakes to make it up…’ I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Surely better just to consume treats in moderation rather than classing every single thing you put in your mouth with points? Will be really interested to see what recipe you choose to blog!
Hmmm I can see where she’s coming from. It’s her need to discuss it with other people I don’t understand! Who cares if she ate 3 jaffa cakes?!
Friends of mine way back in the day at University would cook lots from Weight Watchers cookbooks- they also looked tasty, reasonably simple and straightforward to make and if course healthy. I guess, much as I’d love it, eating only cakes three times a day isn’t terribly good for me!!
The ideas in WW books are always pretty sensible so I was glad to see this one was a bit more exciting!
As someone who is currently following WW, I think it’s the most sensible diet around! This book is great – it has a wide variety of really appealing looking foods and desserts but I have to admit the only thing I’ve made from it so far are the chocolate chip muffins. This is because I tend to cook mostly from the recipes I find online and in their magazine. Nonetheless, there are several recipes in here I have bookmarked to try!
It is the most sensible… I only wish I could stick to it!!
I’ve toyed with the idea of doing WW. I’ll have to check out their new cookbook.
Ha, well I skirt around doing WW but fall of the wagon far too quickly! There are some good family meal ideas in here though.
WW is my current healthy eating plan. Loving the new points system casue I can eat as much fruit as I like which is great but meals can be tough for the other half. May need to pick up a copy of this book me thinks.