When it comes to fueling her busy day, the world’s most influential and famous woman opts for a combination of nutrient-filled, yummy lunches that won’t stack on the pounds. Oprah’s mid-day meal plan hits on smart culinary choices, like protein-packed shrimp, savory soups, and inventive salads you’ll never get bored with. Plus, if you follow her lead, you can save plenty of Weight Watchers points to treat yourself later in the day.
1. Italian Wedding Soup
Call me a sucker for the classics, but Italian Wedding Soup is one of my all-time favorites. This MVP of lunchtime treats is studded with tasty meatballs, hearty pasta, and chunks of good-for-you veggies. Clocking in at just three points, it’s also an intelligent way to stick to your diet and enjoy some fabulous comfort food. Oprah loves a good soup, and once you make this one, it’s bound to stick in your regular rotation. The secret is using turkey sausage and air frying the meatballs to make them crispy and decadent without piling on extra fat.
2. Spinach and Cheese Puff Pastry Hand Pies
These portable pies are better than anything you’ll find on a take-out menu and will only set you back four points. They’re the ultimate lunch on the go, packed with nutrient-rich spinach, creamy cheese, and a touch of red pepper flakes and citrus to keep things interesting. Plus, they’re easy to prepare if you have a little puff pastry on hand. I like to make a batch on the weekends and warm them before eating. You’ll love these guilt-free treats if you’re a carb queen like me.
3. Healthy Shrimp Pasta
This dish combines two of Oprah’s ultimate lunchtime loves: pasta and shrimp. It’s a robust and flavor-driven combination that’s just three points per serving, and you can toss it all together in less than 30 minutes. Plus, it packs and reheats well, so whether you’re a remote or office worker, there’s no reason not to have a delicious, hot, homemade meal. The bow-tie pasta and shrimp provide a hearty foundation, and cherry tomatoes, garlic, and a touch of lemon add the right amount of brightness and a touch of textural interest to the dish.
4. Buddha Bowl With Okra and Purple Cabbage
These two point Buddha Bowls are my go-to when I want to detox or simply pump some major nutrients into my diet in a scrumptious way. You’ll get a whole symphony of textures thanks to a combination of cooked and raw vegetables, all crowned with a luxe avocado dressing that gives this bowl a dose of healthy fats and a massive punch of flavor. One of this dish’s best aspects is letting your imagination run wild, adding in any veg you have in the fridge. It’s a great way to use leftover ingredients and will certainly supercharge your energy levels until dinner.
5. Broccoli Salad
This salad is a fabulous summertime treat, but you don’t have to wait for the mercury to spike to indulge. It gives boring salads a serious run for their money with a generous helping of Greek yogurt, a touch of mayo, and plenty of zingy red onion, broccoli, cheese, and tart cranberries. You can even treat yourself to some bacon and still stick to your diet because this rich salad only tastes calorie-heavy. It really has just five Weight Watchers points.
6. Venezuelan Corn Pancakes
I love a good sandwich, but sometimes you want something a bit different. When the carb craving hits, but I’m bored with my regular sammies, I make a batch of Venezuelan Corn Pancakes or Cachapas. At four points per serving, they’re a smart and inspired choice that will get your tastebuds revved up. These savory corn pancakes go great alongside some chopped-up seasonal fruit, and since Oprah loves a good, inventive sandwich, this lunch would certainly be on her must-try list.
7. Tuna Casserole
While there’s certainly space in the world, and in my diet, for leafy salads and veggie-packed soups, sometimes you want a lunch that epitomizes comfort-food nostalgia. That’s where this casserole comes in. It’s a healthier riff on a childhood fave that uses Greek yogurt instead of cream, so you’ll get all of the authentic texture without the unwanted calories. This casserole is a winner with protein-filled tuna, plenty of vegetables, noodles, and trademark rich sauce. Plus, you can enjoy it for just two points per serving.
8. Cheeseburger Soup
This recipe makes six servings, and if you portion it out properly, you’ll enjoy Cheeseburger Soup for 2 Weight Watchers points. I like to make a batch on the weekends and eat lunch for the whole week, with a bonus portion on Saturday. It’s a glorious riff on your favorite flavors with a deep, silky, cheesy base and plenty of protein.
9. Spinach Cucumber Chicken & Ranch Wraps
These three freestyle point wraps are full of succulent chicken, zingy ranch dressing, and a touch of spinach for those essential nutrients. You’ll skip a lot of unnecessary carbs, thanks to the Flatout Bread base, and get some major textural interest with diced cucumber. These wraps are my go-to lunch for busy days on the go, and they always satisfy and keep me full for hours.
10. Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
One of Oprah’s top preferred proteins is shrimp, and these air fryer delights give you crispy, sweet, succulent coconut shrimp without any residual guilt. At three points a serving, it ticks off every box, and you can pair it with the vegetable of your choice for a rounded-out meal. I love a generous squeeze of lime on my coconut shrimp because it works so well with the tropical coconut flavors.
11. Turkey Sloppy Joe Pasta Bake
This pasta bake is packed with cheesy, meaty goodness and stealthy veggies for additional nutrients. Plus, it will set you back just three to six points per serving. Cheddar gives the dish a bit of depth and sharpness, and tender pasta makes it the kind of tasty stick-to-your-ribs food that will fuel you for the rest of your day. Plus, although it tastes decadent, it’s still well within your allocated points for the day.
12. Easy Greek Chicken Salad Bowls
Another salad winner that speaks to Oprah’s preferred lunchtime treats, these bowls clock in at six points apiece. It’s a tried-and-true combo of juicy chicken, chopped vegetables, and salty feta cheese. Avocado provides some healthy fats, and black olives tie it all together. Topped with a zingy, garlicky sauce, it’s a satisfying meal that’s a great alternative to store-bought Greek salads.
13. Buffalo Chicken Rolls
Sometimes, I need a little comfort food to really hit the spot on a hectic day, and these Buffalo Chicken Rolls are my ultimate go-to. They’re two points apiece, packed with fiery Buffalo sauce and full of tender pieces of chicken. You can even add a sprinkle of cheese and still stay well within your points allocation for the day. Treat yourself sensibly with these smart sammies.
These Oprah-inspired recipes are portable, easy to prepare, and will help you get through the mid-day hump. They’re some of my favorites, and I’m sure you’ll love them too.
