The 2024 Paris Olympics are in full swing, and I couldn’t be more excited. Not only are track and field and volleyball my absolute two favorite Olympic sports, I get to enjoy them with a tasty spread of Parisian-inspired recipes that are totally Weight Watcher’s friendly. Whether you’re chilling on your couch to catch the games, having a party, or giving the games a miss but still want to dig into some delicious French cuisine, these dishes are for you.
1. Weight Watchers Friendly French Onion Soup
At six points per serving, this soup is diet-friendly and French bistro-approved, with a flavorful beef broth teeming with delicately caramelized onions and topped with bread and cheese. The trick is to cook the onions low and slow, so they take on that rich sweet taste. Patience is vital in this gold medal winner of a dish, and the results are totally worth it; plus, you’ll get the ideal ratio of beef broth, caramelized onions, cheese, and broth-soaked bread in every bite.
2. Monte Cristo Sandwich
I love this seven-point sandwich, packed with thinly sliced deli ham and gently pan-fried to perfection in a mixture of egg and milk. Shredded asiago cheese is one of the keys to this sandwich’s stunning success because even a tiny bit has a ton of flavor, and the Ranch dressing lends the dish a fresh zing. It’s absolutely scrumptious, and it comes together quickly enough for you to get right back to the games in a flash.
3. Spinach, Mushroom & Asiago Quiche
Quiche is one of those legendary quintessential French foods, and this waistline-friendly spin is an excellent riff on the classic, with only six points per serving. Plus, you’ll get an extra hit of nutrients from the mushrooms and spinach. Using pre-made pie crust dough is an excellent shortcut, and loading it up with light cottage cheese is a clever play when you want all of the creamy decadence of a quiche without the added fat.
4. Philly Croissant Loaf
This dish is the ultimate snack and a nod to France’s favorite breakfast pastry, with a flaky crescent roll crust cradling flavorful shredded chicken, green pepper, red onion, and velvety provolone cheese. I use zero point Ranch dressing, bringing the point total to five per serving, but you can use store-bought Ranch dressing, and it will still clock in at a reasonable seven points. The combination is spot on, evoking both the flavors of a Philly cheese sub and the streets of Paris, and it’s a true crowd-pleaser if you’re having people over to watch the games.
6. Crescent Roll Lemon Squares
Flaky and fresh French lemon tart is one of the staple foods of every corner Parisian bakery, but you can make the lighter version for your personal diet win with these lemon squares. The base is a bed of flaky Pillsbury crescent rolls topped with a dense and citrusy filling that’s both seasonal and Paris-approved. Best of all, these summery gems are only three Weight Watchers points per serving.
7. Beef Barley Soup
From Beef Bourguignon to Pot-au-feu, the French absolutely adore their soups. While I’m sure those versions are great, this beef barley soup is the undisputed champion in my book. It’s loaded with tender cubes of beef and root vegetables swimming in a deep tomato and beef broth that’s flavored with fresh garlic and studded with pearl barley. Every bite is complex and full of good-for-you nutrients, plenty of fiber, and a beefy taste for four points a serving.
8. Sauteed Apples
I love this two-point homage to French apple tart because it takes all of the high flavor notes of the dish and combines them into a scrumptious fruit-based dessert that features perfectly sauteed apple wedges, cinnamon, and a touch of sweetener and butter. This dish is super simple to make, but the flavors are layered and complex, and the texture of the softly cooked apple and satiny sauce makes for a superb Olympics snack.
9. Cauliflower, Potato, and Leek Soup
Leeks are a prominent vegetable in French cooking, and this three-point version is an awesome celebration of the humble but delicious veggie. Add in some cauliflower and a few potatoes, and you will have a creamy, hearty soup thickened up with Greek yogurt for added zest and texture without all of the calories of the traditional version. Since it all comes together in your crockpot, you can set it and forget it until it’s time to blend the whole glorious concoction with your immersion blender and sit down for a feast.
10. Omelet Onion Rings
The best thing about these omelet onion rings is that the portion size is impossible to mess up. Two rings set you back one point, so feel free to indulge in this tasty twist on a classic French dish. Each ring is filled with an egg, milk, and vegetable mixture topped with cheese and a bit of bacon for a satisfying crunch. Salt and pepper to your liking, and enjoy these petite omelets in just 20 minutes from start to finish.
11. Baked Bruschetta Chicken
The French have their Basque Chicken, but we can create something just as mouthwatering with this baked chicken dish topped with fresh chunks of Roma tomato and mozzarella. At just three points a serving, it’s an ideal summertime dinner, thanks to the inclusion of seasonal tomatoes, fresh basil, and a garlic and balsamic vinegar marinade. It’s one of my favorite low-point main dishes anytime, but it’s especially appropriate for the Paris Olympic Games.
12. Chicken Bacon Ranch Scallop Potatoes
I love this next-level scallop potato dish that’s an amplified version of French Tartiflette with all of the original ingredients plus chicken and Ranch dressing. At seven Weight Watcher’s points, it’s a reasonable, totally worth-it splurge, especially when you consider the velvety, cheesy masterpiece you wind up with. This dish is truly one of my top guiltless faves, and I love it as a side dish or an indulgent, nostalgic main meal that only tastes like it will derail my diet plans.
13. Vegan Creme Brulee
The iconic French dessert creme brulee gets a skinny, dairy-free makeover in this vegan version. It combines all of the custardy richness of the original with a tropical and tasty coconut base scented with vanilla and sugar. It’s out of this world good, and you only need 20 minutes of hands-on time and four hours of chilling to fully enjoy this eight-point decadent treat.
14. Hot Cheesy Spinach Dip
This four-point dip is one of my top faves when I’m craving something quick, easy, and super cheesy. It’s better than restaurant-style or takeout dips, and you’ll save yourself plenty of calories, too. Set aside just 30 minutes before settling in to watch the games, and you can have yourself a silky cream cheese and ricotta-based dip that’s full of good-for-you spinach, zesty garlic, and parmesan cheese. It’s a noble nod to French fondue and a dish that you’ll want to make again and again.
You don’t have to jet-set off to Paris to enjoy peak French-inspired dishes. Watch the Olympics in style with these thirteen diet-friendly, delicious dishes that take their cues from one of the most famous cuisines in the world.
Thank you for these yumminess you are the best and I appreciated
Thank you for reading Theresa!