If you’re anything like me, summertime vibes and promises of long days spent sprawled out at the beach or playing in the surf come with two emotions: excitement and a splash of dread. Swimsuits are notorious for not leaving anything to the imagination, and if you’re inspired to shed a few pounds or tone up to look simply smashing while you’re getting your dose of Vitamin Sea, I have some great news. These 13 recipes are all five Weight Watchers points or less and will help you look incredible when you hit the shores.
1. Veracruz-Style Fish
This one-point recipe is a delightful burst of bright taste that can help you whittle down your waistline. It’s packed with flavor, spice, and salt from an inspired combination of yellow and red bell peppers and briny green olives. Delicate hake filets act as the perfect base, and flavorful, summery vegetables like peppers and juicy tomatoes mingle with garlic, onion, olives, and a drizzle of olive oil to tie the whole thing together.
2. Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken
I pull out this recipe whenever I’m craving chicken tenders, but I don’t want to derail my diet with a takeout calorie bomb. Instead, this easy-to-make, three-point recipe comes together in a flash and gives me ultra-crisp chicken bites that I can snack on guilt-free. Inspired additions like whole wheat breadcrumbs give these bites a nice amount of fiber, which can help you feel full and satisfied for longer.
3. Tomato Soup
This one-point wonder is far tastier than anything you would find in a can, and it’s light years healthier, too. The fresh tomato base provides plenty of Vitamin C and Vitamin A, and you’ll enjoy a vine-ripe tomato taste without all the added sodium of the canned stuff. Plus, you can season it to taste with garlic, salt, pepper, and even a few dried herbs if you’re feeling like it.
4. Eggplant Parmesan
I’ll admit, I’m a sucker for a great plate of eggplant Parmesan, but it’s almost always packed with cheese and tons of fat. This four-point recipe gives me all of the comfort-food flavors I crave while still keeping me in line with my nutritional and calorie goals. The secret lies in the smart swaps, like cottage cheese and skim milk. There’s also a generous half cup of grated Parmesan cheese to give it that sharp zing and tie the whole thing together into one delicious bundle.
5. Tuna Noodle Casserole
Tuna noodle casserole is another one of my cherished childhood favorites, but the traditional preparation will cost you big time in terms of calories and fat. Fortunately, this version more than hits the spot, and you can enjoy it for just two lone Weight Watchers points. You’ll also get a bunch of fiber from whole wheat noodles, and that coveted creamy texture without the calorie hit, thanks to Greek yogurt.
6. Stove Top Stuffing Chicken Casserole
This four-point casserole is perfect for those evenings when you just need to tuck into a big bowl of nostalgic flavors and hearty pieces of chicken in a rich and creamy sauce. Plus, you probably have all of the ingredients that you need right in your kitchen. Chicken breast provides the meaty base of the dish, and Stove Top stuffing, fat-free sour cream, a splash of milk, and low-fat cream of chicken soup give it the velvety base. You can also amp up the nutritional content with extra veggies.
7. Turkey Shepard’s Pie
This turkey spin on a traditional shepherd’s pie shaves off a lot of calories and comes in at a humble four Weight Watchers points per serving. With layers of perfectly seasoned turkey meat, vegetables, and creamy mashed potatoes, it’s the ultimate dinner for those spring nights when the weather still has a note of crispness and chill in it. Plus, it freezes really well, so you can make it ahead and simply pop it into the oven for a homestyle and diet-friendly simple dinner.
8. Thai Noodles
For just five Weight Watchers points, you can enjoy a big bowl of seasoned noodles, vegetables, and chicken that tastes far better than anything you could order for takeout. It’s also five points spent wisely, as these noodles are packed with ingredients like cubed chicken breast and rice noodles that will fill you up for hours. I also love how versatile it is. You can use plenty of different leftover vegetables and extra chili flakes as you’d like to tailor your noodles to taste.
9. Chicken Chimichurri
This recipe punches well above its weight flavorwise, thanks to a multi-dimensional Chimichurri sauce with fresh herbs, fiery peppers, garlic, and a splash of vinegar. Despite the incredible depth of flavor, it comes together very quickly. You can use the Chimichurri base to experiment with other cuts of meat, not just chicken. I even like it on my eggs. It’s a recipe you’ll want to make again and again, and you’ll get all of this goodness for just two Weight Watchers points.
10. Simple Ceviche
Ceviche is an excellent way to get the beachy body of your dreams without having to settle for a bland dinner. This zero-point dish is also a celebration of summer, with succulent pieces of hake cured in vibrant lime, garlic, coriander, and oil dressing. Bright bell peppers and zesty red onion round off the dish perfectly. This ceviche makes a great light lunch, and I like to enjoy it with some whole wheat crackers.
11. Tuscan Chicken
This one-point Tuscan chicken recipe uses Greek yogurt as a smart substitute for heavy cream, cutting down on calories without sacrificing flavor. I also love how it uses some of spring and summer’s best vegetables, like spinach and delicious tomatoes. Good, fresh-grated Parmesan cheese goes a long way, and I find that I don’t need as much to really enjoy the flavor of this Italian classic.
12. Lentil Soup
Lentils are a great diet secret weapon because they’re packed with plenty of fiber and can keep you feeling full for hours. I love popping lentils into just about everything: salads, pasta sauces, and even meatloafs, but sometimes you crave a good old-fashioned bowl of lentil soup. This one-point recipe nails the authentic flavors with just a slight trade-off in terms of points. You can use any vegetables that you’d like as long as you add them to the standard trifecta of base vegetables: carrots, celery, and onion.
13. Goulash
I have a soft spot for goulash because we used to have it all the time as kids, but the standard recipe is a bit too calorie-heavy for my regular recipe rotation. Thankfully, I came across this two-point goulash that replaces potatoes with more nutrient-rich zucchini and keeps that smooth tomato, paprika and beefy base. The result is a hearty, stick-to-your-ribs stew that makes the ideal weeknight dinner. Plus, you can prepare a big pot of this dish in advance, as the flavors will only get bolder and more harmonious the longer they’re in the refrigerator.
You don’t have to sacrifice a thing or submit yourself to boring and bland recipes to get beach-ready in a flash. All of these recipes are smart alternatives to classic dishes and crave-able meals that have a heavy rotation in my recipe roster. I’m sure after you try them, you’ll want to make them again and again.
