At the beginning of this year, I got a bunch of questions from friends and family about what to make for dinner as people were transitioning to joining WW (PS, anyone want a to join & get a free month? Click this link!). I got the idea to post my meal plan for them. This then spiraled into me thinking of those inquiring minds who weren’t necessarily asking for it but found themselves curious or wanting inspiration. I also noticed that in my close circle of friends, we ask “what’s for dinner?” to each other almost daily, so I just know other people have to be asking that question, too.
Since I do take the time to meal plan, it makes so much sense to share it because I get inspiration from other people all the time since I constantly feel like I get stuck in food-ruts. I wanted to share because sharing is caring.
So, although WW’s official stance is that pregnant women are prohibited from participating in the program, and there is no program designed for pregnant women, WW is actually a diet/lifestyle that is entirely sustainable while pregnant. After several conversations with my doctor specifically surrounding my body, my baby, and my health & history, my doctor was entirely supportive of me continuing with WW, while being mindful of the cues that come from my body.
I had previously included the following “disclaimer” on my food-related Instagram posts because I wanted to make it clear that my posts and content is not specifically endorsed or sponsored by WW and that my approach to this pregnancy should not necessarily be taken as gospel or as an example for all women. All bodies are different and everyone has their own specific needs.
✨WW does not have a program available for pregnancy, so I am not following the #myww program, but points are listed/included for those that are following the program! I was previously following the MyWW Blue 💙 program, so those are the #smartpoints values listed.✨
So, what has this looked like for me? I increased my daily points “allowance” from 23 to 30 gradually over the course of my pregnancy thus far. 30 was entirely arbitrary for me; I just kept increasing until I felt like I was eating enough throughout the day. This has also helped me have a healthy, steady weight gain during this pregnancy. That being said, I still go over my points all the time & dip into my weeklies (and still go negative – a lot 😂). But, in general, 30 feels like that healthy medium to account for the slight increase in calories suggested for pregnancy and still gives me the freedom to be responsible and mindful about what gets put in my body while not going completely off the rails.
This Week’s Recipe Bank:
- Teriyaki Salmon, Mashed Potatoes & Grilled Broccoli
- I am obsessed with the Soy Ginger Atlantic Salmon from Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant. It comes with wasabi mashed potatoes and an asian slaw that I sub out for their grilled broccoli. It’s still a thing for me lately and I just can’t get enough of it, so I’m going to try to recreate something similar enough at home to scratch the itch
- I use G Hughes Sugar Free Teriyaki Sauce/Marinade (0sp) on the salmon (0sp), I’ll make my regular garlic mashed potatoes (4sp) & we will grill our broccoli and zhuzh it up with some spray butter, lemon juice and some S&P.
- Roasted Pork Tenderloin, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Steamed Broccoli
- This one isn’t even really a recipe, other than my regular garlic mashed potatoes (4sp). I roast a pork tenderloin with some basic seasonings in the oven and serve it with the easiest sides. Mashed potatoes, Heinz Savory Beef Gravy (1sp for 1/4 cup) and steamed broccoli. It’s just a classic, and it comes together so easily!
- This is one of those ultimate comfort food meals and reminds me of being home at my mom’s house, like it’s just a warm hug of a meal.
- Honey Tarragon Chicken, White Rice, & Green Beans
- This one is probably my husband’s favorite meal that I make. It’s also crazy high in points. 😬 It’s one that I used to make all the time before I started WW and one that I’ve tried time and time again to make more WW-Friendly and just can’t seem to execute. So it’s just one thing that I save for a weekend or a splurge because it’s not as good if I try to lower the points. Fair warning: it’s 22sp on blue, and that doesn’t include the sides. 😬 Heavy cream, man, it’ll get you.
- I serve this with white rice (6sp for 1 cup) and a green vegetable.
- We’ll do this during the weekend, most likely, because that’s when I like to dip into my weekly points.
- Takeout
- FFY (Fend For Yourself)
- Leftovers
Drop a comment down below and let me know what you thought about this!! If you liked it, please share it with your friends & tag me @glimpseatgrace on social media!
