Side dishes:
Roasted sweet potato rounds - Another good way to use sweet potatoes! My 3-year-old grandson helped me make these and he loved them. There were a few left over after lunch and he kept going back and eating them cold until they were gone. Thinly slice into rounds, coat lightly with coconut or olive oil (easiest way is to put them in a baggie and shake well), spread in a single layer on a cookie sheet and roast for about 15 minutes. A light sprinkling of cinnamon would be good also (I did that in the picture above). Slice extra thin and roast until crisp for sweet potato chips.
Zucchini Tater Tots - This is a good substitute for tater tots that will please the little ones. They combine potato and shredded zucchini, and are baked instead of fried.
Faux Loaded Potato Skins - Not potatoes at all, but cauliflower. The same general principle as the cauliflower pizza crust, but baked in muffin cups and topped with cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions and diced tomatoes.
Zucchini "Pasta" with fresh tomato sauce - This is easiest to make if you have a Spiralizer or a Veggitti. I first tasted this at a demonstration at a Williams and Sonoma store, and I have been hooked ever since. After making the "noodles", make a sauce of fresh diced tomatoes, basil. garlic and olive oil and pour over noodles.
Fried Cabbage - Shred cabbage like you would for cole slaw, and fry in a little bit of olive oil, covering the pan until it has wilted down and is close to tender. Sprinkle with salt and pepper (lemon pepper is particularly good). Watch it closely after it wilts down and turn often until it starts to brown (it burns easily).
Garlic Parmesan Oven Fries - This looks like a delicious take on plain oven French fries. Not too high in WW points if you watch the size of your serving, and a great way to round a meal out for your family.
Sweets:
When you are being careful with what you eat, it is easy to feel deprived and the longer you deprive yourself, the more likely you are to give up and go back to old eating habits. It is important to treat yourself occasionally. I like a quote that Desiree shared, "It is a holiDAY, not a holiWEEK or a holiMONTH." Carol, another friend of mine, sometimes buys a large blueberry muffin and cuts it in quarters, puts them in the freezer and treats herself to one on Friday of each week. You could do this with whatever sweet treat you are craving, or look below for several more suggestions.
Frozen Fruit Bars - There are a variety of frozen fruit (and sometimes added veggies) bars, both with sugar and sugar-free, available at the grocery store. Watch the ingredients for excessive sugar and artificial ingredients.
Kayte's Special - Only 4 points for a big bowl (not the whole recipe)! Mix 24 oz fat free cottage cheese, 1/2 container lite cool whip, one 20 oz can crushed pineapple, 1 pack sugar free Jello (she did strawberry). (If you don't like the texture of the cottage cheese, blend it until it is creamy before mixing.)
Desiree's Special - Mix together non-fat Greek yogurt and sugar free instant Jello pudding mix. This is low calorie and high protein, so you get the benefit of both.
Mary's Special - I conquer my chocolate cravings with Ghiradelli's dark chocolate chips (the ones you would use for cookies). Sixteen chips are 4 points (yes, I carefully count them out). Take your time and savor each one.
Here is a link to an earlier post with more ideas to get more veggies into your family's diet:
Veggie Side Dishes
If you have any other suggestions, please share in the comments.
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