The Ultimate WW Freestyle Healthy Holiday Guide The Holy Mess

Let’s face it, sticking to your Weight Watchers program around the holidays can be tough! Use The Ultimate WW Freestyle Healthy Holiday Guide to give you absolutely everything you need to be successful this year. Make a plan to, at the very least maintain your weight, but even have to goal to lose weight during the month of December. (Yes, it’s really possible, I promise.)

Between parties, events, baking, family get-together, and stress, focus on healthy eating and exercise often falls to the bottom of your priorities. This year, be sure to focus on YOU and make your holiday healthier with these WW Freestyle tips, menus, recipes, and more.

Research tell us that the average American gains 1 pound per year between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. Don’t let this be you. Simply by being intentional about healthier choices, can avoid being one of these statistics.

Weight Watchers is a great program to follow during the holiday season because there are no forbidden foods. Eat what you like, while being mindful of portions, and you will continue to see weight loss throughout the season.

New – Free printable WW cheat sheets! Be sure to scroll to the bottom where we have a bundle of WW Freestyle Healthy Holiday cheat sheets waiting for you, free to download and use immediately to plan a healthier holiday this year.

Your Weight Watchers Freestyle Healthy Holiday Guide

This Ultimate WW Freestyle Healthy Holiday Guide includes the following:

WW Freestyle Healthy Holiday Recipes – A huge list of delicious holiday recipes that are all low in WW points.
WW Freestyle Sample Holiday Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Years Menus – with points! Here’s a sample guide for planning a menu that keeps you within your daily points allowance.
WW Freestyle Holiday Foods Cheat Sheet – Use this handy guide to learn the points in common holiday foods.
25 Tips & Strategies for Healthy Holiday Eating – These small, realistic changes make healthy eating possible even during the holiday season.
WW Freestyle/Weight Watchers Support – Community support during the holiday season and beyond.
FREE Cheat Sheets! – A FREE bundle of WW Freestyle Healthy Holiday cheat sheets, all with points included.

WW Freestyle Healthy Holiday Recipes

Making healthier holiday recipes truly makes a difference in how you’ll end the holiday season. High fat/high calories can quickly put you over the top with points for each day and your weekly allowance.

Did you know the typical piece of pecan pie is 21 points? Yikes, that’s almost a whole day’s worth of points just from one dessert! (I love pecan pie.)

Swap for our healthier WW version, linked below, that is just 5 points and you suddenly are within your daily points with room to spare.

Choose these WW Freestyle healthy holiday recipes to make a healthier version of many of your favorites.

Weight Watchers ‘Tis the Season Easy Holiday Recipes & Menus Weight Watchers Christmas Cookbook 2018: Ultimate Guide to Weight Loss, Health and Physical Fitness by Adopting a Plant Based Diet (X-Mass Edition)Weight Watchers Chocolate Supreme Mug Cake Weight Watchers Popped Crisps, BBQ, 5 bags per box

Weight Watchers Freestyle Holiday Appetizer Recipes

Weight Watchers Jalepeno Poppers – 1 point – These poppers are full of spicy goodness for just 1 point.

Weight Watchers Healthy Spinach Dip – 1 point – Spinach dip is a party classic and this one is light and healthy. Serve with carrots and celery for dipping.

Corn Bacon Dip – 3 point – Incredible hearty flavor for low points.

Weight Watchers Veggie Ranch Dip – 0 point – This delicious dip will cost you zero points.

Baba Ganoush Roasted Eggplant Dip – 1 point – This dip is packed with flavor for just 1 point.

Instant Pot Black Bean Dip – 0 point – This delicious dip is great with veggies or splurge and serve with just a few chips.

Sweat and Sour Meatballs – 2 point – Just 2 points for this hearty appetizer.

WW Freestyle Holiday Main Dish Recipes

WW Cranberry & Orange Glazed Ham – 5 points – A delicious ham recipe with citrus flavors.

Low Point Turkey with Gravy – 1 point – Homemade gravy with all the flavor and much less fat. (Tip: canned gravy is also low in points.)

Instant Pot Whole Lemon Chicken – 0-3 points per serving (0 points for breast and no skin, 3 pts for 3 oz dark meat) A delicious chicken with a bright lemon flavor. This recipe is great because it cooks in your Instant Pot, saving room in the oven for other foods.

Instant Pot Roast Chicken Breast with Vegetables – 7 points – Simple yet elegant enough for a holiday main dish.

WW Freestyle Holiday Side Dish Recipes

Low Calorie Stuffing Recipe – 2 points – Low calorie bread makes this stuffing a low point value side dish.

Skinny Garlic Mashed Potatoes – 3 points – All the flavor, half the points.

WW Green bean casserole – 3 points – A Weight Watchers twist on the classic favorite.

Cranberry sauce – Instant Pot – 0 points – This cranberry sauce is zero points and cooks in just 1 minute.

WW Mashed Sweet Potatoes – 3 points – Enjoy mashed sweet potatoes without loads of unhealthy extra butter and syrup.

Skinny Bacon Mac n Cheese – 9 points – This rich mac n cheese tastes amazing with bacon. It’s a bit higher in points so consider eating a half serving on the big holidays.

Spinach Salad with Pears, Almonds, and Cranberries – 6 points – A delicious, healthy salad to start your meal right.

Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts – 1 points – Cook these crispy sprouts in your Air Fryer to save room in the oven.

Mashed Turnip and Apple Casserole – 5 points – This side dish has all the ideal fall flavors for your holiday table.

Stuffed Acorn Squash – 8 points – Stuffed with wild rice, this is a hearty side your family will love.

Instant Pot Candied Sweet Potatoes – 4 points – Make sweet potatoes in your Instant Pot.

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WW Freestyle Holiday Dessert Recipes

WW Pumpkin Fluff – 3 points – This classic (oldie but goodie) WW recipe is delicious. My kids request this every year as one of their holiday favorites.

Weight Watchers Crustless Pumpkin Pie – 1 point per serving and it’s so good! I’ve made this a bunch of times and it’s one of the most popular recipes on our website.

Lemon Cheesecake Bites – Keto and WW Friendly – 4 points each – Creamy cheesecake bites that are sugar free.

WW Lime Dessert Parfaits– 2 points – This cool, creamy treat is easy to make.

WW Pecan Pie – 5 points – Cut down the typical 21 points for pecan pie to just 5 with this recipe.

Strawberry Mousse Cake – 3 points – Light sponge cake with whipped cream and strawberries.

WW Chocolate Espresso Mousse Shots – 2 points – I love shot glass desserts because you can try a small taste. These are just 2 points.

Mulled Cranberry Apple Cider – 4 points – If you want to enjoy a mulled beverage, this one is lower in points.

Mini Cheesecakes – 2 points – A few bites of heaven for just 2 points.

WW Dark Chocolate Cake – 10 points – This cake is more of a splurge but the dark chocolate goodness is worth it.

Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls – 1 points – Use 2 ingredient dough to make these delightful rolls. Perfect for Christmas morning while you open presents.

Pistachio & Pomegranate Yogurt Bark – 2 points – This frozen bark is beautiful and tasty.

Weight Watchers Carrot Cake – 11 points – It’s a splurge but totally worth it for this super-rich carrot cake.

Instant Pot Bread Pudding – 2 points – Use your Instant Pot to make this lighter bread pudding.

WW Freestyle Holiday Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Menus

Here are Holiday Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Menus to keep you on track with your Weight Watchers points for each day. Keep in mind these are a general guide. Track what you actually eat and make any necessary adjustments.

Be sure to eat a low point, high protein breakfast and have a zero point snack (such as fruit or WW bean soup) before the big meal. See below for additional tips for managing your eating on the big day.

Be sure to download our WW Freestyle Healthy Holiday cheat sheet pack (below), which has printable copies of all these menus.

WW Freestyle Thanksgiving Menu

Turkey breast, no skin – 0 points

WW Low Point Turkey gravy – 1 point

WW Green bean casserole – 3 points

Low Point Stuffing – 2 points

Cranberry sauce – 0 points

Corn – 0 points

Dinner roll made with 2 Ingredient dough – 3 points

Skinny Garlic Mashed Potatoes OR WW Mashed Sweet Potatoes – 3 points

WW Crustless Pumpkin Pie – 1 point for 1/4 of pie

Wine – 5 ounces – 4 points

Total: 17 SmartPoints

WW Freestyle Christmas Menu

Ham, cooked, lean – 2 points per serving

Loaded Mashed Potatoes – 3 points

Skinny Bacon Macaroni and Cheese – 4 points (eat half serving)

Roasted Butternut Squash – 0 points

Vegetable Medley – 0 points

Roasted Brussels Sprouts – 0 points

Mulled Cranberry Apple Cider – 4 points

WW Pumpkin Fluff – 3 points

Total: 16 SmartPoints

WW Freestyle New Year’s Menu

Shrimp – 0

Crab Legs – 0 points

Cocktail sauce – 2 points for 2 T

Black eyed peas – 0 points

Weight Watchers Jalepeno Poppers – 3 points (3 poppers)

Weight Watchers Veggie Ranch Dip with vegetables – 0 points

Weight Watchers Mini Pizza with 2 Ingredient Dough, Light Mozarella cheese, and Turkey Pepperoni- 6 points

WW Lime Dessert Parfaits– 2 points

Champagne – 5 ounces – 4 points

Total: 17 SmartPoints

25 Tips & Strategies for Healthy Holiday Eating

Holidays don’t have to be about overindulging. Use these tips to stay on track.

Eat something healthy before you go to a family event, like a Weight Watchers zero point banana souffle or a hearty bowl of zero point bean soup.
Drink a glass of water before you leave, and one every hour of the party.
Stand or sit as far away from the snacks or buffet table as possible.
Load up on zero point vegetables.
At special events, focus on the relationships. Talk to people.
When you sit down to eat, load up on vegetables first, then fruit, then protein, then carbs and treats.
Make a plan. As much as possible, plan for what you will eat at parties, events, and big holiday meals.
Use a smaller plate.
Ask to have food wrapped to go if you are getting full.
As you start to get full, ask yourself, “Am I still enjoying this?”
Alternative between glasses of water and alcohol.
Say “no thanks” to taking home left-overs.
Only splurge on the foods you really love.
Eat mindfully. Take a deep breath before you eat. Savor each bite.
Keep your hands busy with a drink. Suggest playing a game instead of snacks as the center of attention.
Go for a walk.
Bring a dish that is Weight-Watchers friendly.
Does holiday baking do you in? Bake less. Keep baked goods in the freezer or out of sight.
Add 100 extra steps to every day during the holiday season.
Eat slowly. Put your fork down between bites.
Write down what you eat, even if it means you go over your points.
Let go of guilt! If you overindulge, guilt serves no purpose.
Get more sleep. It’s harder to make good choices when you are tired.
Only eat while sitting down.
Reserve holiday splurges to a few special occasions. The rest of the time, stick to your routine.

Want more healthy eating strategies? Check out these 43 tips from Weight Watchers members for healthy holidays and every day.

Also check out these One Small Change weight loss cards for small, realistic changes that have a big impact.

WW Freestyle Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Years Holiday Foods with Points Cheat Sheet

Here is a cheat sheet of common Weight Watchers foods. Keep in mind that using the actual nutritional data from packages is more accurate. This is to give you a general guide and points were accurate as of 10/2019.

Be sure to download our WW Freestyle Healthy Holiday cheat sheet pack (scroll down), which has a handy printable copy of this list.

Main Dish

Turkey breast, no skin – 0 points

Turkey, dark meat – 3 oz no skin – 2 points

Turkey, dark meat – 3 oz with skin – 4 points

Turkey gravy, canned – 1 point

Ham, lean – 3 oz – 2 points

Ham, spiral -3 oz – 3 points

Beef brisket – 3 oz – 4 points

Sides

Corn – 0 points

Raw, roasted or cooked vegetables (except potatoes) – 0 points

Green bean casserole – 1 serving – 7 points

Cranberry sauce, canned – 1/4 cup – 6 points

Cheese, 1 oz – 4 points

Mashed potatoes with cream and butter – 1 cup – 5 points

Stuffing, 1/2 cup from mix, prepared – 3 points

Stuffing, sausage – 1/2 cup – 6 points

Dinner roll – 5 points

Biscuit – 4 points

Corn bread – 1 slice or muffin – 6 points

Corn casserole – 1 serving – 12 points

Macaroni and cheese – 1 serving – 14 points

Pickles, sweet – 1 pickle – 1 point

Pickles, dill – 0 points

Challah – 1 slice – 3 points

Potato Latkes – 1 serving – 8 points

Fats

Butter – 1 T – 5 points

Oil – 1 t – 1 point

Mixed nuts, 1/4 cup – 6 points

Olives – 6 large – 1 point

Beverages

Beer – 12 ounce – 5 points

Wine – 5 ounce – 4 points

Sparkling juice – 8 ounce – 6 points

Punch – 1 serving – 5 points

Soda pop – 12 ounce – 9 points

Desserts

Apple pie – 1 slice, 1/8th of pie – 16 points

Pecan pie – 1 slice – 21 points

Chocolate cake – 1 slice – 25 points

Christmas cookies – 1 cookie – 3 points

Cheesecake – 1 piece – 18 points

Pumpkin bread – 1 slice – 8 points

Whipped cream, fresh – 1 T – 1 point

Cool whip – 2T – 1 point

Vanilla ice cream – 1/2 cup – 7 points

WW Freestyle/Weight Watchers Support for Healthy Holidays

While it’s always important to surround yourself with a supportive community for your weight loss journey, never is it more true than during the tempting holiday season.

Between co-workers bringing in continual treats, holiday events, or the stress of family gatherings, you need people you can turn to for ongoing support to will applaud your healthy lifestyle.

Try one of these places to find your “tribe” of WW peeps who give you ongoing support and accountability:

Christian Weight Loss for Women with Faithful Finish Lines – Free Facebook group for Christian women with a weight loss goal.

Weight Watchers/WW Freestyle/SmartPoints Success – Free for anyone doing Weight Watchers/WW meetings, online, or at home.

Faithful Finish Lines business page – Like for a new Weight Loss FAQ video every Friday.

Follow me on WW Connect @saraborgstede

Ready to join WW Freestyle/Weight Watchers online or at meetings? Click here to get one month free.

Faithful Finish Lines – Online weight loss programs for women.

BONUS! Free Printable WW Freestyle Healthy Holiday Cheat Sheet Bundle

Get your WW Freestyle Healthy Holiday Cheat Sheet Bundle right here!

Print these cheat sheets and you are all set to have the most healthy holiday season yet, all while staying within your points target and meeting your weight loss goals.

Tip: Be sure to bookmark this page so you can come back for all the recipe links to go with these menus.

This WW Freestyle Healthy Holiday Cheat Sheet Bundle includes:

WW Freestyle Thanksgiving Menu
WW Freestyle Christmas Menu
WW Freestyle New Year’s Menu
WW Freestyle Holiday Foods List

~~$2.99~~

$0.00

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The Ultimate WW Freestyle Healthy Holiday Guide