The Ultimate Weight Watchers Healthy Holiday Guide (with FREE PDF Printable) The Holy Mess

Let’s face it, sticking to your Weight Watchers program around the holidays can be tough. Use this ultimate WW Healthy Holiday Guide to give you absolutely everything you need to be successful this year.

Make a plan to maintain your weight during the month of December, or even lose a pound or two. (Yes, it’s really possible, I promise.) We walk you step-by-step through how to do it.

The MyWW Holiday Guide with Menus and Holiday Food Lists

Included in this guide are points for your family Christmas. Thanksgiving, and New Year’s foods, Weight Watchers holiday menus, and much more. Let’s get started.

Post updated November 2023 for WW Points.

How to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain

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 tips, menus, recipes, and more.

Research tells 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.

Free printable WW Holiday Cheat Sheets – Instant Download PDF

Get your Weight Watchers Healthy Holiday Cheat Sheets now and make sure you don’t gain weight this holiday season.

MyWW Christmas and Thanksgiving Menu Printables — Download your MyWW holiday menu printable PDFs here.

This WW Healthy Holiday Guide includes:

WW Thanksgiving Menu – Here’s a delicious Thanksgiving menu that has favorites for your family gathering with lower points. We link to all the recipes.
WW Christmas Menu – Enjoy this delicious Christmas dinner with WW recipes. Your family will never know they are eating WW-friendly main dishes, sides, and desserts.
WW New Year’s Menu – Bring in the New Year right with these appetizers and fun party foods.
WW Holiday Foods List – A huge list of the points values on your favorite holiday foods.

~~$2.99~~

$0.00

Weight Watchers Healthy Holiday Recipes with Low Points

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 23 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 sweet potato mini-pie recipe, linked below, that is just 5 or 6 points and you suddenly are within your daily points with room to spare.

Choose these WW healthy Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s recipes to make a healthier version of many of your favorites. Keep scrolling because this Ultimate Guide has tons of help for your holiday season.

Weight Watchers Holiday Appetizer Recipes

All of these appetizers are low in points and high in satisfaction.

Weight Watchers Jalapeno Poppers – These poppers are full of spicy goodness for just 2 points for 2 poppers – 1 point on MyWW Green, Blue, and Purple.

Weight Watchers Veggie Ranch Dip – This delicious dip will cost you zero points on the 2023 WW plan. Other plans: MyWW Green – 1 point, MyWW Blue – 0 points, MyWW Purple – 0 points – on Blue and Green and just 1 point on MyWW Purple.

Air Fryer Bacon Burger Bites – 2 Burger Bites are just 2 WW points on the 2023 WW program. Other plans: 4 points on MyWW Green, Blue, and Purple. Can be baked in the oven if you don’t have any air fryer.

Everything Parmesan Crisps – This recipe makes 4 servings – each crisp is 2 points on all WW plans. These little crisps are great for WW and are also low carb in case any of your guests are following Keto.

Weight Watchers Thanksgiving & Christmas Main Dish Recipes

WW Cranberry & Orange Glazed Ham – This recipe makes 8 servings. Each serving is 6 WW Points on the 2023 plan. Other plans: 5 points on MyWW Green, Blue, and Purple – A delicious ham recipe with citrus flavors.

Instant Pot Whole Lemon Chicken – There are 8 servings in this recipe and each serving is 4 WW points for the 2023 program. (0-4 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.

Herb and Salt Brined Turkey – This serves 18 and each serving is Zero Points for the 2023 WW program. Other plans: 2 points MyWW Green, 0 points MyWW Blue, 0 points MyWW Purple for turkey breast, no skin – A fabulous and moist turkey you can enjoy guilt-free.

W W Holiday Side Dish Recipes

Skinny Garlic Mashed Potatoes – This recipe makes 5 servings and each serving is 4 WW points for all WW plans. All the flavor, half the points.

WW Green bean casserole – 4 points on all current and former plans. A Weight Watchers twist on the classic favorite.

Cranberry sauce – Instant Pot – This serves 8 and on the WW 2023 plan is 4 points per serving. Other plans: 3 points on MyWW Green, Blue, and Purple – This cranberry sauce is low in points and cooks in just 1 minute.

WW Mashed Sweet Potatoes – There are 8 servings in this recipe and each serving is only 2 WW points for the 2023 WW plan. Other plans: MyWW Green – 3 points, MyWW Blue – 3 points, MyWW Purple – 1 point – Enjoy mashed sweet potatoes without loads of unhealthy extra butter and syrup.

Spinach Salad with Pears, Almonds, and Cranberries – 6 points on all current and former WW plans – MyWW Green, Blue, and Purple – A delicious, healthy salad to start your meal right.

WW Holiday Dessert Recipes

WW Pumpkin Fluff – This serves 8 and is 4 WW points per serving. 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 – This incredible dessert serves four and is only 1 WW point per serving plus it’s so good! I’ve made this a bunch of times and it’s one of the most popular recipes on The Holy Mess website.

WW Lime Dessert Parfaits– This makes 8 servings and is 4 WW points per serving. This cool, creamy treat is easy to make.

WW Chocolate Espresso Mousse Shots – Each serving is 3 Points on the 2023 WW plan. Other plans: 2 points on MyWW Green, Blue, and Purple – I love shot glass desserts because you can try a small taste.

Mulled Cranberry Apple Cider – Just 4 points on all current and former WW plans. If you want to enjoy a mulled beverage, this one is lower in points.

WW Dark Chocolate Cake – This cake is 11 WW points on the 2023 WW plan. Other plans: 10 points on MyWW Green, Blue, and Purple – This cake is more of a splurge but the dark chocolate goodness is worth it. (By the way, you won’t believe the secret ingredient in this cake! I was shocked.)

Sweet Potato Meringue Mini-Pies – This recipe makes 12 mini pies. Each pie is 7 WW points for the 2023 plan. Other plans: MyWW Green – 6, My WW Blue – 6, MyWW Purple – 5, A delicious healthier recipe from Skinny Taste.

Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year menus

Here are 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 Healthy Holiday printables pack (below), which has printable copies of all these menus.

Weight Watchers Thanksgiving Menu

Get a complete guide to a MyWW Thanksgiving here.

Turkey breast, no skin, 3 ounces – 2023 WW plan – 0 points. Other plans: MyWW Green – 1 point, MyWW Blue – 0 points, MyWW Purple – 0 points

WW Low Point Turkey gravy – 2 WW points on the 2023 WW plan. Other plans: MyWW Green – 3 points, MyWW Blue – 2 points, MyWW Purple – 2 points

WW Green bean casserole – 4 points on all current and former WW plans.

Cranberry sauce – 4 points on all current and former WW plans

Corn – One serving (1/2 cup) is 0 WW points on the 2023 WW program. Other plans: MyWW Green – 2 points, MyWW Blue – 0 points, MyWW Purple – 0 points

Dinner roll made with 2 2-ingredient dough – 2 points on all current and former WW plans.

WW Mashed Sweet Potatoes – Only 2 WW points for the 2023 WW plan. Other plans: MyWW Green – 3 points, MyWW Blue – 3 points, MyWW Purple – 1 point

WW Crustless Pumpkin Pie – 1 point on all plans for 1/4 of the entire pie!

Wine – 5 ounces – 4 points

Total: 19 WW points on the 2023 WW plan – Other plans: MyWW Green – 20 points, MyWW Blue – 16 points, MyWW Purple – 14 points

WW Christmas Menu

Ham, cooked, lean – 2 points per serving on all MyWW plans

Garlic Mashed Potatoes – 4 Points on the 2023 WW plan. Other plans: MyWW Green – 8 points, MyWW Blue – 8 points, MyWW Purple – 0 points

WW Macaroni and Cheese – 4 points on all plans for 1/2 serving

Roasted Butternut Squash – 0 points on all plans

Vegetable Medley – 0 points on all plans

Roasted Brussels Sprouts – 0 points on all plans

Mulled Cranberry Apple Cider – 4 points on all current and former MyWW plans

WW Pumpkin Fluff – 4 points on all current and former MyWW plans

Total: 18 WW Points on the 2023 WW Plan. Other plans: MyWW Green – 22 points, MyWW Blue – 22 points, MyWW Purple – 14 points

Weight Watchers New Year’s Menu

Shrimp, 3 ounces – 0 points on the 2023 WW plan. Other plans: MyWW Green – 1 point, MyWW Blue – 0 points, MyWW Purple – 0 points

Crab legs, 3 ounces – 0 points on the 2023 WW plan. Other plans: MyWW Green – 1 point, MyWW Blue – 0 points, MyWW Purple – 0 points

Cocktail sauce – 1 point on the 2023 WW plan. Other plans: 2 points for 2 T on all plans

Black eyed peas, 1/2 cup – 0 points on the 2023 WW plan. Other plans: MyWW Green – 3 points, MyWW Blue – 0 points, MyWW Purple – 0 points

Weight Watchers Jalapeno Poppers – 2 points (2 poppers) on the 2023 WW plan. Other plans: 3 points (3 poppers) on all MyWW plans

Weight Watchers Veggie Ranch Dip with vegetables – 0 points on the 2023 WW plan. Other plans: MyWW Green – 1 point, MyWW Blue – 0 points, MyWW Purple – 0 points

Weight Watchers Mini Pizza with 2 Ingredient Dough, Light Mozzarella cheese, and Turkey Pepperoni- 3 points on all current and former WW plans

WW Lime Dessert Parfaits– 4 points on all current and former WW plans

Champagne – 5 ounces – 4 points on all plans

Total: 17 WW points on the 2023 WW plan. Other plans: MyWW Green – 25 points, MyWW Blue – 19 points, MyWW Purple – 19 points

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?”
Alternate between glasses of water and alcohol.
Say “no thanks” to taking home leftovers.
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 for 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.

WW Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year 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 may change with new WW plans.

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

Main Dish

Turkey breast, no skin, 3 ounces, – 2023 WW plan – 0 points. Other plans: MyWW Green – 1 point, MyWW Blue – 0 points, MyWW Purple – 0 points

Turkey, dark meat – 3 oz no skin – 2023 WW plan – 3 points. Other plans: MyWW Green – 2 points, MyWW Blue – 2 points, MyWW Purple – 2 points

Turkey, dark meat – 3 oz with skin – 2023 WW plan – 5 points. Other plans: MyWW Green – 4 points, MyWW Blue – 4 points, MyWW Purple – 4 points

Turkey gravy, canned – 2 WW points on the 2023 WW plan. Other plans: MyWW Green – 1 point, MyWW Blue – 1 point, MyWW Purple – 1 point

Ham, lean – 3 oz – 2 points per serving on all MyWW plans

Ham, spiral -3 oz – 4 points per serving on the 2023 WW plan. Other plans: MyWW Green – 3 points, MyWW Blue – 3 points, MyWW Purple – 3 points

Beef brisket – 3 oz – 5 points per serving on the 2023 WW plan. Other plans: MyWW Green – 4 points, MyWW Blue – 4 points, MyWW Purple – 4 points

Sides

Corn, 1/2 cup – 0 WW points on the 2023 WW program. Other plans: MyWW Green – 2 points, MyWW Blue – 0 points, MyWW Purple – 0 points

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

Green bean casserole – 1 cup serving is 7 WW points on all plans

Cranberry sauce, canned – 1/4 cup – 7 WW points on the 2023 WW program. Other plans: MyWW Green – 6 points, MyWW Blue – 6 points, MyWW Purple – 6 points

Cheese, 1 oz – 5 WW points on the 2023 WW program. Other plans: MyWW Green – 4 points, MyWW Blue – 4 points, MyWW Purple – 4 points

Mashed potatoes with cream and butter – 1 cup – 4 WW points on the 2023 WW program. Other plans: MyWW Green – 5 points, MyWW Blue – 5 points, MyWW Purple – 4 points

Stuffing, 1/2 cup from mix, prepared – 3 WW points on all plans

Stuffing, sausage – 1/2 cup – 8 WW points on the 2023 WW program. Other plans: MyWW Green – 6 points, MyWW Blue – 6 points, MyWW Purple – 6 points

Dinner roll – 4 WW points on the 2023 WW program. Other plans: My WW Green – 5 points, MyWW Blue – 5 points, MyWW Purple – 5 points

Biscuit – 7 WW points on the 2023 WW program. Other plans: MyWW Green – 4 points, MyWW Blue – 4 points, MyWW Purple – 4 points

Corn bread – 1 slice or muffin – 5 WW points on the 2023 WW program. Other plans: MyWW Green – 6 points, MyWW Blue – 6 points, MyWW Purple – 6 points

Corn casserole – 1 1/2 cup serving – 9 WW points on all plans

Macaroni and cheese – 1 serving – 15 WW points on the 2023 WW program. Other plans: MyWW Green – 14 points, MyWW Blue – 14 points, MyWW Purple – 14 points

Pickles, dill – 0 points on all plans

Challah – 1 slice – 4 WW points on the 2023 WW program. Other plans: MyWW Green – 3 points, MyWW Blue – 3 points, MyWW Purple – 3 points

Potato Latkes – 1 serving, 2 items – 8 WW points on all plans

Fats

Butter – 1 T – 6 WW points on the 2023 WW program. Other plans: MyWW Green – 5 points, MyWW Blue – 5 points, MyWW Purple – 5 points

Oil – 1 t – 2 WW points on the 2023 WW program. Other plans: MyWW Green – 1 point, MyWW Blue – 1 point, MyWW Purple – 1 point

Mixed nuts, 1/4 cup – 6 WW points on all plans

Olives – 6 large – 1 WW points on all plans

Beverages

Beer – 12 ounce – 5 WW points on all plans

Wine – 5 ounce – 4 WW points on all plans

Sparkling juice – 8 ounce – 6 WW points on all plans

Punch – 1 serving – 7 WW points on the 2023 WW program. Other plans: MyWW Green – 5 points, MyWW Blue – 5 points, MyWW Purple – 5 points

Soda pop – 12 ounce – 7 WW points on the 2023 WW program. Other plans: MyWW Green – 9 points, MyWW Blue – 9 points, MyWW Purple – 9 points

Desserts

Apple pie – 1 slice, 1/8th of pie – 17 WW points on the 2023 WW program. Other plans: MyWW Green, MyWW Blue, MyWW Purple – 16 points

Pecan pie – 1 slice – 23 WW points on the 2023 WW program. Other plans: MyWW Green, MyWW Blue, MyWW Purple – 21 points

Chocolate cake – 1 slice – 28 WW points on the 2023 WW program. Other plans: MyWW Green, MyWW Blue, MyWW Purple – 25 points

Christmas cookies – 1 sugar cookie – 7 WW points on the 2023 WW program. Other plans: MyWW Green, MyWW Blue, MyWW Purple – 3 points

Cheesecake – 1 piece – 21 WW points on the 2023 WW program. Other plans: MyWW Green, MyWW Blue, MyWW Purple – 18 points

Pumpkin bread – 1 slice – 10 WW points on the 2023 WW program. Other plans: MyWW Green, MyWW Blue, MyWW Purple – 8 points

Whipped cream, fresh – 1 T – 2 WW points on the 2023 WW program. Other plans: MyWW Green, MyWW Blue, MyWW Purple – 1 point

Cool whip – 2T – 1 WW point on all plans

Vanilla ice cream – 1/2 cup – 7 WW points on all plans

WW Support for Healthy Holidays

While it’s always important to surround yourself with a supportive community for your weight loss journey, never is it truer 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 who 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 SmartPoints Success – Free Facebook Group for anyone doing Weight Watchers/WW meetings, online, or at home.

Follow me on WW Connect @saraborgstede

Ready to join 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 Healthy Holiday Bundle

Get your WW Healthy Holiday Printables right here!

Print these worksheets 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 Healthy Holiday Printable pack includes: