Smart Ones Traditional Lasagna with Meat Sauce

Yesterday we tried the Weight Watchers Smart Ones Traditional Lasagna with Meat Sauce. Some of the copy from the box describes it as five layers of decadence with tender lasagna pasta, rich ricotta cheese, meat sauce and mozzarella cheese. I would not use the word decadent but it was a satisfying meal.

This might be the best frozen lasagna that I have tried even considering it is produced for those of us trying to loose weight. Sometimes frozen meals that are prepared in the microwave end up with burnt edges, hard pasta, mushy ingredients but this one came out very nice. If you had of taken it out of the tray and placed it on a plate you could have passed it off as if you made it yourself. I have had better home cooked lasagna but I was freezer to comfy chair with my remote in just over ten minutes.

This one gets a big thumbs up from me and I know just what I want to use my Smart Ones coupons on now. Here are the stats for my fellow point watchers, 300 Calories, 6 Grams of Fat, 6 Grams of Fiber and only 6 Points. By the way you can visit the Smart Ones site to get coupons for some great savings coupons.

Buckling Down and Getting Serious Again

Being someone that has battled a weight issue practically all my life I have reached that point again where I have decided to take action yet again. I am at the heaviest I have ever been and in the worst shape of my life. The last few months have been really tough, even simple things seem to just wear me out.

So, that begs the question just what am I going to do about it? Well, for me I have had the most success using the Weight Watchers program although I have never been to a meeting. I have followed their point systems with good results and I know it works for me. I can stay on a diet when I set my mind to it and when I don't have to completely give up a type of food completely.

For example if I had to give up bread or sweets totally I would never stay on a diet. The great thing about the point system from Weight Watchers is that I can work in those kinds of foods in moderation. Right now I can have 28-35 points but I try to stay at 30. If I want a big ole yeast roll or a piece of pie I just have to make sure I stay within my points for the day. With the point system I have the flexibility to eat almost anything as long as I stay within my number.

I started counting points again last Monday and so far things have been going well. I am looking forward to weighing in tomorrow evening. I am handling the weigh in differently this time around as I am going to weigh in the evening before I eat dinner. I used to always weigh in the morning before I ate anything. I think weighing in before dinner will help remind me of my goal and hopefully be an encouragement. My toughest times are at night and of course on the weekends.

I'll have an update after tomorrows weigh in.

Weight Watchers Smart Ones Chicken Oriental

The Specs 230 Calories 2.5 Grams of Fat 2 Grams Fiber

Points 4

Smart Ones describes this meal as a juicy white meat chicken in a savory Oriental sauce with vegetables and rice. That describes it pretty well. I prepared this meal exactly per the instructions on the box. It came out just right as the rice was not in one big clump and the sauce had not begun to burn and stick to the container. This meal was good and I would not hesitate to select it again.

I like the big slices of carrots that were mixed in. The chicken had the taste and texture of actual chicken breast chunks. As I mentioned before the rice was not clumpy. Sometimes the rice just makes one big ball in frozen meals. Also, this meal gets a gold star from me because it is only 4 points and is hearty.

Weight Watchers Smart Ones Lasagna Bolognese

Todays selection comes from the Smart Ones line of frozen entrées and is called Lasagna Bolognese. Described as curly, bite-sized lasagna ribbons in a rich Bolognese-meat sauce with Mozzarella this meal was good but not great. I will say it was rather meaty which was nice. The noodles were tender and the sauce was average. I cooked this one exactly according to the instructions on the box and it was right on.

I wouldn’t hesitate to try this one again but I think the Three Cheese Ziti Marinara is a better choice.

The Specs 270 Calories 5 Grams of Fat 3 Grams of Fiber

Points 5

Weight Watchers Smart Ones Strawberry Shortcake

When you are looking for a dessert selection that you can fit into your diet plan give the Smart Ones Strawberry Shortcake a shot. Tucked away in your grocer’s freezer section this flavorful dessert is a nice way to finish a low calorie meal. It’s so easy too you just take it out of the freezer and let it thaw. I prefer to eat mine while still a little hard, I like the semi frozen grainy strawberry topping.

The Specs 170 Calories 6 Grams of Fat 1 Gram of Fiber

Points 4

Weight Watchers Smart Ones – Roasted Chicken with Sour Cream and Chive Mashed Potatoes

The Specs – 180 Calories 4 Grams of Fat 2 Grams of Fiber

White meat chicken in a mushroom and onion wine sauce

Points 4

This entrée was disappointing to say the least. First off I found a bone chip the size of a kernel of corn in it. Secondly the chicken texture was like it had been shredded from all parts of the chicken and then re-formed for the meal. The gravy was way too salty.

On the plus side the potatoes were great. I could have just eaten a big bowl of them. But, then it wouldn’t have been only 4 points either.

I won’t be buying this offering again. But, I will look for those potatoes in other Weight Watchers meals.

Weight Watchers Smart Ones Angel Hair Marinara

The Specs 430 Calories 4 Grams of Fat 4 grams of Fiber

Points 4

Angel Hair Pasta with a marinara sauce sprinkled with spinach, yellow and green zucchini.

Well, we have another addition to my lunchbox. This offering from Smart Ones was pretty good. The marinara sauce was tangy and the pasta was sufficient. As for the veggies they still had just the right crunch even after their 4 minutes in the microwave. If I could make a suggestion to the folks at Smart Ones, how about some mushroom added to the vegetable medley?

Next time I’m meandering along the frozen foods isle; I won’t hesitate to take this one home.

Weight Watchers Smart Ones Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

The Specs 310 Calories 6 Grams Fat 5 Grams Fiber

Points 6

This meal from Weight Watchers claims to be improved with chunky meat sauce. It did seem to be meatier than previous spaghetti offerings. The package describes the meal as a tender spaghetti in a delicious hearty meat sauce with onions, mushrooms and tomatoes. I did not notice the onions. I only had about 3 mushroom slices, I would have like more.

The meal had a good taste and was filling for lunch time. I would not hesitate to try this one again.

Weight Watchers Smart Ones – Shrimp Marinara

The Specs – 180 Calories 1.5 grams fat 4 grams fiber

Points 3

Smart Ones describes this selection as linguini in a zesty marinara sauce with tender bay shrimp and mushrooms. I enjoyed this meal. The linguini noodles were a nice change to just using spaghetti. The sauce has a good tangy flavor. It would have been nice to have a few more shrimp. My suggestion for cooking is to be careful removing the plastic cover (condensation) as you don’t want to add any more water to the entree.

I give this one an A+ and will definitely add it to the lunch box.

Weight Watchers Smart Ones – Chicken Parmesan

The Specs 290 Calories 5 Grams Fat 4 Grams Fiber

Points 5

Described as seasoned chicken breast and spaghetti with marinara sauce topped with cheese it falls short of the grade. Sometimes you just have to tell yourself that it is diet food so what do you expect? The chicken was like a pressed patty made to taste like chicken. The pasta and sauce were fine but some of the other meals I have tried before are better.

I’ll leave this one in my grocer’s freezer case.

Weight Watchers Smart Ones – Lemon Herb Chicken Piccata

The Specs 230 Calories 1.5 Fat Grams 2 Grams Fiber

Points 4

This offering described on the box as, grilled white meat chicken in a tangy lemon sauce with rice & spring vegetables are my latest selection for lunch. The rice and vegetable mix was enjoyable while the chicken was a little dry. Even though the chicken was lavishly spread with the lemon sauce I still found it a bit dry. I was pleased that the lemon sauce was not too ‘lemony’. If you really like lemon then you may want to pass on this one.

Although, it will not become a regular I will try it again.

Weight Watchers Smart Ones – Chicken Carbonara

The Specs- 250 Calories 4.5 Fat Grams 2 Grams Fiber

Points 5

My first impression of this entree was not good. The aroma coming from the microwave left me thinking I should have picked something else.

This meal has roasted chicken in a creamy parmesan cheese sauce with lean turkey bacon, basil and garlic over a bed of linguini. They threw in some english peas as well. Once I got past the aroma I was pleased with the taste. I do wish the sauce were a bit thicker. The linguini was just right.

I will add this one to my lunchbox as well.

Weight Watchers- Smart Ones Chicken Mirabella

Specs- 200 Calories 2 Grams Fat 3 Grams Fiber

Points 4

The box describes this frozen entrée as “a medley of pasta and white meat chicken in a marsala wine sauce with garden vegetables.” I enjoyed the vegetables in the dish but I thought it had less meat than several of the other entrees I have tried. I cooked it exactly as the box instructed and it was just right.

I was a little disappointed in the taste, therefore I probably will not add this one to my lunch box.

Weight Watchers – Three Cheese Ziti Marinara

The Specs 320 Calories 8 Fat grams 4 grams Fiber

Points 6

This frozen entrée from Weight Watchers is great for lunch. It seems to be a little cheesier than some other frozen diet dinners I have tried. I will definitely add it to my lunchbox. The first time I cooked it though I left it in a littler longer and the cheese stuck together some. The next time I got it just right. As everyone knows cooking times vary from microwave to microwave.

If you are looking for a spicy marinara sauce then you will probably be disappointed in this one. But, spicy is hard to come by in diet food anyway.