Who Knew Weight Watchers Cheeses Tasted So Good? (Review)

Before Weight Watchers® cheese and cream cheese items were available, there were not many options for those who wanted to enjoy great tasting cheese without all the fat and calories. Now, Weight Watchers® shredded cheeses, natural cheese slices, cream cheeses, singles, string cheese, and cheese snacks all provide a delicious, convenient option to high calorie, full-fat cheeses. Enjoy the rich, flavorful taste of cheese for a PointsPlus® value of just 1 or 2 per serving. 

I find that summer time is when watching my weight usually goes out the window.  With scenic road trips to that lead to off the beaten path restaurant pit stops, hot nights where an ice cream seems to be the only thing that will cool you down, and sitting out my the campfire roasting S'Mores and sipping on wine.  All these things lead to additional weight you were expecting to gain.  I don't know about you, but when I see how beautiful it is outside, the last thing I want to be doing is going to a gym or staying home to exercise.  So, what is a person to do, to not sacrifice on their summer fun, while maintaining their waist line?  

I was recently sent Weight Watchers' cream cheese and cheese samples to try, along with a few other coupons to buy addition samples.  In the past, I had tried Weight Watchers' frozen meals and found them to help with losing weight, but with the recent addition of Savannah and Arabella, back to back, watching what I eat at lunch time (which is usually my biggest meal of the day) has gone by the wayside.  My nights are long, with being up all night, and then I start my day around 6AM each morning.  By the time 10AM rolls around, I am lucky if I was able to grab something healthy for breakfast.  Usually I will pick on Savannah's leftover eggs or bagel, while drinking water.  I remember before children I would have a bagel with cream cheese, along with some fresh fruit each morning.  I loved adding cream cheese to the bagel, giving it that extra tasty goodness.  But, nowadays, as soon as Savannah's bagel pops out of the toaster, she is pulling at my pant leg waiting for her "yum yums."  Then, I forget to make one for me. That was until I received these samples from Weight Watchers.  It forced me to take time in the morning to make a bagel or toast for myself and spread their cream cheese on.  After the first day of having breakfast alongside my daughter, I was amazed at how much energy I had, that carried me through lunch. Yes, I know that they say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but as a busy mom of two young children, I found it hard to fit it.

Weight Watchers offers the following flavored cream cheeses:

NEW Reduced Fat Whipped Strawberry Cream Cheese Spread

2 PointsPlus® value per serving
This creamy and delicious whipped cream cheese is sure to freshen up the blandest of breakfasts with its decadent, fruity flavor. Enjoy great taste and the benefits of added fiber while cutting the fat of regular whipped strawberry cream cheese. 

Reduced Fat Whipped Cream Cheese Spread

2 PointsPlus ™ value per serving
Indulgence is back with this creamy, easy-to-spread goodness! With less fat than regular whipped cream cheese, plus added fiber, it's an indulgence you can be proud of.

NEW Reduced Fat Whipped Onion and Chive Cream Cheese Spread

 

 

2 PointsPlus® value per serving
This savory whipped treat can be enjoyed all day, on bagels, sandwiches, veggies and more. It has less fat than regular whipped onion and chive cream cheese, added fiber and all the flavor you want. 

1 oz. Cups Reduced Fat Cream Cheese Spread

2 PointsPlus ™ value per 1 oz. cup
Single serve portion control cups of rich, delicious reduced fat cream cheese spread. These cups are not only convenient but perfect to grab and go and offer a good source of fiber.

I tried each of the above and loved them.  Out of the , I have to say my favorite was the Reduced Fat Whipped Strawberry Cream Cheese Spread, for its fruity flavor.

In addition to the cream cheeses I was sent to sample, I also tried Weight Watchers' line of cheeses.  This line consists of cheese sticks, string cheese, cheese slices and wedges, in a variety of flavors.  My favorites were the Colby Jack Sticks, Jalapeno Pepper Wedges and Reduced Fat Pepper Jack Singles.

I used the cheese when making my afternoon cold cut or grilled cheese sandwich, and even made cheese and crackers for an afternoon or evening snack.  You would think that foods meant for dieting would not taste good, but you will be surprised once you try the above cheese and cream cheese products from Weight Watchers.  I am so glad I was able to be review these, as it made me re-evaluate by breakfast and lunch regimes.  Now, I make Savannah wait until my breakfast is ready, for us to sit down and enjoy the meal today, and for lunch, as soon as the girls are napping, I am in the kitchen fixing a sandwich or salad to eat.  Not only has my energy level improved, but I have also lost weight, but watching what I eat, and eating healthier foods.

Here are a few recipes I was sent to try with the Weight Watchers samples I was sent.  Each one is easy to make and tastes delicious.  

Grilled Fruit Skewers with Strawberry Cream Cheese Dip

Serves: 4

Serving size: 2 skewers

Weight Watchers® PointsPlus® value: 4 per serving

Ingredients:

8 tablespoons Weight Watchers Reduced Fat Whipped Strawberry Cream Cheese Spread    

8 tablespoons Cool Whip Fat Free Whipped Topping   

4 medium strawberries – cut off the top and slice in half    

1 medium banana – peel and cut into 8 pieces    

2 medium nectarines – remove pits and cut into quarters    

2 slices fresh pineapple – cut into quarters    

1 1/2 teaspoons powdered sugar    

Equipment:

8 10-inch bamboo skewers – soaked in water for 15 minutes

Directions:

1.    In a mixing bowl, mix together the cream cheese and the whipped topping until well combined. Set aside in the refrigerator.

2.    Set grill temperature to medium-high.

3.    Assemble skewers so each one has one piece of each fruit.

4.    Shake powdered sugar evenly over the fruit.

5.    Set the fruit on the grill, making sure not to place them on the hottest part or they will burn before they get nice and brown.

6.    Remove and serve each skewer with 2 tablespoons of dip.

Nutritionals:

Calories: 160

Fat: 6 g

Carbohydrates: 28 g

Fiber: 4 g

Protein: 1 g

Grilled Veggie Pizza

Serves: 6

Serving size: 1 slice

Weight Watchers® PointsPlus® value: 9 per serving

Ingredients:

1 medium zucchini – sliced the length of the vegetable

1 medium summer squash – sliced the length of the vegetable

1 3/4 red bell peppers – cleaned, deseeded and cut into triangles 

1/3 pound asparagus – trimmed

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano    

1 teaspoon dried basil    

1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

1 1/2 tablespoon. sunflower oil 

1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar       

1 12-inch 100% whole wheat thin pizza crust – rolled out   

12 tablespoons Weight Watchers Reduced Fat Whipped Onion and Chive Cream Cheese Spread

Equipment:

Pizza stone

Directions:

1.    Put all the cut vegetables in a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle with oregano, basil and pepper. Mix gently with a rubber spatula to coat.

2.    Pour oil and balsamic vinegar over the vegetables. Mix again until coated.

3.    With the grill at a medium-high temperature, grill off the vegetables until they are cooked through and have nice grill marks on them. Remove from heat and cut both types of squashes on a bias into bite-size pieces.

4.    Spread the cream cheese on the crust and layer the grilled vegetables on top of the cream cheese.

5.    With a pizza stone on the grill, place the pizza on the stone and cook for about 4-5 minutes to heat up the pizza crust and cheese.

6.    Cut into 6 slices and enjoy.

Nutritionals:

Calories: 350

Fat: 17 g

Carbohydrates: 43 g

Fiber: 10 g

Protein: 11 g

"Bring a Little Heat" Turkey Burgers

Serves: 4

Serving size: 1 burger

Weight Watchers® PointsPlus® value: 7 per serving

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons fat-free mayonnaise    

1 tablespoon medium home-style salsa      

1 pound 99 percent fat-free ground turkey breast

4 Weight Watchers Jalapeno Pepper Flavored Cheese Wedges

1/2 teaspoon black pepper    

2 slices Weight Watchers Pepper Jack Singles Cheese – cut in half from corner to corner into triangles    

4 light hamburger buns    

4 pieces green leaf lettuce   

Directions:

1.    In a small mixing bowl mix together mayo and salsa. Set aside.

2.    Divide ground turkey into 4 equal sized rounds. Make 2 equal-sized patties out of each round so you have 8 patties total.

3.    Flatten each cheese wedge into a small circle. Place the cheese circles on top of 4 of the patties, and top with remaining patties, and pinch the ground turkey around the edges to seal burgers closed.

4.    Place patties on parchment paper and flatten a little bit more with your hand or with deli paper.

5.    Season each burger with fresh ground pepper.

6.    Grill until cooked through, about 5 minutes per side to an internal temperature of 165ºF.

7.    Just before you remove the burgers place a triangle of cheese on each burger.

8.    Place a burger on each bun and top with lettuce and salsa mayo. Serve immediately.

Nutritionals:

Calories: 270

Fat: 5 g

Carbohydrates: 23 g

Fiber: 5 g

Protein: 36 g

What are you waiting for?  Head on over to your favorite local market and pick up Weight Watchers cheeses today, to try with the above recipes, or substitute in your favorite dishes and recipes. And, don't forget to leave me a comment, letting me know what you think of these cheeses and  if you used them in a recipe.

Disclosure: I was sent samples at part of the MomSelect and Weight Watchers campaign.  The views above are mine and mine alone.