by Leann Zotis

Created on: November 04, 2009   Last Updated: November 09, 2009

One of the benefits of choosing the Weight Watchers program for creating a balanced eating plan for yourself and losing the excess weight you're carrying around is having the permission to eat whatever you choose, although perhaps not as frequently or in as large portions as before. There are no taboo food choices. Of course, with that freedom comes the responsibility of learning to make better choices to provide a healthier diet in order to shed those extra pounds.

One of the main premises behind the Weight Watchers program is balance. You are expected to eat regularly scheduled meals. Skipping breakfast is not an option, even if that was a common practice before starting the program. Fortunately, choosing a healthy breakfast on the Weight Watchers program is a piece of cake (pun intended). There are many great choices, most of them carrying low point values, that you can make to get each day off to a healthy start.

Your Weight Watchers counselor has, no doubt, given you a booklet covering some basic ideas for your three meals and daily snacks. This is a perfect place to start building a satisfying, points-conscious first meal of the day. One of your goals for breakfast should be to find appropriate filling foods that can keep your hunger under control until it's time for your next meal or snack.

Protein is an important part of a breakfast that will keep you feeling full and satisfied well into the morning. Consider making an omelet with two eye whites. Throw in a quarter cup of diced green pepper, onions and tomatoes. A slice of reduced calorie bread with a teaspoon of reduced calorie margarine and a cup of skim milk will provide a hearty breakfast that will be well within your points requirements.

A cup of high fiber cereal with a cup of skim milk and a small banana is another good choice. It's quick, uncomplicated and tastes like real food - because it is.

One cup of oatmeal with two tablespoons of raisins will fill you up, especially on cold, winter mornings. Add a small container of yogurt for your protein source and you'll be good to go all morning.

Eating on the run? Consider one small bagel with two tablespoons of light cream cheese and a small container of skim milk. You'll be out the door in no time with your nutritional needs under control.

Another option to consider when planning your breakfast menu is the wide variety of Weight Watchers products now readily available in most major grocery stores. They take all the guess work out of choosing foods as the nutritional information and points value is listed right on the package.

The longer you work with the Weight Watchers program, the more versatile you will become with your food choices. In time, the healthy guidelines of the Weight Watchers program will become almost second nature to you.

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