Applebee's has added new entrees to its menu that are figure-friendly and rated under the Weight Watchers PointsPlus® program.
Applebee's and Weight Watchers renewed their business partnership and the casual dining restaurant chain celebrated by increasing the number of entrees authorized and pre-measured under the PointsPlus® system.
Their two companies began their relationship in 2004, which is an exclusive one. Applebee's is the only restaurant that offers Weight Watcher approved meals.
That exclusivity gives the restaurant chain a marketing edge when diners are wondering how to accommodate a more weight-conscious diet with the fun of eating out.
Mike Archer, president of Applebee’s Services, Inc. said in a joint press release by the two companies, "Applebee’s continues to give our guests what they want: smarter choices that taste great. For guests who are Weight Watchers members, as well as those looking for smarter options, these new Weight Watchers dishes deliver.”
The entrees added to the menu feature a full portion of steak, shrimp or chicken along with vegetables and either rice or potatoes.
Creamy Parmesan Chicken (Weight Watchers PointsPlus value: 12): Applebee’s juicy grilled chicken breast with creamy au gratin Parmesan sauce, served with steamed spinach and mushroom rice pilaf.
Grilled Jalapeno-Lime Shrimp (Weight Watchers PointsPlus value: 8): A hearty portion of grilled chipotle lime shrimp and black bean corn salsa tossed with lime juice and chopped cilantro, served on a mix of grilled zucchini, marinated tomatoes, onions & red peppers with steamed white rice.
Cabernet Mushroom Sirloin (Weight Watchers PointsPlus value: 12): Applebee’s 7 oz. grilled House Sirloin with sautéed Portobello mushrooms & onions in a Napa Valley Cabernet sauce with steamed herbed potatoes and garlic broccoli.
The idea behind PointsPlus is to measure the fat, carbohydrate and protein calories consumed daily while factoring in how hard the body works to process them. and reduce each item of food to a number of points.
Members consume a fixed number of points each day and are given a big chunk of extra points to be used throughout the week as they desire.
Weight Watchers had previously announced some changes to its PointsPlus program for 2012. One of the biggest changes was to reduce the points values on most fruits and vegetables to zero and to emphasize activity as an aid to lose and maintain weight loss.
Weight Watchers has also increased its presence in chain supermarkets in the fresh food section. The company distributes 18 ready to heat meals that are portion controlled and given a PointsPlus value. The meals are available in certain regions of the country and can be found online at Peapod.com
Image source: Applebee's Photo is of the Weight Watchers Cabernet Mushroom Sirloin meal
Comment and add to the story without registration, but keep the comments meaningful please. Links are not accepted.
