THE problem with diets is that they seem to take up so much time. Let's face it, after a hard day's work, and a house full of screaming kids to look after, who can be bothered to spend an hour scraping veg and stirring up some complicated slimming recipe?

It's times like those that the microwave ready meal comes calling, or a tempting trip to the local take-away. All those good intentions fall by the wayside.

So, can you have the best of both worlds?

Slimming expert Kim Morphew reckons you can - by keeping mealtimes simple and opting for easy fresh ingredients.

She's come up with 60 quick cook recipes for WeightWatchers, which can be ready and on the table in under half an hour. Her new cook book, Spicy and Speedy, is an everyday guide to full-flavoured meal planning, based on the slimming group's points system.

Favourite veggies

Every food has a points value, based on saturated fat and calorific content, with most vegetables having zero points, meaning you can fill up by eating as much of your favourite veggies as you like.

The points allowance is calculated by age, weight, activity level and gender. And for an average woman weighing 10 stone, this works out at about 20 points.

Within this you can eat whatever you like up to your total value. However, to keep it healthy, you are encouraged to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, and to use two points on sources of calcium.

Kim's book has a range of recipes to suit most palates, ranging from the very hot and spicy to mild and flavoursome, including 20 vegetarian recipes.

In line with government guidelines, following the plan should help you lose between one and two lbs a week. However, those just starting a diet may find they lose more initially and could lose up to a stone in the first month.

Cut out our weekly menu card to try it for yourself with seven days of recipes to help you start slimming…

Spicy and Speedy by Kim Morphew is published by Simon & Schuster UK Ltd, priced £7.95. For details visit weightwatchers.co.uk or call 08457 123 000

ONE A DAY TREATS:

Two bags of WeightWatchers Potato Bakes

100g of raspberries and 1 Weight Watchers Coconut Whip Bar

One pot WeightWatchers Toffee with Biscuit Pieces Iced Dessert

One bag WeightWatchers Aromatic Lemongrass, with Lime Corn Bites

Two WeightWatchers Double Choc Chip Cookies and 100g strawberries

Crudités with two tablespoons reduced fat houmous

150g low fat custard

Two x scoops low fat ice cream

25g toffee popcorn

One medium glass (175ml) white wine

Two 25ml Jack Daniels with Diet Coke mixer

The points menu plan is based on an average 20 points values a day.

The following milk allowance should be used daily:

One pint of skimmed milk or half-a-pint of skimmed milk and one small pot low fat plain/natural yogurt

Remember to drink at least eight glasses of fluid throughout the day.

Always try to have at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day

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