Weight Watchers Points

Are all points created equal? For instance, I can have 2 cups of pineapple and know it's 2 points. But sometimes, when I want a little chocolate, i like the hostess 100 pt. snack cakes and know that's 2 points. I realize I am getting the benefit from the fruit vs. the cakes. But, are all points still equal? Is a 2 pt treat equivilent to a 2 pt veggie, etc?

Thu. Aug 23, 1:49pm

I believe points are approximately equivalent calorie-wise, but no - they are not equivalent nutritionally.

ex: that pinapple contains maganese, vitamin C, B1 and fiber and all that snack cake contains is processed sugar. Same amount of calories though so they are likely to have an equal effect on your weight. However Vit C is essential for a healthy immune system, good skin and studies have shown that people who eat a diet high in vit C (among others) have lower occurances of cancer, heart disease and arthritis.

So are they equal? Will that snack cake help lower your risk of disease over time? Provide your body with the essential nutrients it needs to function well? Of course not, that's why they are called 'treats' and only meant to be eaten occasionally, not as a dietary staple. However a calorie is a calorie and that's how you can be skinny, but not necessarily healthy.

Bon Appetite!

Thursday, August 23, 2007, 2:59 PM

2:59, wonderful response to the original post. I'd add that the snack cake is actually a net negative to your health, and the pineapple a net positive. Somehow weight watchers (or someone) needs to take this into account. It is not just about losing weight.

Thursday, August 23, 2007, 3:01 PM

I think it is easier to lose weight on WW if you are eating "healthy" foods rather than eating junk and staying within your points, because you feel fuller and don't need to overeat. A meal with lots of veggies and whole grains will leave you fuller (for the same points) as a small cheeseburger from McD's. That's why most people on WW end up eating healthier foods, because they're just too hungry if they eat junk and try to stay within their points range.

Thursday, August 23, 2007, 3:33 PM

OP Here.

Thanks for all the tips. The first time I did weight watchers for three months, I gained 8 pounds. Why? Because they told me what my points were per day and that as long as I stuck with that, I would lose weight. NOPE. I ate what I wanted (not the greatest choices) and gained weight even though I stuck to my points.

I am trying it again with adding more fruits and veggies and have been successful, however, someone just told me a point is a point no matter what. I have to say i don't believe it.

THanks gals!

Thursday, August 23, 2007, 4:15 PM

points

In older ww programs, they would give you a certain number of breads, proteins, fruits/vegs, fats, and optional calories to spend during the day. Then came points. While I like the points system, you can always go back to the other system to see how many of what types of foods you really should be consuming in your points total. A point is roughly 50 calories. And if your food is 100 calories of fat, it is 2 points but you won't lose weight. So, you might look at an older ww cookbook for the numbers of portions of each food type, or go to your meeting and ask your group leader to give you a points breakdown. They probably have one.

Thursday, August 23, 2007, 4:40 PM

WW does address nutrition in their healthy guidelines.
~5 fruits & veggies a day (minimum)
~6 glasses of water a day (minimum)
~2 servings of dairy a day
~2 t. of healthy oil a day
~darn, cant remember the last one..... lean protein or whole grains????

They should probably put more emphasis on these guidelines, but whom ever told you a point was a point really didn't know the program.

Friday, August 24, 2007, 5:17 PM

To the best of my knowledge all pionts are created equalBut you can't for get that a big part of the program is eating healthy! 5 fruits and veggies at least 2 dairy ser and 2 protien 8 glasses of water and don't forget excercise! Now if you didn't have all your fruits and veggies the hostees 100 cal pack would be a bad chioce. Good Luck1

Friday, August 24, 2007, 11:36 PM

All points created equal? NO

You need to just ask your leader - and this is just one reason of why ths program really doesn't work without sitting in on a meeting - to find out that all points are not equal.

The best rule of t thumb is to pick the item with the point value that will fill you up a litle more than simple sugars/carbs which will just leave you craving more like candy or cookies or soda.

BALANCE is the way to go. And since we didn't eat more balanced on the way into Weight Watchers (hence, we are all a part of WW) then we ned to balance ourselves out, in WW.

But ask the leader for a breakdown of points recommended (how many points worth of protein, carbs, whole grain) daily. For a balanced fit. They have it and it's helpful.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009, 10:13 AM

The latest update to the Weight Watchers Points system is called Points plus. This post summarizes the changes:

http://blog.peertrainer.com/tip_of_the_day/2010/11/weight-watchers-new-program-2011.html

Tuesday, March 8, 2011, 9:17 AM

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