What are Weight Watchers Points?

The Weight Watchers programme uses a points system to help you manage your diet and achieve your weight loss goals. It works by calculating your daily points allowance based on your height, weight, age, and activity level. Every food has a specific point value, and you're encouraged to stay within your daily limit. While Weight Watchers has rebranded itself as a wellness company, its main focus is still on weight loss. In a world where diets are constantly evolving, Weight Watchers has had to adapt to stay relevant.

In 2018, the company revamped its approach. The points system remains central, but it now presents itself as a more personalised plan. Gone are the days of weekly weigh-ins and group meetings – now everything can be tracked through the WW app, which also allows you to connect with others virtually. Another change is that some foods, which used to be considered high in points, now have zero-point values. This can be confusing for those trying to cut calories, and the restrictive nature of the system could lead to overeating later in the day. To address these issues, Weight Watchers introduced zero-point foods, though it's debatable whether this change improves the system.

How does the Weight Watchers points system work?

The Weight Watchers Points system simplifies nutrition science to support weight loss. Each food and drink is assigned a Points value, calculated based on its calories, saturated fat, protein, sugar, and fibre content. Foods high in sugar and saturated fat increase in points, while those rich in fibre, protein, and healthy fats have lower points. Alongside this, you get access to a list of over 200 ZeroPoints foods, which don’t need to be tracked. With your personalised daily Points Budget, staying on track becomes easier. The app helps you manage your points, and you also get a weekly Points Budget for extra flexibility, allowing you to save points for the weekend or spend a few more each day.

How many Weight Watchers points can you have per day?

The points system assigns each food a value based on its nutritional content, including calories, saturated fat, sugar, and protein. On average, members receive around 30 points per day, with weekly points tailored to their height, weight, and gender. Your personal metabolic rate, age, height, and weight help determine your individual budget. The app makes it easy to track your points, offers plenty of healthy recipes, and provides meal plans to help you stay within your daily allowance.

Which Weight Watchers foods have zero points?

Dieting can often feel like a chore, especially when you have to count every single bite. To make things easier, Weight Watchers introduced a list of 200 foods that don’t require any tracking or measuring. These ZeroPoint foods, which include eggs, salmon, beans, and even lobster, can be eaten freely. This approach reflects recent research on healthy eating and encourages participants to focus on nutritious options like fruits and non-starchy vegetables, all of which are ZeroPoints items. These foods are packed with essential nutrients and help keep you feeling full, without adding to your points total.

Interestingly, the new list includes items like whole eggs and various types of fish, which were previously considered higher in points. However, the concept behind these changes is simple: foods like broccoli and kale are hard to overindulge in, unlike high-calorie treats. You might eat two servings of pumpkin pie, but you’d have to eat dozens of portions of vegetables to reach the same calorie count. Other ZeroPoint options include skinless chicken, turkey, and different types of shellfish, such as crab and lobster.

Does Weight Watchers help with weight loss?

Weight Watchers is designed to help people lose weight gradually, aiming for a safe target of 1-2 pounds per week, as recommended by the National Institute of Health. Slow and steady weight loss is more sustainable and less likely to result in regaining the weight later on, which is why Weight Watchers promotes a balanced, long-term approach.

What are some pros and cons of Weight Watchers?

One advantage of the Weight Watchers system is that it gives you the freedom to choose what you want to eat, while still working within your daily points limit. This flexibility makes it easier to stick to the plan. Plus, it encourages you to set goals for daily and weekly activity, rewarding you with extra Personal Points for your efforts, which helps you stay motivated.

However, tracking your food and points can become tedious, and staying within your points budget might feel restrictive at times. For some, this hyper-focus on food can create an unhealthy relationship with eating, leading to disordered patterns that are counterproductive for long-term weight management.