How Does the Weight Watcher Point System Work?

Weight Watcher Plans

Weight Watchers has two diet plans. The first one is the Core Plan. This one does not use the point system; you get to choose foods from the Core Food List which are especially selected because they have very few calories in each ounce. This program does not use the point system.

The Point System is used in the Flex Plan. In the Flex Plan you can eat what you want as long as you do not go over your daily points target. Your personal target is based on gender, height, weight and other variables.

Using the Point System with Every Day Foods

The Flex System lets you eat everyday foods. Weight Watchers has evaluated over 27,000 different foods and given all of them a point value. When you join Weight Watchers, your counselor will work with you to come up with your daily points target. The most points you will be allowed a day is 37, and the least is 18. The lower your weight, the fewer points you will be allowed, which at first glance seems a bit backwards. But when you think about it, those who weigh more need more food, which is why crash diets do not work for those who are the heaviest. They cut back too much too fast. As you lose weight on the Flex System, you will have a lower point value, but you will need less also. It is geared to make everyone feel full. Fresh fruits like apples have a value of 1 point. A Big Mac has 13. Yes, you can eat a Big Mac, but if you do, the rest of the day's food needs to be from the lowest point values.

Using the Point System with Processed Foods and at Restaurants .

You do not have to start from scratch to participate in the Point System. Weight Watchers has its own line of frozen and other products that have their point value on the box. Stouffers Lean Cuisine also has the points on their boxes, as does Smart Ones, Laughing Cow Cheese Wedges, Wasa Crackers, Hebrew National 97% Fat-Free Hot Dogs Applebee's Restaurants has items on their menus with Weight Watchers point values listed. So does Arby's, TCBY Frozen Treats, Starbucks, In total, there are about 29 fast food chains that use the point system. Weight Watchers will also give you a calculator so you can figure the point value of many of your favorite grocery store items.