How Many Points a Day for Weight Watchers?
The Weight Watchers plan isn’t just an umbrella plan that every person follows 1. According to the Weight Watchers website, the program is based on a daily points “budget,” and includes different point-value goals depending on your weight 1. You can keep track of points in a hand-written journal or by joining Weight Watchers online and recording a digital food diary 1.
How Points Work
Everything you eat has a point value to help you keep track of how much you consume throughout the day. According to the Weight Watchers website, this value is based on calories, fat and fiber 1. You can figure out how many points a food is worth by looking at the nutrition facts and entering these values into a point calculator.
- Everything you eat has a point value to help you keep track of how much you consume throughout the day.
- You can figure out how many points a food is worth by looking at the nutrition facts and entering these values into a point calculator.
How Many Points Allowed Per Day
What Are the Weight Watchers Points for a Publix Cupcake?
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The number of points you should consume per day is based on your current weight. According to Starling Fitness, the point allowances based on weight are as follows 2:
Less than 150 pounds: 20 Points/Day 150 to 174 pounds: 22 Points/Day 175 to 199 pounds: 24 Points/Day 200 to 224 pounds: 26 Points/Day 225 to 250 pounds: 28 Points/Day 250 to 275 pounds: 30 Points/Day 275 to 300 pounds: 31 Points/Day 300 to 325 pounds: 33 Points/Day More than 350 pounds: 34 Points/Day
Flex Points
You do get some leverage outside of your daily points allowance on Weight Watchers 1. According to Starling Fitness, each week, you can consume up to 35 points of any food or drink you’d like, on any day of the week 2. You can split the points up over the seven days, or save a large chunk of points for a special occasion or treat.
Activity Points
Weight Watchers Points for a Pineapple
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According to Starling Fitness, you also can earn activity points through various forms of exercise 2. Just like there is a points calculator, you can also use an activity points calculator. Enter the intensity of exercise and the amount of time you did it, and you can figure out how many extra points you earned that day.
The Momentum Program
Weight Watchers recently introduced the Momentum Program, which is still based on the points system 1. The program is centered around “Filling Foods,” which should limit hunger feelings while remaining within your points budget. Filling Foods range from simple snacks, such as cherries, to ingredients you can include in entrees, such as whole-wheat pasta.
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References
- Weight Watchers
- Starling Fitness
- Ma Y, Pagoto SL, Griffith JA, et al. A dietary quality comparison of popular weight-loss plans. J Am Diet Assoc. 2007;107(10):1786–1791. doi:10.1016/j.jada.2007.07.013
- USDA. A Closer Look at Current Intakes and Recommended Shifts. 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines.
- Gudzune KA, Doshi RS, Mehta AK, et al. Efficacy of commercial weight-loss programs: an updated systematic review. Ann Intern Med. 2015;162(7):501–512. doi:10.7326/M14-2238
- Damms-Machado A, Weser G, Bischoff SC. Micronutrient deficiency in obese subjects undergoing low calorie diet. Nutr J. 2012;11:34. doi:10.1186/1475-2891-11-34
- Strychar I. Diet in the management of weight loss. CMAJ. 2006;174(1):56–63. doi:10.1503/cmaj.045037
- Ahern et al. Extended and standard duration weight-loss programme referrals for adults in primary care (WRAP): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2017 Jun 3; 389(10085): 2214–2225.
Writer Bio
Emma Sarran has a degree in journalism and mass communications from Drake University, and has written for publications such as "Country Home" magazine, Seventeen.com, "Figure" magazine, TheKnot.com and WeddingChannel.com. She writes on a wide variety of topics, from fashion to home design, weddings and more.