free guide to weight watchers point system
Food items are assigned a points value and members use a points "calculator" and recipes provided by the program.
Members are further encouraged to attend counseling sessions held locally for ideas and advice and to assist with the lifestyle changes which naturally accompany any dieting program. Online support is also available, as well as online calculators, menus and recipes.
In addition, Weight Watchers produce their own line of meals which can be purchased at various larger grocery chains.
A points value is assigned to foods based upon the amount of fiber, the quantity of fat, the size of the portion and the number of calories in each serving. As a general rule, high fat foods have a high points value and high fiber foods have a low points value. The daily allowance for dieters then depends upon such things as body weight and the desired weight loss.
The points formula used is:

Where: p = Points | c = Calories | f = Fat Grams | r = Dietary fiber Grams
(Note: in the term (minr, 4) a maximum of 4 grams of fiber is used in the calculation. This means that, if the actual figure is less than 4 this is used, but, if the figure is greater than 4 then 4 is used.
Here are just some examples of the points given to specific foods:
| Food |
Calories |
Fat (g) |
Carbohydrates |
Fiber |
Points |
| Big Mac | 590 | 34 | 47 | 3 | 14 | Low-fat brownie sundae | 326 | 3.2 | 72 | 4.6 | 6 | | Medium Fries | 450 | 22 | 57 | 5 | 10 | Quarter Pounder with cheese | 430 | 30 | 38 | 2 | 13 |
free guide to weight watchers point system, Weight Watchers Plan
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