Big change for Weight Watchers PointsPlus system

I tried Weight Watchers Online back in the mid 90s and it worked fairly well for me. (Although after a few months, I quit after I grew weary of having to track every single thing that I ate.) At the time, the Weight Watchers system was what I’ll call “points agnostic.” Whether it was a Snickers bar or an apple, it all racked up points.

But starting in 2010, Weight Watchers revamped their program as “PointsPlus.” Among the many changes they made to tweak their formula, probably the biggest change was to put almost all fresh fruits and vegetables under the “zero points” designation. This was designed to encourage people to eat more (some; any) fresh fruits and vegetables every day.

Although carb haters will be horrified to learn that Weight Watchers members are being encouraged to eat carrots, apples and bananas with abandon, Weight Watchers is taking a longer view. First, these items fill you up, while adding fiber, vitamins and minerals. Second, they provide healthy variety to a diet that might otherwise become dreary and bland. (Anyone for a single skinless steamed chicken breast for dinner?) Third and most importantly, Weight Watchers feels that eating these healthy foods helps retrain members for a lifelong healthy habit, thus increasing the chances that they will keep the weight down.

Personally, I have always had a tough time getting enough vegetables. But it’s nice to know that I can eat a humungous salad, and the only points cost is in the dressing. I also like having a huge bowl full of fruit on the kitchen counter, knowing that I can pick out anything from that bowl and eat as much as I want any time hunger or a craving strikes. And I’m losing weight, so it must be working! (That being said, the new system hasn’t worked for everyone. You may need to tinker with your allotment if you don’t lose weight at the default values.)

Image courtesy Flickr/plumandjello