For many Weight Watchers members, one of the best parts of the program is the ability to track points online. Weight Watchers eTools, which is either an online component to the full Weight Watchers meetings or an online-only membership option, allow members to read program materials, access a full database of foods, and use the online plan manager to track points online. The online option also provides an online points calculator, so rather than using a cardboard slider to figure points, you can simply type in numbers and have the program do the calculations for you.
Step 1
Log into your Weight Watchers online account, go to the Weight Watchers home page and click on "Points Tracker" in the middle of the page. From any other page on the site you can get to the points tracker by clicking "Points Tracker" in the sidebar under "Tools." A separate window will pop up.
Step 2
Enter the calories, fat and fiber values from the food label into the points calculator in the left sidebar of the tracker, click "Calculate," then choose "Add to Tracker."
Step 3
Enter the name of the food in the "Create New Food" box that pops up, and then click "Create Food."
Step 4
Enter the number of servings you ate. For example, if you entered the nutrition information for one slice of bacon, but you ate two slices, you'll enter two servings.
Step 5
Choose the time of day you ate the food. This isn't critical when it comes to your daily points intake, of course, as the numbers will add up the same at the end of the day, but it will let you look back at a particular day and see what your meals looked like.
Step 6
Choose "Add to Tracker" to enter the food in your points tracker.
Step 7
Use the search box if you don't know the nutrition data on the food you ate. Enter the name of the food in the box under "Daily Tracking Area." and click "Go."
Step 8
Find the food that most closely matches what you're looking for. If, for instance, you are looking for "applesauce," you'd have to scroll down the list and find the item that most closely matches what you're looking for---with sugar, without sugar, or a specific brand.
Step 9
Click on the food item, select the quantity you ate and the time of day you ate it, and click "Add to Tracker."
Tips and Warnings
- You'll need a paid Weight Watchers online account to use the points calculator. If you're a monthly pass meetings member you'll get an access code, which then allows you to access eTools as part of your monthly plan. If you don't use the monthly pass meeting option or want to use the online plan only, you'll sign up and pay online. If you have the nutrition label data from your food, always use that before using the food database, as it's the most accurate way to calculate exactly what you ate.
- When entering nutrition information from a label, read the label carefully to be sure how many servings something is. For instance, the label on a frozen pizza may give the nutrition information for only half the pizza.
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