The Concept
Weight Watchers has been helping people lose weight since the 1960s. It focuses on portion control and healthy eating choices. While the plan has been criticized as being expensive, it has many elements that lead to good, long-term eating habits. The American Medical Association studied Weight Watchers as compared with three other common diets and found that long-term weight loss on the diet was modest, but with significant benefits to heart health.
Points
The key to a Weight Watchers diet is the concept of Points. Each participant has a set of points, like a food budget, that they can use each week. As a result, no food is forbidden, making the diet very flexible. And participants learn quickly, with the relatively simplistic points system, what food choices are most efficient for their diet. Additionally, participants are encouraged to exercise to either help meet weight loss goals or use points earned to add to their weekly allowed points total.
Flexibility
Points are calculated based on fiber, fat and caloric content of a single serving. As a result, participants can easily identify the value of most foods. Weight Watchers also offers flexibility with a number of points that is available each week to be used above and beyond the daily goal. This makes it relatively easy for participants to plan ahead and consume those extra points when entertaining or eating out. Additionally, participants can buy guides that identify the points value of foods at many common restaurants as well as purchase cookbooks that help participants cook healthy meals, with clearly identified points, at home.
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