Weight Watchers helps members lose weight by assigning point values to foods. Members may eat anything they would like, but must add together the point values of each of the foods they eat. Members must consume less than their allotted point value in order to lose weight. For sudden hunger pangs when remaining points are low, Weight Watchers allows zero-point foods, which are foods you can eat that do not count toward your point total.
Vegetables
Most zero-point foods are vegetables. Weight Watchers considers many vegetables to be worth zero points because they contain so few calories as not to contribute to weight gain. Regardless, members must still monitor the quantity of vegetables they consume. For most vegetables, you may eat up to a cup of the ingredient without contributing to your point total. Vegetables such as asparagus, cauliflower, carrots, celery, tomatoes and turnips are all worth zero points, and may be eaten on their own or included in a vegetable soup for zero points.
Beverages
Because Weight Watchers' point values are based on the amount of calories in the item, many low-calorie beverages are worth zero points. However, even diet sodas may contain too many calories to count as a zero point food, so look carefully at every beverage before you drink it. You may drink a single cup of coffee or tea in the morning and count zero points, provided you have not added anything such as sugar, milk or honey. You may also drink one can of club soda for zero points if you desire something carbonated. You may flavor plain water with additives such as Crystal Light for zero points as well.
Condiments
Although a boneless, skinless chicken breast may be worth few points, the condiments you put on top of the chicken may be adding more calories than you realize. Weight Watchers suggests a few zero-calorie condiments that add flavor without adding many calories. For condiments, limiting the amount you add is important. For instance, while 2 tbsp. of salsa would be worth zero points, 4 tbsp. would be worth half a point. Other zero-point condiments include 1 tbsp. of barbecue sauce, 2 tbsp. of fat-free salad dressing, 1 tbsp. of chili sauce and 1 tsp. of bacon bits.
Snacks
Snacks should be limited, but you may indulge in a few zero-point snacks to help satisfy a sweet tooth. More than any other category of zero-point foods, snacks must be limited in quantity to continue weight loss. Although Weight Watchers permits a few zero-point snacks to help make the diet plan easier to follow, you should remove zero-point snacks from your meal plan if you find that you are not losing weight. Some zero-point snacks include one vanilla wafer, 1 cup of sugar-free gelatin, 2 tbsp. of a "lite" whipped topping and 1 tsp. of sunflower seeds. Some fruits, such as one kiwi, one small orange or one small peach, also count for zero points.
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