Individuals who are overweight typically underestimate caloric intake by 40 percent, according to Cornell University. As a result, accurately tracking how much you eat is a key component in healthy weight loss. You need to first identify what your intake target should be and then devise a system for monitoring how much you eat. Both the points system and the calorie system offer effective ways to accomplish these tasks.
Clarification
Points refer to the system that Weight Watchers uses to track food intake. Rather than counting calories, individuals using the Weight Watchers system count points. The points value of a food item is based on the calorie, fat and fiber content of the food. High fat content raises the points value of a food and fiber content lowers the points value.
Features
Weight Watchers uses a quiz to determine your daily points target. The points quiz factors in your sex, age, height, weight and lifestyle to calculate how many food points you can have each day. Your calorie needs depend on similar factors. If you know how many calories you need daily to maintain your weight, you can subtract 250 from that number to lose 1/2 lb. per week or 500 to lose 1 lb. per week.
Benefits
Most foods have a points value of 10 or lower, and the daily points value for dieters caps at 40 points. This keeps counting in the tens, which may be easier to track than calories. At a minimum, women on a weight loss plan need 1,200 calories and men need 1,500, according to MedlinePlus. However, counting calories may be simpler than counting points if you don't have ready access to points value information. The calorie content of most packaged foods are listed on the label.
Factors
Although the points system helps you limit caloric intake, it also encourages you to make low-fat, high-fiber choices more often. You get to eat more food for your allotted points when you choose low-calorie foods and foods that are high in fiber. Foods with a high fiber content help you feel full because they take longer to digest, according to the Mayo Clinic. The same principle applies when you count calories. Limiting foods that are high in fat, while choosing low-calorie, fiber-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains more often, helps you get more food for your calories.
Effects
To lose weight, you need to eat less calories than you burn. Either the points system or the calorie system can help you do that if you stay within your allotted target. You're essentially cutting calories to support weight loss, whether you count calories or points. For best results, choose the method that you find easiest to track.
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