The points system designed by Weight Watchers is a tracking tool to help clients lose weight. According to WeightWatchers.com, every food has a points value. This points value is derived from the amount of protein, carbohydrates, fat and fiber found in that particular food. Pasta, just like all other foods, has been assigned a points value depending on the portion size, type, method of preparation and toppings.
Uncooked Pasta
According to the 2009 "Weight Watchers Complete Food Companion," 2 oz. of uncooked pasta equates to four points. If you cook an entire pound of pasta, there are 32 points in the pound. If you plan to divide that four ways, that would equate to eight points per serving. Typically, foods higher in fiber have a lower points value. Therefore, 2 oz. of uncooked whole-wheat pasta is just three points per serving or 26 points for a 1-lb. box.
Cooked Pasta
If your pasta is prepared in seasoned water, then 1 cup of cooked pasta is worth four points on the Weight Watchers system. If the pasta is whole-wheat, then 1 cup is worth three points. If you prepare your pasta with garlic and olive oil, 1 cup yields seven points.
Toppings
Very rarely will you eat pasta with no sauce. Therefore, any cheese, sauce or butter that you put on your pasta will add points to your dish. A 1/2-cup serving of traditional marinara sauce will add two points to your dish. Meat sauce adds five points to your pasta serving, and store-bought Alfredo sauce adds 10 points per 1/2-cup serving. Grated Parmesan cheese added to any of these pasta dishes on another point for every 2 tbsp.
Stuffed Pasta
If your pasta is stuffed with cheese or meat, that will obviously up the points value. For example, eight cheese ravioli topped with 1/2 cup of sauce is listed at 16 points per serving. If there is beef or chicken in the ravioli, the points value is 14 points per serving. Tortellini, another popular stuffed pasta, ranges from three points for 2/3 cup of the cheese-stuffed without the sauce to seven points when stuffed with sausage.
References
- Weight Watchers: Weight-Loss Math Made Simple
- "Weight Watchers Complete Food Companion"; Weight Watchers International; 2009
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