Weight Watchers Points For A 1,200-calorie Diet

Weight Watchers, a well-known dieting program, provides a nutritional guide to help you lose weight through a food system that uses "points." This systematic guide gives you choices for each day of the week along with a series of healthy foods and creative ways to eat them. A 1,200-calorie diet consists of certain foods containing specific numbers of points adding up to 1,200 calories per day.

Water

Along with the actual foods you will need to eat while on the Weight Watchers diet, there are other things you can do to help yourself lose weight. For example, drink at least six to eight 8 oz. glasses of water each day. Water helps detoxify your body of harmful chemicals, MayoClinic.com reports.

Adding Exercise

Remember to add exercise to your daily weight loss plan. Exercise and diet work together and constitute a lifestyle change that can help you lose weight as well as keep it off. Do not expect to change your entire way of living overnight. It takes time, effort and perseverance with Weight Watchers.

Calculate Your Points to Calories

Weight Watchers provides an online calculator for determining your points from calories. The company also provides print copies of its meal plans to paying clients. These calculators will clarify any questions you may have regarding the points in foods you want to consume for the day. You can divide up your food into meals and keep tabs on your diet success. Each point equals 50 calories, CalculatorCat.com indicates. If the food contains fat and fiber, calculate those amounts into the formula to obtain your results.

Breakfast

You can alternate different foods each day and for each meal. For example, Weight Watchers recommends a heavier use of points for the start of your day with breakfast. You can use 500 calories for this meal. Ideas for your breakfast include two slices of toasted bread of 1 oz. each. Each slice contains two points equaling 100 calories, giving a total of 200 calories. You could choose 2 cups of bran flakes instead, equaling the same amount of points and calories. Two tablespoons of peanut butter equals four points, or 200 calories. If you choose the cereal instead, the addition of 1 cup of skim milk equals two points, or 100 calories. One-half cup of juice totals 50 calories, or one point. One egg equals one point, or 50 calories. Drink two glasses of water before breakfast.

Lunch

Your lunchtime calories can equal 450 calories. If you prefer a sandwich for lunch, two slices of bread equal 200 calories, or four points. Remember to use the Weight Watcher's calorie and point calculator for determining the addition of fiber and fat. One slice of lean roast beef equals three points, or 150 calories. Have two slices of beef on your sandwich with a cup of skim milk. Four tablespoons of fat-free mayonnaise equals one point, or 50 calories. Water provides no calories. You should drink at least two glasses of water before mealtime.

Dinner

You have 250 calories left. A wholesome salad for dinner of 2 cups greens equals zero calories. Reduced-calorie Italian dressing equals one point, or 50 calories. Add a slice of turkey for another two points and 100 calories. A half-cup of low-fat cottage cheese equals one point, or 50 calories. Drink two glasses of water before dinner. The water will help curb your appetite as well as keep you hydrated.