Weight Watchers allows you to eat unique and culturally diverse foods without straying from the program itself. The Weight Watchers program does this by utilizing a special system that assigns point values to food based on its nutritional value. Panko, a unique Asian twist on traditional bread crumbs, is worth three Weight Watchers point for every 1/4 cup.
About Panko
Panko is the Japanese word for "bread crumbs." There are two types of panko. White panko is made without crusts and tan panko is made from the whole loaf. The processing method results in a product that more closely resembles flakes than crumbs and alone have a very mild taste. This product is designed to take on the taste of the flavors around it, making them ideal for dishes like meat loaf and casseroles. Though not commonplace, they are available in some supermarkets in the Asian food section.
Weight Watchers Points
Panko bread crumbs are worth three Weight Watchers points for every 1/4 cup. The Weight Watchers plan assigns foods an individual numeric point value, which takes into account a food's protein, carbs, fat and fiber. Participants are allowed to eat a certain number of points per day based on their daily activity and current weight. By not eating more than your daily point allowance, you are not exceeding the fat and caloric intake levels necessary to lose weight. As an example, someone who weighs 150 lbs. is allowed about 20 points each day.
Panko Versus Bread Crumbs
Nutritionally, panko is not very different from traditional bread crumbs. For a 1/4 cup serving, panko contains 110 calories, 0.5 g of fat, 24 g of carbohydrates, 4 g of protein and 0 g of fiber. For the same 1/4 cup serving, traditional bread crumbs contain 120 calories, 1 g of fat, 22 g of carbohydrates, 5 g of protein and 1 g of fiber, making these slightly higher in fat, calories, protein and fiber. Both traditional bread crumbs and panko are each worth three Weight Watchers points per serving.
Uses For Panko Bread Crumbs
Panko makes a crispy topping for casseroles and can be used as a substitute in any recipe that calls for bread crumbs. It is often used for breading foods to fry or bake. Panko-breaded foods have a light and crunchy exterior. It can be used in place of cornstarch to thicken soups or stews. Panko may be used as a stuffing for chicken, turkey or any other bird. Once only available in Asian markets, panko is becoming more readily available in mainstream supermarkets today.
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