Weight Loss

Quite unlike other diet plans, there is no explicit set of instructions on Though-shall-not lines in Weight Watchers Diet. However, this does not mean that you can eat whatever you want. The diet plan still regulates choices by encouraging you to eat more nutritious foods.

Weight Watcher Diet: The Flex Plan

The mainstay of Weight Watchers diet is a Flex Plan. It reflects the Weight Watcher group's philosophy. Eat what you feel like. Nothing is made off-limits to people. But as told earlier, this is not what reality is.

The Flex Plan regulates eating habits by assigning point values to different food groups. These values are based on that food group's calorie, total fat, and dietary fiber content. An example of this point-based Flex Plan system is as follows.

*1 cup broccoli equals 0 points
*1/2 cantaloupe equals 2 points
*1 slice bread equals 2 points
*1 3-ounce grilled chicken breast equals 3 points
*1 ounce chocolate equals 4 points
*1 scoop vanilla ice cream equals 4 points
*1 small bean burrito equals 5 points
*1 cup spaghetti with 1/2 cup marinara sauce equals 6 points
*1/4 cup regular creamy salad dressing equals 8 points
*1 6-ounce steak equals 8 points

Similarly, almost everything that can be eaten is provided with specific points against their names. These points are useful for weight loss in a manner explained below.

A Daily Points Range is provided as a target for each member. This target is calculated based on the member's body weight. Further, apart from the point value of food items given above, members are provided with "Points Finder" to help them calibrate the point value of a recipe or a packaged product. This helps them to calculate the points of almost all things that they are eating. The real effort to be made is to keep the final tally of points below the Daily Point Range.

Core Plan

The Core Plan has been very recently incorporated into Weight Watchers diet. Quite unlike the Flex Plan, one does not count calorie content of the food eaten in our meals. Instead, choices are made only from a group of wholesome nutritious foods which provide the requisite energy and nutrition.

The Core Plan food list has different types of food groups. Hence, it can not become monotonous at any stage. These groups include grains and starches; fruits and vegetables; eggs, and dairy products; lean meats, fish, and poultry. You might have noticed that all these items have a low calorie and fat content. If the variety still lacks something, then you are occasionally allowed to treat your self.

Is It Recommended?

By emphasizing on optimum nutrition, the Weight Watchers Diet seems to find acceptance with almost all health professionals. As a result, most of them recommend it to those who want to lose weight. However, experiences have shown that not everybody has liked it. Hence, you can give it a try and find for yourself whether it suits you or not.