All about ZeroPoint® foods
Here’s what distinguishes a ZeroPoint food from everything else in your fridge or pantry.
By WeightWatchers
Published October 21, 2021 | Updated December 14, 2022
Forget “zero” equaling “nothing.” With WeightWatchers, ZeroPoint foods are everything! These are the nutritious go-tos that have a Points value of zero. Consider them the staples that will help set you up for a healthy pattern of eating.
They’re (zero) heroes because:
- They can help you get to your goal. WW clinical trials show that you can eat ZeroPoint foods without weighing, tracking, or measuring and still lose weight, no matter which categories are on your personal list.
- They’re good for you. ZeroPoint foods were specifically chosen because the World Health Organization guidelines recommend eating them more frequently than other foods as part of a healthy pattern of eating. Oh, and they’re delicious!
- They’re tough to overeat. Sure, you could eat 12 bananas, but would you want to? Try sticking to your usual portion size (say, one banana) for starters. If you find yourself still hungry, have another one—you’ll soon figure out the right portion for you.
- They’re diverse. Use them as the base for creating a meal, pump up dishes by tossing in extra ZeroPoint foods, or reach for them at snack time to help you stay full and satisfied.
- They take into account if you are on the diabetes-tailored plan. WW’s science team and nutrition experts have curated a list of ZeroPoint™ foods specifically for people living with diabetes. Based on guidelines from the American Diabetes Association and International Diabetes Federation, the options consist of foods that are lower in carbohydrates and higher in fibre or protein, making them less likely to cause spikes in blood sugar. (That’s why fruit, dairy, and whole grains are not on the diabetes-specific ZeroPoint™ foods list, even though they are still part of a healthy diet).
What’s On the List?
- Beans, Peas & Lentils
- Poultry
- Corn & Popcorn
- Eggs
- Fish & Shellfish
- Fruits
- Non-Starchy Veggies
- Tofu & Tempeh
- Yogurt & Cottage Cheese
How to use ZeroPoint foods
Create a base: Start with a ZeroPoint food like eggs or lentils then add ingredients with Points to build out a meal.
Tame hunger: No matter how many Points you have to spend (or don’t) there’s always something to eat.
Pump up a dish: Toss ZeroPoint foods (veggies, beans, shrimp…) into recipes to add flavour and make meals more filling.