There’s lots to cover about our program, but let’s start here: It emphasizes overall diet quality, not particular foods—and no food or drink is off-limits. Instead, consistent with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, it’s designed to guide members toward a healthier pattern of eating and promote a healthy rate of weight loss.
As they live the WeightWatchers Program, members are encouraged to choose foods higher in fiber, protein, and unsaturated fats and lower in added sugar and saturated fat. We also know that success goes beyond the scale, so members can also add Points® for activity.
The science behind the Points formula
WeightWatchers makes healthy eating simple by boiling complex nutritional information down to one easy-to-understand number—a Points value—so members can just eat and track.
Here’s a look at how our updated food algorithm calculates a food’s Points value:
- Calories are factored into an item's Points value.
Added sugar increases the Points value.
- Our program focuses on added sugar instead of total sugar because the type of sugar makes a difference. Many foods with naturally occurring sugar can be part of a healthy pattern of eating, like fruit and non-fat dairy; however, foods packed with added sugars are typically less nutritious and eating too much of them can have a negative impact on overall diet quality and weight.1 2
- Independent of weight loss, reducing intake of added sugar reduces the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and dental cavities.3
Saturated fat increases the Points value, while unsaturated fat lowers the Points value.
- Fats are an essential part of any diet, but not all fats are created equal. A healthy pattern of eating is often higher in unsaturated fats and lower in saturated fats.4 Eating less saturated fat is associated with reduced total cholesterol and LDL, and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.4 What’s more: Replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease.5
Protein lowers the Points value.
- Research shows that protein intake supports a weight-loss journey by promoting changes in body composition and preventing the loss of lean body mass.6 It’s also associated with improved weight loss mantainence.7
- Independent of weight loss, increasing intake of protein helps individuals feel more satisfied (compared to fats and carbohydrates).3
Fiber lowers the Points value.
- Fiber-rich foods are nutrient dense, meaning they contain additional vitamins and minerals that are important for good health.4 Research shows that eating more fiber is associated with lower cholesterol, a lowered risk for heart disease, decreased risk for type 2 diabetes, and improved digestive health.8 Fiber consumption is also associated with increased feelings of satisfaction and satiety.9
How members use Points
When a member joins WeightWatchers, they answer a few questions, and then they’re given a customized Points Budget along with a ZeroPoint™ foods list—foods that they don’t need to weigh, measure, or track. Members can use their PersonalPoints Budget on any food or drink.
The calculation for each member’s Budget is rooted in the most accurate energy-requirement prediction model available—the Mifflin-St Jeor equation—taking into account their metabolic rate, as determined by their age, sex assigned at birth, height, and weight, and adjusted based on whether the member wants to lose or maintain weight.
ZeroPoint Foods
ZeroPoint foods are nutrient-, vitamin-, and mineral-packed, and because of this, they’re recommended by national and international guidelines (including WHO) to be consumed often as part of a healthy pattern of eating.
To encourage members to continue reaching for them often, they don’t have to weigh, measure, or track their ZeroPoint foods. This gives members freedom when building meals and snacks along with the flexibility to have satisfying meals no matter how the day or week went.
Adding Points
Members can also add Points by moving more: Any physical activity ups their weekly Budget.