How to Calculate Points for Weight Watchers PointsPlus

Disclaimer: The team of Weight Watchers keeps updating the program, according to the requirements/feedback of their members. The program has been updated many times, the latest one being the Weight Watchers 360° program, which was unveiled on the 3rd of December, 2012. The program teaches members how to manage their food environment, claiming that we tend to eat what we see. It also guides people on ways to control their temptation, and to avoid pleasure eating. Weight Watchers has not increased their rates for this new approach, and all the meetings, eTools, and apps are included in the total fee.

The content in this article explains the Weight Watchers PointsPlus program in detail. The details of the current program are exclusively available to the paid members of Weight Watchers.

We all are aware of the Weight Watchers Points system, which is one of the most popular and effective weight loss programs. This unique weight loss program was launched in the year 1963. The original diet plan of Weight Watchers has been overhauled since November 2010. The registered name of this revamped version is Weight Watchers PointsPlus, while in the UK, it is known as Weight Watchers ProPoints. In order to make this diet plan more efficient, many things including the Weight Watchers Points formula are reworked. However, it is important to understand that newer version still focuses on losing weight by creating calorie deficit in the daily diet. According to the creators, you need to create daily deficit of 1,000 calories to lose weight. Now, how to calculate the points for Weight Watchers PointsPlus? Similar to original program, they also have a special formula which is used for counting the daily points allowance. Here is an article that tells you more about counting points for Weight Watcher PointsPlus and planning your way for a healthy weight loss.

Weight Watchers PointsPlus Program
Before learning more about the new formula, we need to find out more about the changes in points tally system of Weight Watchers. While counting points in the original points program, they considered calories, fiber grams and fat grams, along with weight, height, age and activity levels of a person. In the revamped formula, they do not count the calories but they count the proteins instead. This is a revolutionary move that separates both old and new Weight Watchers weight loss programs. Additionally, they have increased the number of 'zero points foods', which are the foods with no points at all. The creators came to know that people were substituting healthy foods for foods with low Weight Watchers points. As a result, healthy foods like whole grains, fruits and most of vegetables have zero points in the PointsPlus program. As a result, the dieters can include as many as fruits and vegetables in their planned diet. On the other hands, foods that were likely to be too heavy, (like wine) now have doubled points.

They have also increased the number of bonus points and activity points. For instance, the dieters get a weekly bonus of 49 points which they can divide into any combination that they want. Quite similar to the original points system, PointsPlus program also provide activity points. For instance, the ideal ratio of calorie consumption and physical activities is maintained, then 1 activity point is given to every 70 expended calories. It also gives 1 point for every food which has approximately 35 calories. Now, a bit about learning how to calculate new weight watchers PointsPlus program. It is important to understand that any formula or calculations which are available on the web, aside of the official Weight Watchers websites are frowned upon by the promoters. It is also the reason why original Weight Watchers PointsPlus formula is strictly under the registered US patent and trademark laws. However, in order to get a general idea, you can refer to a few formulas. Along with activity points, there are two main formulae which are considered for counting the points.

Weight Watchers PointsPlus Formula
As I said earlier, there are two mains formulae which are considered for counting the points. One of them is for the food values and the second one is for the foods with alcohol and sugar alcohol. Here are the examples of how these formulas may look like:

Food Values
When it comes to counting points allowance for Weight Watchers, you need to divide its protein content by 10 (Protein/10.94), carbohydrates by 9 (Carbohydrates/9.17), fats by 3 (Fat/3.89) and fiber by 12 (Fiber/12.49). You need to add values of protein, carbohydrates and fats and subtract the amount of fiber from it. Here is how the formula may look like:

PointsPlus = Protein/10.94 + Carbohydrates/9.17 + Fat/3.89 - Fiber/12.49

Foods with Alcohol
When it comes to counting points allowance for Weight Watchers, you need to divide its protein content by 10 (Protein/10.94), carbohydrates by 9 (Carbohydrates/9.17), fats by 3 (Fat/3.89), fiber by 12 (Fiber/12.49), alcohol by 3 and sugar alcohol by 23. You need to add values of protein, carbohydrates and fats and subtract the amount of fiber in it. Add the amount of alcohol to the sum and subtract the entire amount by the values of sugar alcohol. Here is how the formula may look like:

PointsPlus = Protein/10.94 + Carbohydrates/9.17 + Fat/3.89 - Fiber/12.49 + Alcohol/3 - Sugar Alcohol/23

There is one more thing that you need to learn, when it comes to calculating points for Weight Watchers PointsPlus. The above mentioned formula is not the accurate formula for the PointsPlus. If you want to follow this weight loss plan, then there are three ways that you can use for that. First one is to get the published books of Weight Watchers which contain detailed explanation of the PointsPlus values, call the Weight Watchers and arrange an appointment or online subscription. The last and ideal way is to purchase the calculator which is available on the market. It costs somewhere around USD 12. However, it is always important to understand that you need to have the official membership of Weight Watchers, so that you can achieve maximum benefits from this diet plan.

Learning how to calculate the points for Weight Watchers PointsPlus is fruitless if you don't have official membership for Weight Watchers. One also needs to understand that the information which is provided in the above article is just for the sake of a better comprehension. If you do wish to follow this diet plan, then you need to contact Weight Watchers as well as your health care provider first.

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