Weight Watchers points plan or calorie counting? - Other Diet Plans - Diet Plans

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determined56
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Joined:	29 Jan 2009
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Posts:	17

Any opinions on these two approaches? Or pros and cons? I feel that it's easier to eat more without realising on the points plan, but its system considers fat intake more, whereas calorie counting would count a lot of calories in, say, fruit despite fat intake being low.

Nir
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Joined:	11 Jan 2006
Location:	Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom
Posts:	11761

Very broadly a point is 50 calories except that a food is more points (for the same calories) if it has more saturated fat but less calories if it is high in fibre, and then certain foods are zero points (green vegetables and certain condiments).

My sister is a believer in points, whilst I track (1) calories (2) protein (3) how healthy my diet is (what percentage of calories come from processed foods or animal products).

If I just tracked calories and didn't pay attention to protein and the health of the food I might be more tempted to eat lots of junk food, and the Weight Watchers point system, by having a slight bias against junk foods and a positive bias towards healthier foods, is a useful educational tool. However, I also see scope for the WW points system to be abused. For example using a points calculator (available from WW) to re-calculate points and figure out the biggest serving you can have without going up to the next points boundary, eating more calories by gorging on the 'free foods' etc. Counting points might be easier (because you're counting smaller numbers) but if your weight loss then stalls and you're trying to diagnose why this is, it is difficult to translate it to calories to see whether you're eating too many or not enough (other than using the rough estimate of 50 calories per point).

Obviously it is horses-for-coarses. That's why even WW has a number of different plans. The 'core' plan give you more unlimited foods and fewer points to spend on non-core foods. Some people just will not count, calories or points, but instead are prepared to completely eliminate foods (like bread, rice and pasta).

As long as it works, any method is good. If it doesn't work, use calorie counting to diagnose. I like the video on this page: http://www.burnthefatblog.com/archives/2008/12/the_measure_of_your_fat_loss_s.php

determined56
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Joined:	29 Jan 2009
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Thanks again for the help! The video worries me that I'm not being completely accurate with my calorie counting... perhaps points can be more helpful then? I hope that if I am eating less calories and doing more exercise (which I feel is the case) there will be a gradual weight loss.

Thank you very much for the advice

Nir
Senior Administrator

Joined:	11 Jan 2006
Location:	Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom
Posts:	11761

I think that weighing or measuring things accurately is still important for calorie dense foods, whether you're counting points or calories, as it impacts your deficit.

For example I Googled that 1/2 a cup of granola is (apparently) 4 points. So a cup is 8 points. If you're just using your eyes or a volume measurement you'd easily be able to dish yourself 5 points' worth of granola and only write down 4 points in your notebook. My point is that mistakes with calorie dense foods add up more quickly than with low calorie foods.

and yes with your other point, any gradual change to calories eaten and extra activity will yield some results if you've gone from a surplus to a deficit and for many people some progress with less fuss is mentally better than optimum progress with more fuss.

KristaK
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Joined:	3 May 2009
Location:	West Virginia USA
Posts:	165

I wanna try weight watchers myself.
I heard it's an excellent diet program.
I hope it works well for you - Determined56.

trobinson
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Joined:	2 Jun 2009
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I believe that points teach management, but you never gain an understanding of what calories and nutrition really are. Plain and simple it is energy to fuel a system. Some is good and some is bad, but with points you never learn the difference you are just managing points. If you want to learn to make smarter choices, you have to understand what nutrition really is. Check out the online nutrition journal at bodiesofdistinction.com

majestyseo
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Joined:	6 Oct 2010
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Posts:	1

Hi all

Calorie play an important role in a weight loose So Take a right calorie in your food and get a good health .

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I am looking for some strength training routines and this can only be possible by making a good routine. We have to eat green vegetables and fruits on a daily basis. So make a good routine to have strength in your body and will be away from high calories.

calotren
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Joined:	12 Jul 2011
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Good information and interesting discussion about weight loss factors. Now I think I can easily suggest my friends about weight loss.