How Can Fruit be "Free" on Weight Watchers

thelovelyLIZ

From my understanding, Weight Watches is not just another calorie counting method. Part of the goal is to guide you to making proper eating choices, and their point system plays into that. If you're trying to stay under your point for the day, you're much more liked to have that 0 point apple for a snack rather than that 4 point bag of potato chips or 6 point piece of cake. Since fruit is low calorie and full of good nutrients, eating it daily seldom has a big impact on a person's weight loss progress.

Weight Watchers really focuses less on a calorie is a calorie and more on the nutrition in the food, which is how healthy eating should be.

lindsaymo34

I disagree. I worked out at the gym 5-6 days a week while I was a member of Weight Watchers. Not every WW member chooses to not exercise, most do. Perhaps your meeting just wasn't a good fit for you. I didn't like all the meetings I went to and some were better then others. Plus, I'm sure there are plenty of people on MFP (or any WL program) who choose not to exercise.

I was on WW and lost weight, but it was only in the first few weeks when I was eating better. At one of the meetings I met a woman who told me that she lost 45 pounds.. I was thrilled until she told me it took her a year to do it. I thought 45 pounds in a year isn't good enough for me. That is too long. I also noticed all the women including the leader was a mound of flab. Yes they were losing but not exercising so they were turning into flubb.. Very unappealing to me.

Also I noticed exercise isn't mentioned at all, except in passing. I think WW is more for people who can't or won't execise and just want the number on the scale to be lower.. People who want true fitness won't settle for WW....

thelovelyLIZ

Frut is a carbs and will not help you lose weight if you fill up on Carbs all day. Its not always about how much you eat its more about what you eat.

Vegetables are "carbs" too....

And before anyone says "But fruit has sugar!" so does milk and a lot of vegetables, and yet I never hear anyone telling you to stop eating those.

lamerek

Well, I used WW (the new Points Plus system) to lose 75+ pounds in about a year, and so I can tell you how it worked for me...

Since using MFP for the past few weeks (I am a runner and wanted to know how my carbs/protein/fat were distributed b/c WW doesn't tell you this), my daily PP allowance (I'm on maintenance now) is 32, which I've figured out is fewer overall average calories per day than the approximately 1790 calories MFP says I should be eating to maintain my weight. So, the servings of fruit and vegetables I consume (to get in my 5 servings—or more—of fruits and vegetables per WW's Good Health Guidelines) are calories that can add up to the 1790 (or so) MFP says I need. In other words, the PP system doesn't make you count fruits and veg because they account for those calories/sugars/carbs in their system.

FYI, Points Plus are not calculated based on calories at all. The calculators use fat, carbs, fiber, and protein to calculate PP. I've learned that if your food contains more fiber it will be lower in PP. But, the system does (sort of) penalize high carb foods (even if low in fat), like candy (all carbs and sugar, no protein, fiber, and oftentimes little fat—like Twizzlers).

I've got many WW friends who plateaued just before hitting goal and they found they had to start reducing their fruit intake, or at least monitoring it better/ more closely.

Overall, the "new" PP system rewards you for choosing fruit over a processed treat. Before a banana and a 100 calorie pack of something were the same number of points. Now, the banana is "free" but the 100 calorie pack is gonna cost you 3 to 4 PP values based on the item's nutritional content. This is why it worked for me—I learned I could eat more, when hungry of course, and still lose weight when I included fresh fruits and veg.

I know the WW system doesn't tend to work for folks that eat almost entirely and plant-based diet (e.g. gluten free, folks with tons of allergies). Thankfully that's not me. Their system taught me to eat better foods, and I slowly transformed my lifestyle. It's not for everyone, but don't bash it until you've tried it. MFP doesn't work for everyone either. A weight loss plan that results in lasting, long-term lifestyle changes for YOU is what's best for you.

FYI, currently I eat 32 daily WW Points Plus, eat all my allotted weekly points (49), and at least half (if not all) of my weekly average of activity points earned (currently I earn about 35+ a week). What I like about the system is that it's flexible. If I exercise a lot one day I can "bank" points (e.g. calories), or I can indulge one day with my weekly points, but still stay in a range (for the week) that allows me to maintain my weight.

What I don't like about the system is that b/c I did the whole process online I can never get the benefits of free lifetime membership (BOO!). I also wish the system broke down my protein/fat/carb ratios, as this is increasingly important as I train for future races (half marathon, etc.). What I like about MFP is that its free (Woot!), easy to use, and shows my nutrition (great data!). What I don't like about MFP is that it doesn't naturally allow for the flexibility in eating from day to day. If you never indulge it's great. But who does that? I go over my caloric intake regularly (once or twice a week), but am still at a weekly defecit due to exercise. So, overall it *feels* like it's penalizing me, even though I'm doing a great job over a course of a week.

For now I'm using both the WW system and the MFP system. Don't know if I'll ditch one for the other eventually or not. Time will tell. Right now I love my online WW support community, and am building a community here, too.

My two cents!
Kate.

rml_16

Frut is a carbs and will not help you lose weight if you fill up on Carbs all day. Its not always about how much you eat its more about what you eat.

Vegetables are "carbs" too....

And before anyone says "But fruit has sugar!" so does milk and a lot of vegetables, and yet I never hear anyone telling you to stop eating those.

I trust no one who tells me fruit is bad or will hinder weight loss (if eaten within reason).

I eat fruit daily. I ate five servings a day in my smoothie when I did WW before (but counted the points for it then) and lost an average of almost 2 pounds per week and dropped three sizes fairly quickly.

My issue with the free fruit is those calories really do add up and it's very easy to go over your calories for the day eating too much. You may not be able to eat 17 apples a day, but a couple bananas, an apple and some berries and you're at 300-500 calories you didn't count.

So, I'm all for eating fruit, but count it.

ChgingMe

I disagree. I worked out at the gym 5-6 days a week while I was a member of Weight Watchers. Not every WW member chooses to not exercise, most do. Perhaps your meeting just wasn't a good fit for you. I didn't like all the meetings I went to and some were better then others. Plus, I'm sure there are plenty of people on MFP (or any WL program) who choose not to exercise.

I was on WW and lost weight, but it was only in the first few weeks when I was eating better. At one of the meetings I met a woman who told me that she lost 45 pounds.. I was thrilled until she told me it took her a year to do it. I thought 45 pounds in a year isn't good enough for me. That is too long. I also noticed all the women including the leader was a mound of flab. Yes they were losing but not exercising so they were turning into flubb.. Very unappealing to me.

Also I noticed exercise isn't mentioned at all, except in passing. I think WW is more for people who can't or won't execise and just want the number on the scale to be lower.. People who want true fitness won't settle for WW....

Good for you to be exercising while doing the plan, but in my experience with WW that was not the norm. Quite the contrary. It was more about points and food choices. They seemed to really be pushing the boxed processed foods. Not only theirs but others. I didn't know any better until I joined MFP and started reading the threads about healthy eating... I have a ton of WW food in my pantry. I won't even put that junk in my body anymore

rml_16

I disagree. I worked out at the gym 5-6 days a week while I was a member of Weight Watchers. Not every WW member chooses to not exercise, most do. Perhaps your meeting just wasn't a good fit for you. I didn't like all the meetings I went to and some were better then others. Plus, I'm sure there are plenty of people on MFP (or any WL program) who choose not to exercise.

I was on WW and lost weight, but it was only in the first few weeks when I was eating better. At one of the meetings I met a woman who told me that she lost 45 pounds.. I was thrilled until she told me it took her a year to do it. I thought 45 pounds in a year isn't good enough for me. That is too long. I also noticed all the women including the leader was a mound of flab. Yes they were losing but not exercising so they were turning into flubb.. Very unappealing to me.

Also I noticed exercise isn't mentioned at all, except in passing. I think WW is more for people who can't or won't execise and just want the number on the scale to be lower.. People who want true fitness won't settle for WW....

Good for you to be exercising while doing the plan, but in my experience with WW that was not the norm. Quite the contrary. It was more about points and food choices. They seemed to really be pushing the boxed processed foods. Not only theirs but others. I didn't know any better until I joined MFP and started reading the threads about healthy eating... I have a ton of WW food in my pantry. I won't even put that junk in my body anymore

I did WW and also exercised. What do you think activity points are about? I know a lot of people who did WW and they all exercised while on the plan. Not everyone, but most. And not everyone on MFP exercises, either. People counting calories will also try to get as much bang for their calorie buck as those counting points.

If it wasn't for you, then that's fine. But you don't actually understand the program.

Moxie42

The way for my former WW-leader put it- "None of us got here by eating too many bananas and carrots."

mcarter99

WW is a large organization that employs a whole team of nutritional scientists and other specialists to make their plans, and they've been at this worldwide for 60+ years. MFP was put together by a guy with no specialized training in any of this. I'm not saying just calorie counting is bad but it's hard to argue it's any 'smarter'.

patchesgizmo

that's why after a month and a half I quit WW and came here full time. That I can track my sodium here where WW does not track to that level.

cmurray234

I didn't have any trouble with WW not counting fruit points....and I eat a LOT of fruit too. My issue is that their food database is lousy.

I still eat a lot of fruit -- at least one thing at every meal, but often more than that. I can easily eat 2 cups of cantaloupe with dinner without blinking. I'm happy to count it because it's a treat to me. I LIKE to eat fruit.

I don't like vegetables as much, but they're so low in calories they rarely make a noticeable dent in my daily totals. And all of that fiber fills me up.

swingingmonkey

actually my mom is on the weight watchers program with the points. shes lost over 125 lbs with it

Janet1042

Sigh. I think the free fruit is one of the reasons the new points plus system didn't work for me. I did great on the previous system. Veggies were pretty much free on the previous system and fruits were still pretty low points. That seemed to be enough to steer me towards them in the right quanities. I lost over 45 pounds on that system, in fact. Once the free fruit kicked in I struggled. Perhaps it's tougher to handle those free fruit points while on Maintenance? Loving the MFP system and it's giant database. Mostly using it to stick at my goal weight and I think counting ALL calories is necessary for that.

judypriv

[/qoute] Big time marketing indeed. Have you seen how they push all those unhealthy candy bars on their members, and at ridiculous prices too. There are so many cheaper, healthier snack options (many involving chocolate) out there (e.g., Luna bars, Kashi bars, Clif bars, Balance bars, etc.)
[/quote]

^^^ That's why I didn't go back. I did WW in 2004 and lost 40 lbs in about 8 months. Awesome and I had better success then I have am now ( but I am 8 years older and three kids later) BUT when I returned to WW I couldn't stand the meetings anymore and the high pressure selling. All they meeting consisted of was trying to get people to buy the spoons, the candy bars, the shake packets, etc. It made me mad that they were pushing you to buy a $ 30.00 scale when you can get a similar scale at Walmart for $ 5.00. I also got annoyed at the time sent clapping for weight lost. What if you lost 2 lbs but 10 inches or stopped using sugar all the time, etc. No NSV at WW.

Back to topic, when i did it fruit was usually 1 pt each. Seemed reasonable.

FammaMel

I always wondered that and knew it just didn't make sense. Then again, since joining MFP, I constantly wonder why WW never taught me about my BMR or TDEE and, further why didn't they tell me I should be eating my activity points. I have friends who swear by it... but I also notice how every couple of years they are re-joining. Personally, I want to make this my lifetime commitment to being overall healthy without the added costs. ; )

WhitneyT586

And this topic is one of the big reasons I ultimately quit WW and joined MFP. I stopped losing on WW because my calories in were no longer less than my calories out on the new system. I was so comfortable with the old system that I never could get my brain or my body in tune with the new version. So I stopped paying them to tell me what I already knew and started putting into practice what WW taught me about portion control and journaling and strategy. Don't know how bananas can be free when they are at least 100 calories! Makes no sense.

GaryRussell123456

I found a site which provides the formula they use to calculate your daily allowance. They deduct 11 points from the result. I can only conclude that 7 points goes towards your weekly 49 extra points and the remaining 4 are for fruit/veg. 4 points is approximately 160 calories so that is what they have allowed for.

dick01

thank you for asking the same question which is bugging my mind. I am following point system and yet on mfp I am eating too many carbs and lots of sugar since I am vegetarian and eat a lot of fruit and veg. Wonder if MFP can show us the point system too. **** 01

gingerCE

I think it is about finding a plan that works for you not temporarily, but something that you can commit to long-term, because weight loss is a lifestyle. For some WW is better or MFP is better, personally I like doing both. This June, a group of my family decided it was time to lose the weight--so I have family members who are only doing WW and others only doing MFP, but I am the only one doing both programs (online--I don't go to meetings) and all of us are losing. (I have lost over 8 lbs since joining WW but my tracker only shows what i have lost since joining MFP.)

I eat a lot of fruit, and don't think twice about not eating it. This may not work for everyone, but it works for me--mainly because fruit substitutes the crackers I usually ate. I don't eat til I'm stuffed but I am a munchies gal so fruit has become my munchie of choice.

I track my fruit on MFP and my calories are usually within 100 of my goal--and my points are usually within 3-4 pts of my goal, so for me, they tend to even out.

I used to not eat as much fruit because I thought it would go bad or the cost, but I now buy in bulk at Costco (going to try and get at farmer's markets) and I have not had a problem with fruit being wasted. As for the cost, I saw a documentary on HBO (weight of a nation) and I never realized that fruits and vegetables have the lowest profit margins for grocery stores--fresh produce have some of the lowest mark up of what it actually costs, while the profit margins on soda were incredibly high.

mcarter99

I always wondered that and knew it just didn't make sense. Then again, since joining MFP, I constantly wonder why WW never taught me about my BMR or TDEE and, further why didn't they tell me I should be eating my activity points. I have friends who swear by it... but I also notice how every couple of years they are re-joining. Personally, I want to make this my lifetime commitment to being overall healthy without the added costs. ; )

WW says eat back your APs if you want, up to 4 a day. And even those are calced so if you eat them all, you're only eating about half the calories you racked up. There is no medical (or otherwise) reason to 'eat back' exercise expenditure, if you're trying to lose weight. I've never seen it in any diet plan besides this one, and I've read a lot of them. The closest I've seen is 'don't aim to lose more than 2 lbs/week', which is I think MFP's justification for it. But most of us wouldn't be losing 2 lbs/week with MFP's 1200 floor, so it's moot.

BMR is terribly misunderstood here. WW aims to simplify things. They look at your caloric needs in their points calc, when deciding how many you should eat per day.