Weight Watchers Diet Review 2024: Everything You Need to Know

Author: Veruska Anconitano, Award-Winning Food Travel Journalist, Sommelier & Outdoor LoverAuthor information
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Veruska Anconitano
Veruska is a a food travel journalist with awards to her credit, such as World Best Food Travel Journalist. She holds a certification as a sommelier and she is also an ardent lover of the outdoors. Aside from this, Veruska is a Multilingual SEO and Localization Consultant and co-owns multiple websites that cater to a global audience.
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Are you debating on whether the Weight Watchers diet is right for you? Millions of men and women worldwide have found success in their weight loss journey from this lifestyle change, and there’s a possibility that you could as well. Before deciding if this diet is right or not for you, it’s important to educate yourself on all the information about Weight Watchers.

Weight Watchers has a long history of working and showcases their success. They have helped promote their diet plan by having big celebrities who have lost weight using the program lead the way. One of Weight Watchers’ biggest supporters is Oprah, who doesn’t hide her thoughts or feelings about how the diet has worked for her.

Not only are you likely to see commercials and magazine inserts all over the place promoting the ease and affordability of Weight Watchers, but you’ll also be able to monitor your own progress with ease.

Most people on the Weight Watcher’s diet like that they can still eat a lot of the foods they want and don’t worry about feeling restricted from various foods and drinks.

Just like with any other diet, there are things to know before starting. And this guide was created precisely for the purpose of giving you all the information you need to start the Weight Watchers Diet.

What is the Weight Watchers Diet?

While Weight Watchers is technically a diet program or diet system, it’s different than any other program out there. Weight Watchers is different because it focuses more on points rather than anything else. Every single type of food has a point associated with it. And depending on how much weight you’re trying to lose, you’re allotted so many points in a given day.

Started in 1963, Weight Watchers has been going strong for over 50 years. The diet was actually started by a housewife who had found success with this plan that she created herself. After that, she introduced it to others, and the diet phenomenon was born.

How does Weight Watchers Work?

When it comes to signing up and joining Weight Watchers, a few fees will accompany the diet program. Today, there are three different membership tiers and plans available to purchase and join.

1. Digital Weight Watchers

With this program, you’ll be monitoring your progress digitally. The cost is $4.03 per week and comes with the following features:

  • Food and Activity Tracking
  • Personalized goals
  • Community support through Weight Watchers
  • Available online Chat 24/7
  • Have the ability to sync your progress with your tracker of fitness
  • Exclusive content availability when released to program members.

2. Workshop & Digital

With this Weight Watchers membership selection, your cost will be $8.45 per week, and you’ll receive the following benefits:

  • Food and Activity Tracking
  • Personalized goals
  • Community support through Weight Watchers
  • Available online Chat 24/7
  • Have the ability to sync your progress with your tracker of fitness
  • Exclusive content availability when released to program members
  • Group Workshops that meet weekly
  • Help from Guidance Coaches
  • Check-ins weekly to determine progress
  • Printed Materials

3. Personal Coaching & Digital

The biggest membership is their Personal Coaching & Digital and costs $12.69 per week. If you join this membership, you’ll have access to:

  • Food and Activity Tracking
  • Personalized goals
  • Community support through Weight Watchers
  • Available online Chat 24/7
  • Have the ability to sync your progress with your tracker of fitness
  • Exclusive content availability when released to program members
  • Group Workshops that meet weekly
  • Help from Guidance Coaches
  • Check-ins weekly to determine progress
  • Printed Materials
  • A coach that you get to choose
  • Phone sessions, unlimited
  • Action Plans to help you succeed
  • Skill training personalized just for you.

Keep in mind that those Weight Watcher membership options are what they are offering currently and are subject to change at any point in time. The weekly prices do not include the price of food, either.

Read Also: The Noom Diet Review

Weight Watchers Points: the SmartPoints System

What makes Weight Watchers different is that every food or beverage has been given some point. And while it might seem like a lot to keep track of in the beginning, it really gets easier the longer you’re on the plan.

Once you eat your allotted points for the day, that’s it. Everyone on a diet will tell you that the success of how much weight you lose is truly up to you. Going over your points may happen here and there, but doing it all the time is really undermining your efforts on a diet.

In all reality, the entire reason that points are used is to help you understand how much food you should really be consuming daily.

1. How many Weight Watchers Points am I allowed daily?

The easiest way is to get the book or download the Weight Watchers app to help you track. Having that tool with you all the time is a great way to help you stay on track.

2. What happens if you don’t eat all your points in one day?

Weight Watchers believes in having a bit of flexibility. They’ve created a system that gives you the option to have 4 points roll over every day. And as long as you consume those points within that same week, you can add them in and eat them whenever you want.

It is nice to have flexibility because everyone has a point when they might go over their allotted points for the day. Knowing that you can shuffle around points for the week makes it easier to recoup and recover if this happens.

3. What are ZeroPoint foods?

Just because you’re on a diet doesn’t mean that you can’t actually eat anything. Weight Watchers understands this and has created what they call ZeroPoint food. And in reality, it’s just like it sounds.

Currently, they offer 200 foods that are “track-free,” meaning you can eat them, and they have no point value. This means that when you’re feeling hungry but don’t have any points left for the day or week, you can indulge in these ZeroPoint foods and not have to worry about making up for it later.

Here are some of the most popular ZeroPoint foods on the Weight Watchers diet:

  • Salmon
  • Eggs
  • Apples
  • Banana
  • Broccoli
  • Cabbage
  • Cranberries
  • Dates
  • Eggplant
  • Mushroom
  • Nori seaweed

And these are just a few. To see the entire list of ZeroPoint foods, check them out here.

While there are people out there who claim that you can eat unlimited portions with these food items, moderation is always a good idea in all things related to your diet.

Weight Watchers Food Allowed

What foods can you eat on Weight Watchers?

As mentioned above, any of the 200 foods on the ZeroPoint food list are allowed at any point in time. In addition to those food items, you can eat other food items that you want because everything has a point. What this means for you is that you don’t have to worry about feeling restricted on the diet because you literally don’t have to worry about cutting out a big chunk of the foods that you enjoy.

Instead of spending your time trying to find foods that are allowed, move forward to see how many points the food you want to eat is. The food you want to consume can be consumed more than likely, but it’s up to you to see just how many it will take away from your available daily points.

And in case you want a list of some foods that need to be on your radar, here are some that you should enjoy.

  • Non-fat yogurt
  • Fresh fruit and vegetables
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Oatmeal
  • Nuts
  • Avocado
  • Asparagus

(Again, this isn’t a full list, just a few more food items that you can enjoy.)

Read Also: The Atkins Diet Review

What foods can you not eat on Weight Watchers?

This is part of the catch (or perk) of the Weight Watchers diet. There are actually no foods that have to be completely avoided, but the focus of food consumption should be on food that is low in sugar and overly processed.

Some foods that you might want to remove from your eating habits could include:

  • Beef Jerky
  • Sugary Candy and drinks
  • Fried anything
  • Desserts like pies, cookies, cakes, and donuts
  • Diet drinks

As you can see, most diets would tell you that those types of foods aren’t a good idea. However, Weight Watchers isn’t telling you to cut them out but to work on moderation using the assigned points allotted.

If you’re worried that you might not be able to stop if you start eating less than healthy food, why even take the chance? You can eliminate any of those foods from your diet, so you don’t even have to worry about tracking the points.

What drinks can you not drink on Weight Watchers?

Not all drinks are considered the same. If you’re used to consuming high-calorie and high-sugar drinks, that is going to need to change.

Even though you “technically” can consume those types of beverages when you’re on the Weight Watchers diet, do you really want to use up all your points during the day on sugary beverages instead of food?

One other factor to keep in mind is that even though diet drinks might be considered low in terms of points, those types of drinks still aren’t the best fuel for your body.

Cut out sugary drinks, diet sodas, and overly processed beverages to see the best results in your new lifestyle.

What drinks can you drink on Weight Watchers?

As any person or doctor will tell you, water is still always the best bet. Not only does water help flush out the toxins that you might have consumed that day or week, but it also hydrates your body in a way that will continue to fuel and give you good energy.

If you decide that you’re wanting to drink more than just water, consuming these other beverages are allowed as well:

  • Non-alcoholic beverages
  • Sparkling water
  • Club Soda

Even juice and diet soda are considered “okay,” but again, they have points associated with them that you’re going to have to track. Like food, no beverages are totally off-limits, but some have a higher point count because of what is in them.

drinks in weight watchers

A Sample Weight Watchers Menu for One Week

Making a Weight Watchers menu for a week isn’t hard, but it does take a little bit of planning and preparing on your part. It’s a good idea to sit down one night and create your menu for the entire week. That way, you can plan and gather up the ingredients you need to hit the grocery store and not be tempted by anything that’s not on your list.

When you’re making your menu for the week, make certain to create one that will keep you on track and interested in staying on your healthy eating path. Bland meals and snacks will only make you want to stop before you even really get started.

You can’t go wrong by eating fresh foods and stocking up on the ZeroPoint foods mentioned above.

1. Monday

  • Breakfast: Egg omelet full of cheese and sausage
  • Lunch:Soup and salad
  • Snack: Hummus and celery
  • Dinner:Spaghetti

2. Tuesday

  • Breakfast:Oatmeal with cinnamon and raisins
  • Lunch:Chicken Egg Salad
  • Dinner:Shrimp and Rice
  • Snack: Sliced Apples and Cheese

3. Wednesday

  • Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs and Cheese
  • Lunch:Turkey wrap
  • Dinner:Stir Fry Veggies
  • Snack: Nuts

4. Thursday

  • Breakfast: Deviled Eggs
  • Lunch:Baked Salmon and Broccoli
  • Dinner: Veggie Burger
  • Snack: Peaches and Cottage Cheese

5. Friday

  • Breakfast: Hashbrowns and Sausage
  • Lunch:Shrimp and Quinoa
  • Dinner:Grilled Salmon and Veggies
  • Snack: Jello

You can either grill out on the BBQ or eat leftovers from the remainder of the week for the weekend days. As mentioned earlier, sprinkle in fresh fruit and vegetables throughout your day if you get hungry.

How much does Weight Watchers Diet cost?

This is one reason why many people tend to shy away from the Weight Watchers diet. Having a cost associated in addition to buying healthier foods makes it feel unattainable for many varying people.

The least expensive weight watchers diet costs just over $4 per week, and the most expensive membership option costs just over $12 per week.

If you’re looking at that every week, it doesn’t seem overly cumbersome. However, when looked at paying monthly, that amount obviously seems much higher.

How to Cancel Weight Watchers

You can cancel your Weight Watchers subscription online or by getting in touch with customer service. Based on your plan, you may be asked to pay a fee:

  • Multi-month Commitment Plans: an early termination fee applies if you cancel at any time before the end of the Commitment Plan period;
  • Pre-pay Savings Plans: the cancellation takes effect at the end of the initial plan period defined by the plan you purchased;
  • Standard one-month plans: cancellation takes effect at the end of the membership month in which you cancel.

How much should you exercise on Weight Watchers Diet?

To find success on the Weight Watchers diet, you’ve got to be willing to put in the exercise. This is actually the same in any diet.

Weight Watchers recommends about 30 minutes of moderate activity daily to stay on track with their eating and exercise plans. This is up to you and how you want to exercise but some simple ideas can be to:

  • Go for a walk
  • Take a hike
  • Jog around the block a few times
  • Do a workout video from home
  • Bicycle to and from work

And those are just a few of the ideas. Anything that you can do to get out and about and work your body, the better.

Weight Watcher Diet Exercise

What are the benefits of the Weight Watchers Diet?

The weight watchers diet is so popular that it has a wide variety of benefits.

1. You don’t really have to give up any certain food

As mentioned earlier, while you need to moderate and cut back on certain foods, nothing truly has to be off-limits. For people who struggle with moderation and quitting certain things, this benefits them and their lifestyle.

2. You have a huge support system worldwide

Millions of people around the world are going through or have gone through weight watchers. This means for those who are debating on joining because there is support from all around the world. Sometimes the hardest part about tackling a diet is the feeling that you’re doing this all on your own.

With the support of Weight Watchers, you’ll never have to worry about that.

3. There’s no special equipment that you need to purchase to start

If you decide that you want to start Weight Watchers, you can literally get started that very day. You don’t have to buy anything or worry about going somewhere else to participate in the program.

Knowing that you can do a diet program from the comfort of your own home is a huge benefit.

4. ZeroPoint foods are helpful for staying on track

It’s really great that 200 foods don’t cost any points. This is actually a big deal in helping you stay full and motivated for the diet.

What are the risks of the Weight Watchers diet?

Since this diet doesn’t have a lot of fads or “quick” fixes, there really aren’t a lot of risks associated with it. Some things to be aware of are this:

1. You have to be able to hold yourself accountable

Even though you might choose membership with guidance or a coach, you still have to hold yourself accountable for your own actions. Counting your points, eating right, and getting your exercise in are all going to weigh on your shoulders.

2. Counting points takes quite a bit of time

In the beginning, counting the points may feel like it’s a ton of work. And it’s true. It probably is. But after you do it for a while, you’ll get used to going through the motions and start to realize that counting the points really doesn’t take that long at all.

This is especially true if you get into a habit of eating certain foods over and over again. You’ll memorize the point values so that each time you’ll know exactly what they’re worth.

However, if you eat a ton of ZeroPoint foods, counting points isn’t even a concern.

3. You might pay money for a diet plan that doesn’t yield the results you were hoping for

There’s no way around the monthly fee. It costs that amount for everyone, and if you want to be a part of the Weight Watcher’s program, you have to pay the monthly fee.

However, keep in mind that if you don’t get the results you want, you might feel resentment in paying that monthly fee. Think of it as motivation to do your best, so you don’t feel like your money isn’t being put to good use.

Weight Watchers Program

Who is the Weight Watchers Program designed for?

The great part about this diet program is that it’s designed for a wide variety of ages in mind. The point system allows each person to eat how their body needs, and it’s not a one-size-fits-all method.

Also, since the exercise is left up to you, you have control over how you’re going to get in your 30 minutes of exercise daily.

No matter if you’re young or old, there are ways that you can tailor the membership program to suit your needs and wants. Make certain that you take the time to do your research to choose the best membership program for your lifestyle.

Weight Watchers Diet: is it worth it?

If you’re on the fence about the Weight Watcher’s program, make certain that you take the time and really educate yourself on how it can be beneficial to you. With all the thousands of happy success stories, it can be easy to see why this diet program has been going strong for over 50 years.

As long as you enter into the membership with a can-do attitude and the knowledge that you’re going to be paying a monthly fee, you’ll cross over the first hurdle with ease and be well on your way towards reaching your fitness and diet goals.

While the result of Weight Watchers isn’t to necessarily be physically fit, it is important to make certain that you’re incorporating exercise into your daily life.

Remember that the entire overall goal of Weight Watchers is to have you live a happy and healthy life and see that with limitations and moderation, you can still enjoy a lot of the things that you thought you’d have to cut out.

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