How Do WW's Points Relate To Calories?

[Christine]

For instance, 24 points a day equals how many calories per day?

[MHopkins2]

Points are calculated basically as follows: calories / 50; plus 1 point for every 5 fat grams; minus 1 point for more than (3 or 5? can't remember) fiber grams. Having said that, some foods - which obviously have calories - are "freebies" with zero points. So 24 points is roughly 1200 calories if you eat relatively low fat, plus however many calories you're getting from zero point vegetables. If you eat relatively high fat, however, it can be a lot less calories.

[WebmasterKathy]

I built an Excel calculator for it. (I know- geek.)

50 calories = 1 point

12 fat grams = 1 point

1 fiber gram = -.2 points

(you can only count a max of 4 grams of fiber per serving, which would subtract .8 points)

If you'd like my Excel points calculator, PM me with your email address and I'll send it to you later. :)

[Christine]

Thanks! I'm not doing WW; however, I noticed there is a lot of website information that gives point values for eating out. I'm trying to get a ballpark as to what I should be eating.

I have about 10 lbs to lose. I think I was eating close to 3,500 calories per day. I've cut back to approximately 2,000 and I'm starving. I was looking at my points range for someone my weight and I think it is about 24 points. There is no way that I could survive on 1200 calories a day. Hopefully, I was reading that wrong.

[pixiedust23]

If you only have 10 lbs to lose, and you're used to eating 3500 calories you most likely have a high metabolism. The worst thing you could do is cut your calories down to 1200. You would slow your metabolism and you could ruin it forever! Your body willt hink it is starving! I could go into the biological reasoning for this (yea i am a dork too) but I will spare you the details.

Trust me I feel you on the whole 10 lbs issue. I'm trying to lose that annoying hang on your hips 10 lbs too. I recommend exercise, if you dont already!

[Lisa F]

If you have a 3500 calorie deficit per week you will lose about 1 lb/week. It's not gospel of course because it's hard to tell just how many calories you are burning, but if you maintain at 3500 calories a day then cutting back to 3000 calories a day should make you lose 1 lb/week, 2500 calories a day should make you lose 2 lbs/week etc.

You should also might want to reevaluate the quality of what you are eating. Unless you can seriously seriously pack away mega quantities of food, that 3500 calories I'm sure includes some calorie and fat dense stuff (try eating 3500 calories worth of fruits, veggies and lean proteins and you will explode!) If you replace some of that with equally filling but lower calorie items (ie replace fries with a salad or something) hopefully you will remain satisfied and won't feel like you are starving. I would also raise your calories back up to 2500 at least... 1-2 lbs is pretty much the maximum safe rate for weight loss, especially for someone with only 10 lb to lose.