Weight watchers with non-diet food

[GusGus77]

Ok, let me explain. My family is focused on trying eat foods that our ancestors would have recognized. We use homemade bread and whole grains, no margarine, full-fat dairy (or 2% but never no fat), no food dyes, etc. I like that weight watchers gives you the freedom to eat every day foods, but everyone I know on it eats special low-carb items, no fat cheese, special margarine, diet drinks etc. because they are less points. I don't believe that eating these types of modified food products are healthy for your body and I don't want to buy different types of the same products for the kids as I want them to eat the same food we are. (I know some people believe diet foods are just as healthy and good for you, and I respect that, it is just not how my family lives. Let's try not to debate if these foods are healthy or not.) Is it possible to be successful (and remain full!) on weight watchers without eating all these diet-type foods? I would like to try it as would my husband, but I want to remain eating "real" food rather than things that have been modified. Has anyone done this? Thanks!

Also, is everyone on weight watchers always so point focused and obsessed? The last two times my parents and other extended family members are at our house, all I hear about are points!

 

[Chikabowa]

Is it possible to be successful (and remain full!) on weight watchers without eating all these diet-type foods?

The weight watchers mathematical system of points is heavily biased towards a low/no fat diet. My answer to your question is no.

I had some success on weight watchers prior to what I call my Real weight issue. I lost 39lbs, plateaued and never saw any true movement from there. I regained that 39lbs + 80lbs after having kids and some subsequent weight issues.

I've completely reformed my belief on food and the practice of weight loss over the last couple of years. I truly do not believe in a low fat diet (fat becomes what makes you feel full and satisfies the appetite) and I do not believe in the processed foods that weight watchers promotes. Ive lost more than 110lbs with a diet that is heavy with vegetables, fats, proteins, and fruit. They have a vested interest in keeping you only semi-successful and to keep buying the food they (and their marketing partners) sell.

You'll find many who subscribe to the program and I'll be the lone voice in the woods.

Side note... You sound like you subscribe to the paleo diet which is what I follow. PM me if you'd like to talk further.

 

[Lorelei Lee]

Yes it is very possible to follow Weight Watchers without eating processed foods.

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[HeatherC]

Weight Watchers is a great program that can totally be done without buying "diet" or specialty foods.

The emphasis is on eating a balanced diet with portion control.

They require you to have so many servings of fruit and veggies a day, healthy fats, dairy for calcium.

An example of a typical day for me on WW is

Breakfast...Greek Yogurt and Fruit or Scrambled Egg and Whole Grain Toast with 2 tsp of olive oil.

Lunch...big salad with shrimp or chicken or turkey. Or a sandwich with turkey or ham, lettuce, tomato, avacado, etc.

Dinner...baked potato, veggies, lean steak. Or grilled fish with roasted vegetables. Or soup and salad.

No processed or prepackaged items there. People buy the WW products for convenience. but totally not necessary.

After a while, you learn which foods you can have more of for less points. If done correctly, you can eat a lot and still feel satisfied.

Hope this helps!

 

[CuteAndFluffy]

Disclaimer: i think Weight Watchers is great for a lot of people and does a lot to teach healthy and responsible eating.

that being said: I think it's really difficult to lose weight on Weight Watchers if you are doing a whole foods diet like you describe. Possible, but difficult.

I found it disheartening how much of the focus was on fakey foods. Not just in the products they promote, but as part of the culture and chit chat. So much of the points system is based on values for commercial products, you'd have to figure out points for every recipe you make--for the average person, no big deal, but for you it might be A LOT of work.

The biggest thing for me is some hormonal imbalances that hinder weight loss and respond better to a higher fat/paleo/primal way of eating. If I were to eat like this on a points based plan, I would be starving all the time because I could easily use all my points up at breakfast. Since switching to primal, my weight has been slowly and steadily dropping. I eat a ton of veggies and meat and fish. a little bit of fruit, some nuts here and there, and an occasional homemade treat. But I would easily be off the charts for points because of the butter/bacon/almonds that keep me gratified when my salad just won't cut it.

 

[Mokat76]

Weight Watchers is a program that works successfully for many people but not all. Only you can judge if it will work for you but based on what you're describing about how you want to eat it may not be right for you.

As for your question about members being points-focused, of course they are. WW is based on a points system. Everything you eat has a points value assigned. You have to live within your points values to succeed on the program. That's neither good nor bad. It's merely the reality of the program.

And I respectfully but completely disagree with the PP who implies you must eat their products or processed foods to succeed. That's simply not true. Yes, they sell and promote products but they make it quite easy to calculate points values of "real" foods. I do eat some frozen meals when things get hectic but mostly I prepare my own food. It is completely possible to do WW without ever eating a WW product. It takes some effort, but what program doesn't?

ultimately the success or failure of any program is completely the responsibility of the user. Only that person can decide what will work.

 

[ilovevacation]

Hi. I don't want to debate also but i want to say that i strongly believe in ww. I work in heath care so although i am not overweight i chose to do it to get off those 10lb for heart disease prevention. I tried to cut calories and fats on my own and didn't make any strides. I have not gone to any meetings so maybe i don't feel the push for all of the fake products. I do not eat processed food the majority of the time. Just like heatherC. It's yogurt, fruit, salad, homemade soups, sandwich, lean protein and lots of fruit and veggies. Of o want cheese i eat it, same with ice cream, etc...you just make room in your points. I have dropped down to 115lb. I am a believer and i don't consider dieting, it's just healthy eating. I will admit i was a little obsessed when i started, l just like anything new it's hard to get a handle on, especially when you didn't prepare it. Now that i am six months in, i can guesstimate things will and i am not phased.

I hope you can find something that will suit your personal choices and you get results. Good luck!

 

[vicki_c]

You don't have to do points with WW. They have another approach (I'm forgetting the name right now) where you focus only the types of foods you eat (mainly veggies and fruits, lean meats, etc) and you don't count points at all. I think more people like the points because then they still get to eat some junk-type foods and don't have to restrict what they are eating, only how much.

 

[aylarosie]

Hi ,yes WW will work without ever eating a food you don't want to. There is another component to WW called filling foods.They are made up of non-prossesd foods such as oatmeal ,fruits ,veggies . Protien such as chicken fish beef ect.On that plan you are encouraged to choose an appropriate serving size and go from there.You still have 49 points to use for condiments ,treats ,butter ect. The regular program has most fruits and vegtables at 0 points value leaving the rest of the daily target to be counted.Its pretty easy once you know the points value of your normal meals ---bread ,pasta, ect you work around it. The WW leaders say that the reason for haveing so many choices is that its supposed to be a lifestyle and you should be able to enjoy what you want and still loose weight. I lost 70 lbs a few years ago on a stricker diet program it took just 5 months but within a year I had gained it all back.Once I was eating "real"food I chose wrong. Now I am back to WW and loosing slow but consistantly and enjoying life more. Good luck Nan

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

Weight watchers have a list of items that are considered power foods. These food are low in points but high in the filling factor. Most power foods are fruit and vegetables, milk (even milk with fat), eggs and beans.

If you build your meals around the power foods then you should be fine. If you are eating non power foods or food with a higher fat content then you just have to watch your portion sizes.

When I first started out on weight watchers they gave me a daily point allotment that I actually had a hard time eating every day. I eat mainly power foods on a daily basis, so my total points eaten was coming out at a lower number than my allotment and I very rarely had to touch my extra 49 points. My points allotment has gotten lower since then but there are still days I have to work hard to eat my full points.

I have been on the program for 5 months now and have lost almost 50 pounds and my numbers at the doctor have gotten much, much better.

 

[Poohforyou]

You can easily do WW without eating diet food. I did WW once and was very successful. I loved for instance that for a snack I could have a small amount of hummus(4 points worth) and tons of vegetables to dip into it. I actually ate a ton more vegetables on WW because they were free points. I also always had hard boiled eggs in the fridge and was pretty much the only one that ate them.

I did buy things like thin sliced bread for sandwiches because it was less calories. It's regular bread but 2 slices of it equal about 1 slice from a regular loaf. I did sometimes have a 100 calorie snack pack as a treat but keeping a box of those in the house wasn't a big deal.

All in all I pretty much ate what my family ate but just in a smaller portion or would omit something altogether from my plate.

 

[mhsjax]

Weight watchers have a list of items that are considered power foods. These food are low in points but high in the filling factor. Most power foods are fruit and vegetables, milk (even milk with fat), eggs and beans.

If you build your meals around the power foods then you should be fine. If you are eating non power foods or food with a higher fat content then you just have to watch your portion sizes.

When I first started out on weight watchers they gave me a daily point allotment that I actually had a hard time eating every day. I eat mainly power foods on a daily basis, so my total points eaten was coming out at a lower number than my allotment and I very rarely had to touch my extra 49 points. My points allotment has gotten lower since then but there are still days I have to work hard to eat my full points.


I have been on the program for 5 months now and have lost almost 50 pounds and my numbers at the doctor have gotten much, much better.

Ok, I have a question and I really am wanting to know. I hear people, not a lot but some, talk about how they have trouble eating their points for the day. I do find it very hard to believe that if you can't eat anymore than those points without being full, you wouldn't be over weight to begin with, unless maybe you have a really, really, really slow metabolism.

I don't do WW anymore, but I have, and I drop weight like crazy eating only my points. I starve, but the weight falls off. So I guess I just don't see how people say that they can't eat them all. Maybe my metabolism is just very high. I really am curious and I am not trying to be mean about it, I just don't get it, I really don't.

 

[Tinkermommy]

Ok, I have a question and I really am wanting to know. I hear people, not a lot but some, talk about how they have trouble eating their points for the day. I do find it very hard to believe that if you can't eat anymore than those points without being full, you wouldn't be over weight to begin with, unless maybe you have a really, really, really slow metabolism.

I don't do WW anymore, but I have, and I drop weight like crazy eating only my points. I starve, but the weight falls off. So I guess I just don't see how people say that they can't eat them all. Maybe my metabolism is just very high. I really am curious and I am not trying to be mean about it, I just don't get it, I really don't.

For me, WW changed how much and what I eat. So for instance, I used to eat scrambled eggs and toast for breakfast. That's about 6 points. Now I eat egg whites and still have a piece of toast and thats 3 points. Plus I now eat fruit with breakfast everyday. Just as filling, has all the same protein and a half the points.

OP, I never buy WW foods. I eat real foods. What has changed on WW is I control my portion size for higher fat/calorie foods and I am eating a lot more fruit and vegetables.

The main thing is you will have to change something. Either eating less, exercising more, or eating different (not processed) foods. Good luck.

 

[Mokat76]

In my case I was way overweight because I ate junk only. I had so many points that when I started eating consciously according to the WW plan I honestly had a hard time getting all the points in. Mainly I added a lot of fruits and veggies so all those free foods filled me up and I'd find myself at the end of the day with lots of points to try to get in. That's not as true now but I'm not having too much trouble staying on track. Yeah I get hungry sometimes but never starving. Most fruit and veggies are free if I hit that point.

 

[LilyWDW]

Why don't you just count calories instead of doing some program? Join a site like My Fitness Pal and just count your calories and keep track of your macros. However, I do suggest you find "In Place of a Road Map" on My Fitness Pal instead of using the automatic settings. Often the automatic settings will set your calories below your BMR which is unhealthy in the long run.

The reason I prefer MFP is because it doesn't push any sort of eating. It is very easy to do and makes you look at things besides calories. You are not made to feel "bad" about your food choices. I would NEVER eat just egg whites because all the healthy fat, most of the micros, and almost half the protein is in the yolk. I just account for it in my calories! No hassle!

If you do decide to do MFP then message me and I can help you set it up.

 

[Mokat76]

I do WW and I'm never made to feel "bad" about any choice I make. If it fits within my points I can eat it. What it does for me is keep mindful of my limits. As I said before, each of us needs to choose what works for us. I know my personality and I know I need the accountability of a structured program. One isn't better than another. They're just different choices.

 

[cassandrap83]

The goals of weight watchers are different than those of an all-natural/clean diet. So, IMO you really cannot do both.

Stick to your current eating lifestyle and watch your potions. You do not need weight watchers.

 

[hlg22]

Why don't you just count calories instead of doing some program? Join a site like My Fitness Pal and just count your calories and keep track of your macros. However, I do suggest you find "In Place of a Road Map" on My Fitness Pal instead of using the automatic settings. Often the automatic settings will set your calories below your BMR which is unhealthy in the long run.

The reason I prefer MFP is because it doesn't push any sort of eating. It is very easy to do and makes you look at things besides calories. You are not made to feel "bad" about your food choices. I would NEVER eat just egg whites because all the healthy fat, most of the micros, and almost half the protein is in the yolk. I just account for it in my calories! No hassle!

If you do decide to do MFP then message me and I can help you set it up.

I totally agree with this. My friends who do Weight Watchers are focused on the processed and packaged foods, low-fat cheeses, etc. that give them the lowest # of points. I eat very similarly to the OP and use the Lose It! app on my iphone. MFP sounds similar. I love that it lets me put in recipes too, so I can track calories and nutrition in the things I cook, not just packaged/processed foods, and it's free - they have online forums too for help and support. For my goals (healthy eating and lose just a few pounds), it's great.

 

[mhsjax]

For me, WW changed how much and what I eat. So for instance, I used to eat scrambled eggs and toast for breakfast. That's about 6 points. Now I eat egg whites and still have a piece of toast and thats 3 points. Plus I now eat fruit with breakfast everyday. Just as filling, has all the same protein and a half the points.

OP, I never buy WW foods. I eat real foods. What has changed on WW is I control my portion size for higher fat/calorie foods and I am eating a lot more fruit and vegetables.

The main thing is you will have to change something. Either eating less, exercising more, or eating different (not processed) foods. Good luck.

I get that, I do. But you didn't indicate that you had "trouble" eating all of your points.

For me, adding a pice of fruit would send me into a feeding frenzy, sugar and carbs do that. But I still stand by the fact that if you are having trouble eating all of the points, you have some type of problem keeping you from losing weight, it really isn't that much food.

Also if people are eating so much fruit that they can eat all of thier points, they are eating to much of it. Even with fruit, too much can be a bad thing and even according to WW people can over do it and stall their weight loss.

 

[whatname]

I have done ww a few times for 3 months each time. I don't eat many processed foods, absolutely do not eat sugar substitutes at all, and have an emphasis on whole, unprocessed foods. (O.k. I admit I'll have an oreo or something sometimes.) I'm saying that those foods are not a large part of my diet and I could do without them. I never bought any of the ww foods. Anyway, I think ww could be done without processed foods. For me, I ate mostly lean meats, veg, and some fruit. For me, it helps me control my portions and I think tracking what I eat makes me more aware of my choices.

I think they have a 2 week trial offer right now, where if it doesn't work for you, you can get a refund. I looked a few days ago but then decided not to join and just cut back on my own. Maybe you could try it and see how it works.