There are many calculators and food lists for the weight watchers point systems online. Not that I want to cheat the system - but to be honest, the weight watchers website doesn't exactly say a whole lot about what my $85 is going towards (that is the first 3 months and start up fee) except the fact that I get to use their online tools. What do I get after I pay? How do I learn what foods are how many points? Is it only online? Do I get a book mailed to me for my at home reference? The user agreement online says that my subscription isn't transferable... does that mean if I'm not happy with the online system, that I wouldn't be able to switch to the in person meetings without paying again? So far the online weight watchers website has not been that great of a help. (Not to mention, I can think of a few better ways to spend that $85!!)
I have however found many helpful resources on other websites that may allow me to do it on my own. I found a write up here that shows you how to calculate your allowed points (I'm allowed 29, thats almost 10 per meal. Not bad!). I also found this helpful point calculator here so that you can keep track of everything. There are multiple food lists that other people have compiled online for quick reference, for example, here, and here. If you eat out at restaurants often, you can check points for menu items here. One site that has been helpful when looking for foods that I cant get the nutritional value for (when baking and such) is here. I can look up anything (eggs, spices, flour, fruits, veggies) input the Calories, Fat and Fiber into the calculator, and viola! Points.
I may even start compiling my own list with foods that I eat often for quick reference, and might start keeping a food/points journal that I can share with you - if you're at all interested! I'll start writing down everything I eat today anyways, and we'll see how many points I consume! Wish me luck!! I might need it!
Here is an example with the Whole Wheat Banana Muffins I made yesterday (this recipe can easily be halved):
Cream together:
1/2 cup butter (I didnt have any margarine left...) - 25 points (eek!)
1 cup white sugar - 16 points
Mix in:
3-4 bananas, mashed (I used 3) - 6 points
2 eggs - 2 points (I only had one egg, so I used 1 tbs of EVOO for the other one - 4 points + 1 point for the egg)
In a separate bowl, combine:
2 cups whole wheat flour - 16 points
1 tsp baking powder - 0 points
1 tsp baking soda - 0 points
1 tsp salt - 0 points
1/4 tsp cinnamon - 0 points
1/4 tsp nutmeg - 0 points
Stir wet ingredients into dry just until combined, then add:
1/2 cup chocolate chips - 12 points
1/2 cup walnuts - 6 points
Drop into 12 paper lined muffin cups, and bake at 375 for 20 minutes. Mmmmm delicious.
This recipe with my substitutions has a total of 86 points, which equals just over 7 points per muffin. Already I can see ways to bring down the point value, using margarine is a big one and maybe even just using walnuts or raisins instead of chocolate chips. Of course the EVOO didn't help out as much as I had hoped... Apparently I need to go grocery shopping! But they are delicious! And it was a lot easier than I thought to figure out the point value of everything with the help of the links I shared above!
So far this looks promising!
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