Diets: Taking a Good Look at Weight Watchers

Reviewed by: Dr. Steven Knauf, D.C.

By: Brandi Goodman

With wellness on the rise, many are looking to make healthy changes. And with so many diets out there, picking the perfect one can feel like a game show challenge. Enter Weight Watchers, or WW as it’s now known—a classic contender with a winning reputation!

Founded in 1963, WW International has been a trusty sidekick in the journey to better health for decades. Let's take a closer look and see if this program is your ticket to feeling fabulous. Discover if WW is your perfect match.

What is Weight Watchers and how does it work?

Weight Watchers (WW) is a weight loss program that encourages people to lose weight through nutrition science and behavior changes. It operates on a points system that designates a point value to every food. You get so many points per day, though the amount varies as this program works on an individual level. The average is around 23.

You’ve most likely seen commercials with famous faces singing the program’s praises. Jennifer Simpson, Jenny McCarthy, Jennifer Hudson, and more have shared their experiences with WW. Oprah Winfrey was even partnered with the program for many years and was named to the board of directors. Oprah reportedly bought about 10 percent of the company for $43 million in 2015.

Key principles behind the Weight Watchers program

WW is not about restrictive dieting as so many of the other available diet plans are. Instead, the principles of the program include portion control, meal planning, healthier habits, and sustainable living. The goal is to get participants to understand how they can use food to fuel them but still enjoy what they’re eating. With the right portion sizes, paired with physical activity and other healthy habits, your weight loss goal can be achieved.

Is Weight Watchers supported by science?

Science nutrition is a foundational pillar of the WW program. Each food is carefully evaluated for its overall content, not just its calorie count. The number of calories, protein, fat, sugar, and other variables are all assessed. It has been studied extensively over the 60-plus years it has been in existence, and U.S. News has even dubbed it the Np. 1 best weight-loss diet in 2024. Registered dietitians weighed in for this ranking.

How is the points system in Weight Watchers determined?

Weight Watchers points are allotted for every food available. On WW products, such as frozen meals found at grocery stores, the points are already listed for you. For other foods, you’ll have to calculate them yourself or use the WW app and corresponding barcode scanner to have the proper points calculated. There are also online calculators that allow you to input the details from the nutrition label and receive the points results, though they may not have the latest points calculations (which change periodically) or be 100 percent accurate. They are worthwhile to try if you do not have access to the app.

The points foods get allotted are determined by their calorie count, saturated fat content, protein, and amount of sugar. Many foods are between zero and five points, though some can be higher. You also gain FitPoints for movement. The more you exercise, the more points you get back to use toward your food limit.

ZeroPoint foods and how they fit into the Weight Watchers plan

You don’t have to worry about a point count for every food you eat. Some ZeroPoint foods are on the menu, which allows you to enjoy them without worrying about them counting against your daily point value. Most fruits and vegetables are included in the ZeroPoint category, which is a great way to encourage healthy eating. Other ZeroPoint foods include eggs, chicken breast, turkey breast, fish, cottage cheese, many yogurts, beans, and tofu.

What kind of support does Weight Watchers provide to its members?

WW offers significant support to its members. When you sign up for the program, you receive a customized nutritional plan based on the details you provide, such as your gender, age, level of activity, and goals. Your daily points allotted are determined by these factors. You’ll gain access to their app, which offers various tracking and tools, including point calculations for easy figuring.

How WW addresses the psychological and emotional aspects of weight loss

Losing weight is not easy. It can be an emotional journey with psychological repercussions. That is why WW provides members with a chat space where everyone can connect. You can speak to other members about how the program is going for them and learn helpful tricks along the way.

Benefits of joining Weight Watchers compared to other programs

Many programs are not sustainable, limiting the foods you can eat. WW can help you achieve long-term success and is sustainable for a lifetime. It encourages participants to eat the foods they love as long as they are limiting their portions and keeping up with their points. With so many ZeroPoint foods also included, people are more encouraged to eat healthy foods such as eggs, yogurt, fruits, vegetables, fish, and lean meat. These will not count against their daily points, making them more tempting to add to a daily menu.

Can Weight Watchers be customized to fit dietary needs?

Anyone requiring specific dietary needs, such as gluten-free, dairy-free, or nut-free, can also use Weight Watchers. Because every food is given its own set of points, and you can eat and enter what you want on this plan, it works for everyone.

WW also has a diabetes-specific program. It is intended to help people with diabetes both lose weight and lower their A1C. The app includes blood sugar tracking to ensure success.

Potential challenges of Weight Watchers and how to overcome them

One of the biggest challenges of the WW program is that it costs money. You must pay a monthly fee to use the app and all of the tracking details it provides. You have to pay both a starter fee and a monthly fee to begin, which can make it costly if you hope to try it for just one month to see if you like it. However, there are extended plans that decrease in price, including a three-month subscription and a 10-month subscription. Once you’ve tried the program for your chosen timeframe, you will have the points and knowledge needed to continue tracking on your own.

Combine your Weight Watchers diet with chiropractic

A healthy diet is a great start for improving your well-being. Combine it with exercise and routine chiropractic care, and you have a great chance at enhancing and maintaining your health. The Joint Chiropractic is your partner in health, encouraging you to add healthy habits to your daily routine and using all the tools available to you to become the healthiest person you can be.

The information, including but not limited to text, graphics, images, and other material contained on this page, is for informational purposes only. The purpose of this post is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics, including but not limited to the benefits of chiropractic care, exercise, and nutrition. It is not intended to provide or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your chiropractor, physician, or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this page.