Photo: Shutterstock / Jonathan Weiss
Have you heard? Weight Watchers has completely transformed their program this year and everyone’s talking about it. It’s called Weight Watchers Freestyle, and get this, it allows a ton of free foods that you can eat unlimited quantities of. Yep, that’s right, unlimited quantities.
If you’re not familiar with Weight Watchers, here’s a little bit of background: Typically the Weight Watchers program works on a point system. Every single food item has a specific number of points, which Weight Watchers calls SmartPoints. You’re allowed a specific number of points every day, helping you to portion out your food and eat foods that have a lesser point value (like produce).
The new WW Freestyle program, however, changes the Weight Watchers game. Having a list of 200 zero Points® foods (free foods that have no SmartPoints value) is to reflect the most recent U.S. Dietary Guidelines that have been researched since Weight Watchers first launched their SmartPoints program.
“We anchor ourselves to the dietary guidelines,” said Gary Foster, Weight Watchers’ Chief Scientific Officer in an interview with Business Insider. “It’s one thing for a team of experts to say ‘This is what the globe should eat,’ and it’s our job to then develop a system that can change that pattern of eating.”
So if you plan on attempting the new WW Freestyle program, here are a few pointers to help you succeed.
Incorporate as many zero Points® foods as possible
Have you seen the zero Points® food list yet? It’s huge! There are tons of delicious foods to choose from on this list, and you can eat as much as it as you want! Now that may seem too good to be true, but keep this in mind: Could you actually eat 10 eggs in one sitting? Probably not. These foods will fill you up fast, and they are going to do wonders for your weight loss goals.
Drink lots of water
Yes, drinking water is still good for you, and it’s going to help out immensely with your new diet plan. There are a ton of benefits that come with drinking water regularly, including weight loss, improving fatigue, and helping with digestion.
Plan it all out
Meal planning sounds like the pits, but it can be very effective when it comes to succeeding at a diet such as Weight Watchers. Take an hour on your weekend to plan out every single meal for the week—including snacks. Make a grocery list for those meals and stick to that grocery list. Oh, and make sure that you don’t go to the grocery store feeling hungry! That never goes well.
Make smart swaps for your cravings
Cravings are inevitable, especially when you first start a dieting program such as this. Weight Watchers actually recommends satisfying those cravings by finding other avenues to do so. For example, if you have a sugar craving, satisfy that craving with a delicious piece of fruit. Or if you want something salty and crunchy, try popcorn instead of chips. Looking for some snack ideas? We have a ton of healthier snack recipes for you to pick from.
Use your slow cooker
Just because you’re eating healthier and trying to cook more doesn’t mean you have to make it so hard for yourself! Your slow cooker is a great appliance to use when trying to eat healthy, especially when your days are busy. Our list of 50 healthy slow cooker recipes is a great place to start. Plus, most of them are stuffed with those zero Point foods.
Get active—and make it fun!
Working out isn’t just running on the treadmill or lifting weights. There are so many other fun options that will get you sweating in no time! Try swimming, pilates, yoga, or even cycling. Better yet, call up your friends and plan to go for a long walk early in the morning or after dropping the kids at school.
Bank up your points for one delicious treat
One of the best things about Weight Watchers is giving users an understanding of their favorite treats, and how it affects their overall diet. However, they don’t completely cut out these treats compared to other popular diets (like the Whole 30). The best part? This new program actually allows you to rollover SmartPoints! So if you ate really well throughout the week and have extra SmartPoints to blow, you can treat yourself to something sweet. It’s all about balance, right? And how could you ever deny a delicious slice of this classic chocolate cake?
Stay on track with these light chocolate desserts!
Black Bean BrowniesYou’d never guess these rich, velvety chocolate treats contain a can of black beans. Who would have thought black bean brownies would be so amazing? —Kathy Hewitt, Cranston, Rhode Island
Black Forest Cannoli ParfaitsMy family loves cannoli, but I don't love making the shells. This parfait is an easy way to enjoy the flavor without spending time baking the shells. —Anna Ginsberg, Austin, Texas
Chocolate and Raspberry CheesecakeYou’ll fall in love with this sweet treat. Each silky slice is topped with juicy raspberries. Yes, you can have cheesecake without breaking the calorie budget. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Reese's Chocolate Snack CakeMy family constantly requests this cake is constantly. I don't mind making it because it's surprisingly low-cal. And its yellow and orange toppings make it the perfect dessert for a Halloween party. —Eileen Travis, Ukiah, California
Gluten-Free Peanut Butter BlondiesI converted these blondies to be gluten free so that my family could enjoy a comforting dessert. We were craving brownies one night, and these cakelike treats hit the spot. They are a fantastic spin on gluten-free peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. —Becky Klope, Loudonville, New York
Frozen Chocolate Monkey TreatsEveryone needs a fun, friendly way for kids to play with food. These rich bites are nutty and yummy. Just coat bananas in chocolate and dip them into peanuts, sprinkles or coconut. —Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin
Nana's Chocolate Cupcakes with Mint FrostingEven though Nana is no longer with us, her treats bring me so much joy every time
I bake them. For a more indulgent version, double the frosting and pile it on high! —Chekota Hunter, Cassville, Missouri
Chocolate-Dipped Phyllo SticksLooking for a little something special to share with friends or family? Try these crunchy treats. They’re wonderful with coffee or a glass of milk. —Peggy Woodward, Shullsburg, Wisconsin
Glazed Chocolate Angel Food CakeA drizzling of rich chocolate glaze lends an elegant touch and will keep guests wanting more. With only 3g of fat per slice, this is one treat you'll want to see year after year! —Mary Relyea, Canastota, New York
Ice Cream Cone TreatsI came up with this recipe as a way for my grandkids to enjoy Rice Krispies treats without getting sticky hands. You can also pack the cereal mixture into paper cups and insert a wooden pop stick to create cute pops. —Mabel Nolan, Vancouver, Washington
Chocolaty S'mores BarsOne night my husband had some friends over to play poker and he requested these s'mores bars. They polished off the pan and asked for more! I shared the recipe, and now their families make them, too. —Rebecca Shipp, Beebe, Arkansas
No-Guilt BrowniesYes, you can watch your diet and enjoy treats, too! These healthy brownies are the perfect cure for a serious chocolate craving. —Rita Ross, Delta, Ohio
Chocolate-Dipped Strawberry Meringue RosesEat these pretty treats as is or crush them into a bowl of strawberries and whipped cream. Readers of my blog, utry.it, went nuts when I posted that idea.—Amy Tong, Anaheim, California
Chocolate Swirled CheesecakeThis cheesecake looks and tastes indulgent, but it's a lightened up version you can feel good about serving your family. —Kathy Shan, Toledo, Ohio
Chocolate Crinkle CookiesWhen I baked this moist, fudgy chocolate crinkle cookie recipe for the first time, my three preschool children went wild over them! But I like them because they're lower in fat and easy to mix and bake. —Maria Groff, Ephrata, Pennsylvania
Candy Cane Chocolate LoavesWhen I had a bunch of leftover candy canes after the holidays, I was inspired to use them up by adding them to a chocolate bread. Coffee and cocoa intensify the flavor. —Shelly Platten, Amherst, Wisconsin
Mocha-Hazelnut Glazed Angel Food CakeI love this recipe because it combines three of my favorite flavors: coffee, hazelnuts and cherries. —Joan Pecsek, Chesapeake, Virginia
Almond Fudge CakePeople are amazed that this luscious, moist and tender cake is a light dessert. I love the rich chocolate flavor and fruity sauce. —Mike Pickerel, Columbia, Missouri
Warm Chocolate Melting CupsThese little cakes have become a favorite of our guests. They are always surprised that such a chocolaty dessert is so light—less than 200 calories apiece! —Kissa Vaughn, Troy, Texas
Chocolate Eclair DelightIt's amazing how the layers of this eclair torte soften overnight into a cakelike texture. Just before serving this dessert, I like to dust the top with cocoa. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario
Chocolate Angel CakeWhen I was married in 1944, I could barely boil water. My dear mother-in-law taught me her specialty—making the lightest angel food cakes ever. This chocolate version is an easy, impressive treat. —Joyce Shiffler, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Ganache-Topped Chocolate CakeTo say this cake is elegant would be an understatement. It’s worthy of special occasions, but once you learn
how to make chocolate ganache, it's so easy to whip together that you can enjoy it any day of the week. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch BarsMy twist on rice crispy bars includes crunchy crushed pretzels. Then I top them with a creamy peanut butter coating and rich chocolate topping. Garnished with peanuts and even more pretzels, I don’t think I'd ever go back to plain old bars again. —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin
