Are you wondering how to calculate Weight Watchers points in your favorite recipes? Calculating points has proven to be pretty simple and convenient for those who have used the program and found success with it. The new Weight Watchers Points Plus Program contains many of the components that made the previous program successful, but now with a few adaptations.

The process of calculation is (thankfully) pretty simple if you know the points values of the ingredients of the individual foods listed in the recipes. A Weight Watchers Points Plus calculator or the online tools will assist this in this somewhat mathematical process. If the recipe calls for double servings it’s really important to take this into consideration for the full total points value of the recipe. However, just like any mathematical equation, the actual individual servings will reduce the points value that the member needs to record as they track their daily usage.

Ok, so in order to calculate Weight Watchers points, start by listing off all the food ingredients and their individual points value. This process will give you the total points value of the recipe. Calculate the points value of foods such as sauces by putting the required nutritional values into the calculator, which will provide the immediate value of the sauce. This is added to the combined values of individual ingredients. Weight Watchers brand products have the points listed on their packaging and this makes calculating points of recipes very simple.

You definitely want to make note of the fact that if a recipe is worth say 5 points, an individual serving may only be worth one point, and this is what is added to the daily allowance for the member. Other foods used on the plate should have their values added to the 1 point to give the total meal value. Here’s a little DYI FYI... fruit and vegetables are worth 0 points! If a recipe is a high points value meal, using mostly low point value accompaniments obviously will help keep the calories down. This of course it essential for dieting.

The ease to calculate Weight Watchers points makes staying on the program, or similar weight loss programs actually somewhat easy. You can use the point calculation system even if you’re not a paying Weight Watcher member. Also you can use it to adapt any recipe, i.e. by substituting lower point value alternatives to the ingredients in the recipe. Basically you’re looking to reduce weight gainers like salt, fat, cabs etc. Likewise, when out eating at restaurants, it’s possible to request the ingredients of menu choices to choose options that are considered to be at a low points value. Yes you can calculate Weight Watchers points when eating out.

The points system on the Weight Watchers Points Plus Program is easy to calculate. Learning how to use the allocated points each day and to exchange foods to reduce the total points value of your favorite recipes is simple. Any recipe can be adapted and once the value is calculated, the recipe can be repeatedly used with no requirement to calculate Weight Watchers points again.

I’ll point one thing out though... it’s the kind of weight loss philosophy that’s been researched for years. Weight Watchers has simply branded the idea and marketed it with a lot of success. You don’t necessarily have to be a Weight Watchers member to follow this kind of system to see results.