by Susan Kristoff

Created on: November 09, 2009

The Weight Watchers weight loss program technically allows you to eat any food you want, as long as you remain within your daily Points target. However, this means you could spend all of your daily Points on beer, chocolate cake, or chips. To help you make good decisions when you choose what to eat each day, the Weight Watchers program includes Good Health Guidelines. These guidelines provide you with guidance on how to spend your Points each day.

Fruits and Vegetables

The Good Health Guidelines suggest that you eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Fruits and vegetables are filling, have low or zero Point values, and contain a lot of vitamins and minerals. Adding more fruits and vegetables to your meals can only benefit you!

Milk Products

For milk products, the Good Health Guidelines recommend that you have at least two servings of milk products each day. If you are a nursing mother, are over 50 years old, ore weigh more than 250 pounds, three servings of milk products are recommended for each day. Milk contains calcium that is needed to keep your bones and teeth strong.

Liquids

Weight Watchers recommends that you have at least six eight-ounce glasses of liquids each day. While the Guidelines allow you to count any kind of liquid towards your total, water is the best choice to keep you hydrated throughout the day.

Oils

Healthy oils and fats are needed by your body to maintain some of its functions. The Good Health Guidelines recommend two teaspoons of healthy oils each day.

Lean Protein

Weight Watchers recommends one to two servings of lean protein per day. Lean protein helps to build your muscles and has far less fat than regular protein sources.

Vitamin Supplements

We don't always receive all of the vitamins and minerals we need each day, particularly if we're trying to cut back on the foods we eat. Weight Watchers recommends that members take one multi-vitamin supplement each day that provides up to 100% of the daily allowance of the major vitamins and minerals.

Whole Grains

Weight Watchers recommends that you choose whole grains over white grains whenever possible. Whole grain products are more filling and contain more fiber than their processed counterparts.

Activity

Eating is only part o the Weight Watchers program! Activity can jump start your weight loss and keep it moving. The Good Health Guidelines recommend at least 30 minutes of activity per day on most days of the week.

Refined Sugar and Alcohol

While all of the other Good Health Guidelines recommend what you should do, this particular guideline focuses on what you should avoid. Sugars and alcohol contain empty calories and do not provide any other nutritional benefits. Keep your intake of sugars, particularly refined sugars, and alcoholic beverages to a minimum.

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