Theo Nash
Weight Watchers, also known as WW, is a weight loss program that helps people control or lose weight by influencing their overall lifestyle and eating habits. The program uses a point-based system, where each food and drink is assigned a numerical point value based on its nutritional content. The point values are calculated using various formulas that consider factors such as calories, sugar, saturated fat, protein, and fibre content. The program has evolved over time, with updates to the formula and the inclusion of more zero-point foods. While the formula for calculating points for foods considers protein, fats, carbs, and fibre, the calculation for alcoholic beverages is different. Alcohol is metabolized as sugar in the body, so the formula for calculating points for alcohol needs to take into account the alcohol content in grams.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Calculation method | (calories ⋅ 0.0305) + (saturated fat ⋅ 0.275) + (sugar ⋅ 0.12) - (protein ⋅ 0.098) = points |
| Calories | Calculated using a calorie calculator |
| Points Plus for Alcohol | Alcohol / Sugar Alcohol PointsPlus = (protein (g) /10.9375) + (carbs (g) /9.2105) + (fat (g) /3.8889 - (fiber (g) /12.5) + (alcohol (g) /3.0147) - (sugar alcohol (g) /23.0263) |
| Points Plus for Mixed Alcoholic Drinks | Calculate the Points Plus values of the alcohol, and then add it to whatever you’re mixing it with |
| Zero-Value Products | More than 200 products, including potatoes |
| Roll Over Points | Introduced by the Freestyle plan |
| Zero Smart Points Food Items | Introduced by the Freestyle plan |
What You'll Learn
Alcohol is metabolised as sugar in the body
To calculate Weight Watchers Points Plus for alcohol, the Weight Watchers PointsPlus calculator requires the nutritional values of protein, fibre, fat, carbohydrates, alcohol content, and/or sugar alcohol. However, the standard calculator does not take into account the calories of the item being calculated, which can lead to a false low reading for alcoholic drinks. Alcoholic drinks are typically zero-value for protein, fat, and fibre.
To address this, Weight Watchers has changed the way points plus for alcohol is calculated. They now take into account the amount of alcohol in grams, as alcohol is metabolised as sugar in the body. This means that the alcohol content is weighted heavier than normal carb or protein calories.
The formula for calculating points plus for alcohol is as follows:
Alcohol / Sugar Alcohol PointsPlus = (protein (g) / 10.9375) + (carbs (g) / 9.2105) + (fat (g) / 3.8889) - (fibre (g) / 12.5) + (alcohol (g) / 3.0147) - (sugar alcohol (g) / 23.0263).
Alcohol is metabolised by the body as follows:
- Alcohol (ethanol) is a toxin and is given metabolic preference by the body, to be broken down before other foods and drinks.
- The liver can break down, on average, a standard drink an hour.
- Food eaten with alcohol takes second place. The body will break down the alcohol first and then the food.
- If there is a lot of alcohol consumed with food, the body will break down the food into fat and store it.
- The liver and stomach are both involved in metabolising alcohol, although the relative contribution of each is controversial.
- Enzymes alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1), and catalase all contribute to the oxidative metabolism of ethanol.
- At each stage of the reaction, bonds are broken and energy is released.
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The formula for calculating points plus for alcohol
The formula for calculating Weight Watchers Points Plus for alcohol is not the same as for food. While the points for food are calculated using protein, fats, carbs, and fiber, alcohol uses a different approach. This is because alcohol is metabolized as sugar in the body.
Alcohol / Sugar Alcohol PointsPlus = (protein (g) / 10.9375) + (carbs (g) / 9.2105) + (fat (g) / 3.8889) - (fiber (g) / 12.5) + (alcohol (g) / 3.0147) - (sugar alcohol (g) / 23.0263).
It is important to note that the amount of alcohol in grams is not always listed on beverage labels. In such cases, you can use the basic macronutrient information to calculate the Points Plus values.
For mixed drinks, you will need to calculate the Points Plus values of the alcohol and then add it to the Points Plus values of the mixer (soda, milk, cream, etc.).
The Weight Watchers Points Plus calculator takes into account the nutritional values of protein, fiber, fat, and carbohydrates. However, it does not consider the calories of the item, which can lead to a false low reading for alcoholic beverages. Therefore, it is recommended to use the formula specifically designed for calculating Points Plus for alcohol.
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Alcohol uses a different approach to figuring out values
The Weight Watchers points system assigns numerical point values to foods and drinks based on their nutritional content. The points are calculated using various factors, including calories, sugar, saturated fat, and protein. The specific formula for calculating these points has changed over time, with the program introducing new features and updates to better align with nutritional guidelines and user needs.
When it comes to alcohol, a different approach is needed to determine its points value. Alcohol is metabolised as sugar in the body, so the amount of alcohol in grams becomes a critical factor in calculating the points. The formula for calculating points for alcohol involves considering not only the alcohol content but also the protein, carbohydrates, fat, and fibre content.
To calculate the points for alcohol, users can follow these steps: First, input the alcohol grams plus fat into the "fat" box of the Weight Watchers calculator. Then, input the carbohydrate values into the "carbs" box and any protein or fibre content into their respective boxes. Finally, hit the "calculate" button to obtain the Weight Watchers points for that specific alcoholic beverage. It is important to note that this method works for drinks like beer and wine but may not be applicable to mixed drinks, as the mixers would also need to be taken into account.
While occasional alcohol intake in moderation may be acceptable, it is important to remember that drinking while trying to lose weight is generally not recommended. The Weight Watchers program encourages healthier choices and provides guidance on making better food selections to support overall health and weight loss goals.
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Calculating points plus values for mixed drinks
Calculating the Weight Watchers Points Plus values for mixed drinks is a little more complicated than calculating the points for pure alcoholic drinks. This is because, in addition to the alcohol content, you also need to take into account the "mixer" in the equation.
Firstly, you need to calculate the Points Plus values of the alcohol. To do this, you need to know the alcohol content in grams. You can calculate this by multiplying the total carbohydrates in the drink by 4 to get the calories from carbs, subtracting these from the total calories in the drink, and then dividing the result by 7 to get the alcohol grams.
Once you have the alcohol grams, you can use the Weight Watchers food calculator. Input the alcohol grams + fat values as the "fat" input, and the protein, carbohydrate and fiber values where indicated in the calculator. Most alcoholic drinks will have a zero value for protein, fat and fiber.
Next, you need to calculate the Points Plus values of the mixer. This could be soda, milk, cream, juice, etc. These mixers will all have their own PointsPlus values that you need to add to your calculations.
Finally, add the Points Plus values of the alcohol and the mixer together to get the total Points Plus value for your mixed drink.
It's important to note that the official Weight Watchers instructions state that you shouldn't use the Weight Watchers PointsPlus calculator to determine the PointsPlus values for alcohol. The formula for calculating PointsPlus values for alcohol is different from that for food, as alcohol is metabolized as sugar in the body.
There are also other calculators available online, such as the Mixed Drink & Cocktail Calculator, that can help you determine the overall alcohol content of your mixed drink, taking into account the different ingredients and amounts used. There are also party drink calculators that can help you estimate how much alcohol and mixer to provide for a certain number of guests.
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The Weight Watchers PointsPlus calculator gives a false low reading
To calculate the PointsPlus values for alcoholic beverages accurately, it is necessary to consider the alcohol content in grams. The formula for calculating PointsPlus for alcohol is:
Alcohol / Sugar Alcohol PointsPlus = (protein (g) / 10.9375) + (carbs (g) / 9.2105) + (fat (g) / 3.8889) - (fiber (g) / 12.5) + (alcohol (g) / 3.0147) - (sugar alcohol (g) / 23.0263).
However, it is important to note that the amount of alcohol in grams is not always listed on beverage labels. In such cases, it is possible to estimate the alcohol content by using the basic macronutrient information of the drink. Once the alcohol content in grams is calculated, this information can be used in conjunction with the Weight Watchers food calculator to determine the PointsPlus values.
For mixed drinks, the calculation becomes more complex as the "mixer" also needs to be considered. If the mixer is a calorie-free option like diet soda or diet juice, only the alcohol content needs to be calculated. However, if the mixer contains calories, the total PointsPlus value for the drink needs to be calculated by taking into account both the alcohol and the mixer.
It is worth mentioning that the Weight Watchers program has evolved over time, and the point calculation methods have been updated. The program now assigns smart points to foods and drinks based on their protein, sugar, fat, and calorie contents. The participants use an app to record their meals and monitor their progress toward their weight loss goals. While the PointsPlus calculator may give a false low reading for alcohol, the Weight Watchers program as a whole is designed to help individuals control or lose weight by influencing their overall lifestyle and eating habits.
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Frequently asked questions
Weight Watchers (WW) is a weight loss program that helps people control or lose weight by influencing their overall lifestyle and eating habits. The program assigns each food and drink a number value based on its nutritional content.
The formula for calculating Weight Watchers points for alcohol is not the same as for food. Alcohol is metabolized as sugar in the body, so the formula for calculating points needs to take into consideration the alcohol content in grams. The formula is as follows:
Alcohol / Sugar Alcohol PointsPlus = (protein (g) /10.9375) + (carbs (g) /9.2105) + (fat (g) /3.8889 - (fiber (g) /12.5) + (alcohol (g) /3.0147) - (sugar alcohol (g) /23.0263).
First, gather all the necessary information from the labels of your food, including calories, sugar, protein, and saturated fat in grams. Input these values into the calculator, and it will automatically display the points.
It is recommended to use the Weight Watchers Points Calculator to look up points for foods before eating out. It is also important to note that the official Weight Watchers point calculation methods are often updated, so the calculator may not always reflect the most recent changes. Additionally, while occasional alcohol intake in moderation may be acceptable, drinking while trying to lose weight is generally not recommended.
