Visualizing the contribution of each nutrient to the total SmartPoints.
Nutrient Contribution Table
Nutrient
Value per Serving
Points Contribution
Calories
—
—
Saturated Fat (g)
—
—
Sugar (g)
—
—
Sodium (mg)
—
—
Total SmartPoints
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What is the Weight Watchers 2017 Points Calculator?
The Weight Watchers 2017 Points Calculator, often referred to as the SmartPoints calculator, is a tool designed to help individuals track their food intake based on the Weight Watchers (WW) program's proprietary point system introduced in 2017. This system assigns a numerical value (SmartPoints) to foods and beverages based on their nutritional content, specifically focusing on calories, saturated fat, sugar, and sodium. The goal is to guide users towards healthier food choices by making them more aware of the nutritional impact of what they eat.
Who should use it? Anyone following the Weight Watchers 2017 SmartPoints plan will find this calculator invaluable. It's particularly useful for those who cook at home, eat out frequently, or consume packaged foods where nutritional information is readily available but the SmartPoints value isn't explicitly listed. It empowers users to accurately log their food and stay within their daily or weekly SmartPoints budget.
Common misconceptions about the WW 2017 SmartPoints system include the belief that it's solely about restriction. In reality, the system is designed to encourage nutrient-dense foods. For instance, fruits and most vegetables have zero SmartPoints, promoting their consumption. Another misconception is that all "healthy" foods are low in points; while often true, high-fat or high-sugar "healthy" options can still carry a significant point value, which this calculator helps to clarify.
Understanding the WW 2017 SmartPoints Formula
The core of the Weight Watchers 2017 Points Calculator lies in its specific formula. This formula was developed by WW to reflect the nutritional components that have the most significant impact on weight management and overall health. The 2017 SmartPoints formula is as follows:
Calories: While calories are a fundamental aspect of weight loss, WW recognized that not all calories are equal. The multiplier of 0.07 reflects its importance but acknowledges other factors.
Saturated Fat: This is given a weight of 1 point per gram. Saturated fats are often calorie-dense and can impact heart health, making them a key factor in the WW system.
Sugar: Similar to saturated fat, sugar is assigned 1 point per gram. High sugar intake is linked to various health issues and can contribute to overeating.
Sodium: Sodium contributes 0.004 points per milligram. While not as heavily weighted as fat or sugar, excessive sodium intake can lead to water retention and other health concerns.
This formula aims to create a balanced approach, penalizing less healthy components while still accounting for overall energy intake.
Variables Table for WW 2017 SmartPoints
Variable
Meaning
Unit
Typical Range (per serving)
Calories
Energy content of the food
kcal
0 – 1000+
Saturated Fat
Type of fat known to impact health
grams (g)
0 – 50+
Sugar
Total sugars in the food
grams (g)
0 – 100+
Sodium
Salt content
milligrams (mg)
0 – 2000+
SmartPoints
Calculated value for tracking
Points
0 – 50+
Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)
To illustrate how the Weight Watchers 2017 Points Calculator works, let's look at a couple of examples:
Result: Approximately 26 SmartPoints (WW often rounds up or uses specific rounding rules).
Interpretation: While apples are healthy and rich in fiber, their natural sugar content contributes significantly to their SmartPoints value. This highlights how WW encourages mindful consumption even of healthy foods.
Interpretation: Lean protein sources like grilled chicken are generally lower in SmartPoints because they are low in fat and sugar. This aligns with WW's emphasis on protein for satiety.
How to Use This Weight Watchers 2017 Points Calculator
Using the Weight Watchers 2017 Points Calculator is straightforward. Follow these steps:
Gather Nutritional Information: Find the nutritional facts for the food or meal you want to calculate. This is usually found on the packaging, online, or from restaurant nutritional guides.
Enter Data: Input the values for Calories, Saturated Fat (in grams), Sugar (in grams), and Sodium (in milligrams) per serving into the respective fields. You can also enter the food name for your records.
Calculate: Click the "Calculate Points" button.
Read Results: The calculator will display the total SmartPoints for the serving, along with the individual contributions from each nutrient.
Interpret: Use the calculated SmartPoints to log your food in your WW tracker or to make informed decisions about your food choices.
How to read results: The main result is the total SmartPoints value. The intermediate values show how much each nutrient contributes to that total. For example, a high sugar value will significantly increase the SmartPoints.
Decision-making guidance: If a food has a high SmartPoints value, consider if there are lower-point alternatives or if the portion size needs adjustment. This calculator helps you understand *why* a food has a certain point value, enabling smarter choices.
Key Factors That Affect Weight Watchers 2017 SmartPoints Results
Several factors influence the SmartPoints calculation and your overall success on the WW program:
Saturated Fat Content: This is a primary driver of SmartPoints. Foods high in saturated fat, like fatty meats, butter, and full-fat dairy, will have higher point values. Choosing lean proteins and low-fat dairy can significantly reduce your points.
Sugar Content: Added sugars and natural sugars in large quantities increase the SmartPoints. This encourages limiting sugary drinks, desserts, and processed snacks.
Calorie Density: While not the sole factor, calorie-dense foods contribute to the SmartPoints. Foods that pack many calories into a small volume tend to have higher points.
Sodium Levels: High sodium foods, often processed and packaged items, add to the SmartPoints. Reducing sodium intake is beneficial for health and can slightly lower points.
Portion Size: The calculator works per serving. Consuming larger portions naturally increases the total SmartPoints consumed, even if the points per serving are moderate. Accurate measurement is key.
Food Processing: Highly processed foods often contain higher levels of added sugar, sodium, and unhealthy fats, leading to higher SmartPoints compared to whole, unprocessed foods.
Individual Daily/Weekly Budget: The calculated SmartPoints must fit within your personal daily and weekly allowance, which is determined by WW based on individual factors like weight, height, age, and gender.
ZeroPoint Foods: WW designates certain foods (like most fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, etc.) as ZeroPoint foods. These do not contribute to the SmartPoints total, encouraging their consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Does the WW 2017 SmartPoints calculator round points?
A: Weight Watchers typically rounds points. While the exact rounding rules can vary slightly, often points are rounded to the nearest whole number, sometimes rounding up. This calculator provides the calculated value, and you should apply WW's specific rounding guidelines when logging.
Q2: Are fruits and vegetables ZeroPoint foods in the 2017 plan?
A: Yes, in the 2017 SmartPoints plan, most fruits and non-starchy vegetables are designated as ZeroPoint foods. This encourages their consumption as part of a healthy diet.
Q3: What's the difference between SmartPoints (2017) and the newer WW Points system?
A: The 2017 SmartPoints system heavily weighted sugar and sodium. Newer WW systems (like PersonalPoints or the current Points system) may have different formulas, potentially including factors like protein or fiber, and may adjust points based on individual metabolism and preferences.
Q4: Can I use this calculator for the latest WW plan?
A: No, this calculator is specifically for the 2017 SmartPoints plan. WW has updated its points system multiple times. For the most current plan, you would need a calculator based on the latest formula.
Q5: What if I don't have exact nutritional information?
A: Try to find the closest estimate. Use online databases, food labels for similar products, or restaurant nutritional information. Accuracy improves results, but estimations are better than nothing.
Q6: Why is sodium included in the points calculation?
A: While not as impactful as saturated fat or sugar, high sodium intake is linked to health issues like high blood pressure and water retention. Its inclusion encourages moderation.
Q7: How do I calculate points for a mixed meal?
A: Calculate the SmartPoints for each ingredient individually using its nutritional information per serving, then sum them up. Alternatively, find the total nutritional information for the entire meal and divide by the number of servings.
Q8: Does this calculator account for fiber?
A: No, the 2017 SmartPoints formula does not directly account for fiber. While fiber is beneficial, the focus of the 2017 points was on calories, saturated fat, sugar, and sodium.