How to Make the Most of Zero Points Foods

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The WW FreestyleTM program is just that: freeing! With so many different foods that you don’t have to measure or track, you have more time to live your life and do more of what you love. (Not to mention how much flexibility zero Points® foods add to your SmartPoints® Budget. No matter how you make no-count options part of your menu, keep these tips in mind to maximize your enjoyment—and success.

The more you know...

As our Science team likes to say, these foods "form the foundation of a healthy eating pattern," which is to say: Put 'em on the menu! Understanding the "why" behind zero Points foods—from fruits and vegetables (the OG zero Points foods) to beans, fish, unsweetened nonfat yogurt, and more—as well as the "why not" for certain foods (dried fruit or nonfat milk, for instance) in these categories can help guide you to best-for-you choices.

Find the balance

Yes, zero Points foods and WW Freestyle are freeing—but it doesn't mean they're a free-for-all. Just as with foods that have SmartPoints, eating sensibly and to satisfaction is the way to go. If you didn't eat three chicken breasts at a sitting before they were zero Points, why do it now? Similarly, while you might be tempted to try for a zero Points day—and that's fine, if you really want those foods and nothing but—you'll probably find you're missing out on the flavours of other foods with SmartPoints. Deprivation doesn't work, and can slingshot you into the other extreme of overdoing SmartPoints. WW Freestyle is yours to work as you like, but you will probably find it goes most smoothly when you are enjoying both zero Points foods and foods with SmartPoints, if not at most meals, then most days for sure. Speaking of enjoying foods....

Build your meals

With more than 200 zero Points foods to choose from, just thinking about meal planning might feel overwhelming. But if you follow a few steps, as with our handy meal builders it becomes more manageable. Use zero Points foods as bases such as tofu and fish can help you understand how to work them into your plan. As outlined in your Weekly, you can add other low- or zero Points foods that complement your base, such as asparagus with your salmon or sautéeing mushrooms to partner your tofu. Round things out with a low SmartPoints food that’s high in flavour to spice up your meal (literally)—or a small amount of a richly flavoured food that's higher in SmartPoints, like Parmesan cheese. Then, enjoy!