Plan Basics: FAQ: Smartpoints | WW Canada
FAQ: SmartPoints & Tracking
Can I still eat my favorite snacks and sweets?
What happened to Power Foods and the Good Health Guidelines?
Can I just stick with PointsPlus?
Will my daily target ever change?
But fruit has sugar; how can it still be 0 SmartPoints value?
How exactly does the SmartPoints system help you to eat more healthfully?
How do I find out how many SmartPoints values there are in a food or beverage?
How is my daily SmartPoints target calculated?
Will I like the new program?
Yes! We asked the folks who tested the new plan and here’s what they found: more satisfaction after meals and snacks, more energy and menu flexibility.
Can I still eat my favorite snacks and sweets?
Yes! They can still fit your plan. You just have to choose which ones are worth it.
What happened to Power Foods and the Good Health Guidelines?
Following the SmartPoints plan is a simpler way to eat more healthfully — so there’s no need for additional guidelines. However, we would never discourage you from keeping tabs on your healthy habits (like water intake); it’s just not a part of the site/app experience anymore.
Can I just stick with PointsPlus?
In short, no. We recommend you switch. Based on the science and feedback from our members, we’re confident that you’ll be happy with the results. What’s more, our materials and products will be switching to SmartPoints, so we’d like all our members to be on the same page.
What should I eat?
It’s totally up to you — nothing is off limits. Want the most bang for your SmartPoints buck? Stick to foods that are higher in protein and lower in sugar and saturated fat. It’s all about making the plan work for you.
Will my daily target ever change?
Yep, and that’s a good thing! Because your daily target is personalized, it will be recalculated as you make progress.
What are Weekly SmartPoints?
Each week, you’ll get a personalized number of extra SmartPoints values to use as a cushion if you go over your daily target. You can use them any way you like — split them up over the week, save ‘em for the weekend, or don’t use them at all! (FYI: They don’t roll over. You’ll get a fresh set each week.)
Which foods are changing?
You can probably guess what’s going up: fried foods, pastries, sugar-sweetened beverages. What will be lower in SmartPoints values? Lean proteins (like chicken breast, tofu and salmon) that are lower in unhealthy fats.
Why focus on protein?
This crucial nutrient helps to repair tissue and maintain lean muscle, and aids hormone and enzyme function. It can also help keep you feeling full for longer. Lean meat and poultry, fish, and plant-based proteins are great choices on the SmartPoints plan.
But fruit has sugar; how can it still be 0 SmartPoints value?
We calculate fruit differently because it is full of vitamins, minerals, and fibre. So it stays zero, unless it's being blended in a drink. Learn more about how it's calculated in that case here.
How exactly does the SmartPoints system help you to eat more healthfully?
Many studies have confirmed the benefits of eating less sugar and saturated fat, and more protein. On our new plan, foods that are higher in sugar and/or saturated fat are higher in SmartPoints; foods higher in protein are lower in SmartPoints. You’re steered towards healthier choices and away from the not-so healthy.
How do I find out how many SmartPoints values there are in a food or beverage?
The easiest way is with our online tracker or on the Weight Watchers Mobile app. You can also ask us on 24/7 Expert Chat, or just take a stab! (Tracking isn’t about being perfect; it’s about doing the best you can.) If you didn’t have time to track, don’t sweat it; just try to get back to it at your next meal.
How do I track?
If you have a digital subscription, the easiest way is in your online tracker on the My Day dashboard (or if you have a smartphone, our Mobile app.)
If you’re on a computer:
- Enter the food name in the “Track food or activity” box on your homepage.
- Hit “enter.”
- Select the portion size and the meal time and click “Track.”
How is my daily SmartPoints target calculated?
Your daily SmartPoints target is based on your age, gender, height and weight, and helps you determine how much you need to eat each day to lose weight safely. Once you have set up your site tools for use, you will be given this number. As you lose weight, this number may change. Remember, to ensure that your daily SmartPoints number is accurate, don't forget to log your weight on your latest weight-tracking day.
How do Smartpoints work?
Every food is assigned a SmartPoints value — one, easy-to-use number based on four components: calories, saturated fat, sugar, and protein.
- Calories establish the baseline of how many SmartPoints values the food is worth.
- Protein lowers the amount of SmartPoints that something “costs.” Sugar and saturated fat increase the number.
Why change PointsPlus?
Our PointsPlus® plan revolutionized weight loss by creating a simple counting system with a formula that went beyond counting calories by factoring in different nutrients. But its primary focus was the number on the scale, not on the foods that fuel you. The SmartPoints™ plan goes even farther, helping you pinpoint the choices that help you lose weight and steering you towards a healthier eating pattern