WeightWatchers® vs Mediterranean Diet

Diet comparison

WeightWatchers® vs. Mediterranean Diet

Losing weight can be tough—we’re here to make it easier. In this article, we'll compare the Mediterranean diet with the WeightWatchers weight loss program. We'll examine the types of foods consumed, potential health risks, and how easy it is to incorporate both options into your daily routine.

Does the Mediterranean diet work for weight loss?


The Mediterranean diet involves mostly sticking to a plant-based diet, which means eating wholegrains, olive oil, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, herbs and spices on a daily basis. Animal-based proteins like eggs and dairy should be eaten a few times a week, fish or chicken twice weekly, and red meat just a few times a month. The theory is its a diet that mimics how a population eat in a part of Greece that's been identified as one of the world's Blue Zones, a collection of five geographical regions that are home to the world's longest-living people.

The Mediterranean diet is a safe way to lose weight and reduce your risk of developing chronic disease and type 2 diabetes.

The WW’s approach to healthier eating is closely linked to a Mediterranean lifestyle. Following the WeightWatchers program just makes it simpler to eat the Mediterranean way and reap all its benefits while enjoying food you love. That’s because food choices on WW are powered by our Points system, which guides you toward a healthier pattern of eating and a wide variety of ZeroPoint foods. Those same ZeroPoint foods are building blocks of the Mediterranean diet—including veggies, fruit, lean protein, and legumes.

Learn more about how the Mediterranean diet compares to WW



Mediterranean diet

U.S. News & World Report Rankings*

#1 Best Diet for Weight-Loss in 2023

#5 in Best Weight-Loss Diets in 2023


What can I eat?

Everything’s on the menu! The WeightWatchers program has food, activity, sleep, and mindset features designed to make weight loss easier. It builds on our proven Points system, which converts calories, saturated fat, added sugar, fibre and protein into one easy-to-use value. There are different ways to follow WW that provide tailored Points Budgets, along with ZeroPoint foods that you don’t have to track or measure. Of course, balanced, healthy eating behaviours are still recommended.

Primarily plant-based foods, eating small amounts of red meat occasionally, and replacing butter with healthy fats like olive oil. Using herbs and spices for flavour instead of salt.


How it works

The program has been developed based on principles of nutrition and behaviour-change science to build healthy habits around food, activity, sleep, and mindset. Our easy-to-use features, including our 'What's in your fridge' tool that suggests recipes based on what you already have, techniques that you can learn through 5-minute audio coaching sessions, and weekly topics help guide members towards smarter food choices, moving more, sleeping better, and more helpful ways of thinking.

Is it liveable? Yes, the Mediterranean diet is one of the few diets that studies have shown is sustainable long-term. This is partly because it does not cut out whole food groups.


Community and support

In-person and Virtual Workshops, WW coaches, 24/7 live coaching, customer service, and Connect (an exclusive social network with other members for motivation and inspiration whenever you need it).

Online blogs and support communities exist but do not provide guidance from qualified experts.


Best Diet for Weight Loss

*WW is the #1 Best Diet for Weight Loss 13 years in a row! Learn more here.

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WW Mediterranean recipes

The WeightWatchers program is suitable for all dietary preferences including those who prefer to follow a Mediterranean style of eating.

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