Weight Watchers

Weight Watchers started back in Queens, New York, in 1963, when an overweight housewife discovered there was more to losing weight than just cutting down on food. - that housewife was founder Jean Nidetch.

Following a diet given to her by a diet clinic, she lost 7 kilos in two months and realised that what she missed throughout her struggle to lose weight was someone to talk to.

Having mostly overweight friends, who were also desperate to slim down, she invited them around one morning to talk about their dieting dilemmas. In three months 40 people were cramming into her apartment.

News spread quickly and Jean found herself hosting similar meetings around New York, till finally she rented a loft in Queens to hold the first public Weight watchers meeting. 400 people turned up - without it even being advertised. The rest is history.

Weight Watchers opened its doors in Australia and New Zealand in 1969 and runs over 2,000 meetings a week making it the largest weight loss organisation in Australasia.

Carrying it's own product line and through it's meetings, Weight Watchers educates and motivates people to eat moderate and balanced meals and to exercise.

Like most diets it does suggest to restrict sugar, fat and alcohol, but also warns not to totally eliminate them in a bid to avoid cravings and binge eating.

The original plan was based on the diet that Jean followed from the clinic. In 1984, 'exchange' plan was introduced, whereby you could choose foods by a food exchange system. You could choose from breads and starchy-foods, protein foods, fruit, dairy, non-starchy vegetables and fats. For example, instead of a slice of bread you could have ½ cup of rise or a potato or spaghetti. This was referred to as 'Selections'.

In 1998, Weight Watchers then introduced the POINTS-based diet called 1,2,3 Success giving people the ability to eat nutritious, low fat meals without going over a daily points quota of 18.

They carry a huge range of foods, mainly tinned and packaged (tuna, canned fruits, cheese, etc) so Weight Watchers dieting is very easy and a plan that everyone can follow without even attending a meeting. A monthly magazine they distribute is well worth looking at.

Here is what you could eat in one day if were on Weight Watchers' 1,2,3 Success Points Plan. The maximum points allowed are 18.

Breakfast:
2 slices bread toasted (2) topped with
their low-joule jam (0)
1 small tub low-fat yogurt (1 ½)
TOTAL POINTS: 31/2

Lunch:
Ham, Tomato and Onion Bagel (4)
TOTAL POINTS: 4

Dinner:
1 small lean steak, grilled (3 points)
1 jacket potato (1 point) topped with light sour cream (1)
½ medium-size bread roll (1)
Steamed vegetables (Point free)
TOTAL POINTS: 6

Snacks:
Can total 4 ½ points, which will allow you to have an apple, ½ cup of skim milk for coffee or tea, 1 Weight Watchers Fruit Snack Pack, 6 Strawberry and Cream lollies (or 6 dried apricots) and I slice of wholemeal bread with low-joule jam.

NOW................WHAT'S FOR DINNER?

Chicken Breast with Cheese and Pine Nuts
Individual Low-cal Vanilla Strudel


- Angie K - caring for your health and well being
info@grocersonthego.com.au