Fun With Weight Watchers Points

There is a site I use for reference when I need help with knowing how many points certain foods have. It was been a very valuable tool in helping me make healthy choices. I have tested some of the values and most of them are almost dead on within a half a point.

Here are some of the more eclectic values for those whose tastes run towards the adventurous:

Emu,cooked

1 oz.

1

Butter,regular

1 cup

51

Now *there's* a tasty treat eaten only while calling the cardiologist

Frog's legs,fried

2 (3 oz. with bone)

4

because really, fried WITHOUT the bone?... how gauche

Armadillo,cooked

1 oz.

1

Beaver,cooked

1 oz.

1

(insert joke here....)

Brewer's yeast

1 tsp.

0

Now, who is eating this as a snack?

Buffalo, water cooked

1 oz.

1

God knows, you wouldn't want to fry this to make it even tastier.....

Caribou,cooked

1 oz.

1

the point value that every overweight lion needs to have as a reference

Cholent

1 1/2 cups

5

I just felt every Jew reading this... shiver with disgust

Raccoon,cooked

1 oz.

2

apparently a beaver is leaner

Squirrel,cooked

1 oz.

1

hhhummmm - there is plenty of free food in my parking lot

As much fun as the listing of food can be - it really is a valuable tool in making decisions.

Saturday Spotlight

In late July 2005, I came across an old work folder that contained a copy of the original Weight Watchers points sytem. I really needed to drop about 30 lbs and I guess that was the perfect sign that it was the right time to get started. At just about 5' 9", I'm tall, so I carried the extra weight fairly well, but definitely did not feel good about myself. By late October I had reached my goal weight and was very proud of keeping my promise to myself. I felt and looked great.

I kept all of it off for well over a year and a half - but a couple of weeks ago, I realized that slowly some of the weight crept back. Not a lot, but enough for me to start the plan again. I did just that about a week and a half ago and I have dropped 3 lbs. One of the keys is that you must write everything down. The visual is what keeps you on track.

After some great alternate food suggestions from a friend, I have incorporated some different things into my diet and expanded my circle of choices. I am now eating even healthier than I did during the initial effort.

Part of what this program instilled in me is the capability to realize when my eating habits change and why. Invaluable - and not just physically. It makes it easy to go back to it and maintain when I need to.

I have several friends that are on (and off) the program with different amounts to lose and maintain, and they have all been successful.