What Are SmartPoints and How Do They Work?

The Weight Watchers (WW) SmartPoints system is a core component of their modern programs, designed to guide members toward healthier eating patterns. Unlike older systems that focused primarily on calories, SmartPoints consider a broader range of nutritional information to assign a single, simple number to foods and beverages.

How SmartPoints are Calculated

SmartPoints are calculated based on four key components:

• Calories: Form the baseline of the calculation.
• Saturated Fat: Increases the SmartPoints value, as these are fats to limit.
• Sugar: Also increases the SmartPoints value, encouraging lower sugar intake.
• Protein: Lowers the SmartPoints value, promoting foods higher in protein which can help with satiety.

The exact formula is proprietary to WW, but the principle is that foods higher in sugar and saturated fat will have more SmartPoints, while foods higher in protein will have fewer SmartPoints for the same number of calories. This encourages choices like lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, and lentils.

You can use our dedicated SmartPoints Calculator to see how these values affect the point count for specific foods.

Why SmartPoints?

The SmartPoints system aims to simplify healthy eating by:

• Nudging towards healthier choices: By making less healthy options "cost" more in points.
• Promoting satiety: Prioritizing protein and fiber (indirectly, as high fiber foods are often lower in sugar/sat fat).
• Flexibility: Members receive a daily and weekly SmartPoints budget, allowing for treats and special occasions.

Tips for Using SmartPoints

• Track everything: Honesty is key to making the system work for you.
• Utilize ZeroPoint™ foods: These are foods that don't need to be tracked and can form the foundation of your meals. (Check our ZeroPoint Foods List!)
• Plan ahead: Use a meal planner to stay within your budget.
• Don't fear weekly points: They are there to be used for flexibility.

Understanding SmartPoints is a great first step towards successfully navigating the WW program and achieving your wellness goals.