From: NY Times

Weight Watchers began unveiling its first major overhaul to its cultlike points system, prompting the 750,000 members who attend weekly meetings across the United States — and some one million online adherents — to rethink how they shop, cook and eat.  The new plan, company officials say, is based on scientific findings about how the body processes different foods.

Changes:
1. All fruits and most vegetables are point-free
2. Processed foods generally have higher point values
3. Daily / weekly allotments based on food item's make-up (more confusing) - not body type


Under the old system, for example, the average new member of Weight Watchers was allotted 22 daily points and an extra 35 weekly points. Now, the average new member is allotted 31 daily points and 49 weekly points.

“It’s a complete overhaul; it doesn’t get any bigger than this,” said Karen Miller-Kovach, the chief scientific officer for Weight Watchers International. “Fifteen years ago we said a calorie is a calorie is a calorie. If you ate 100 calories of butter or 100 calories of chicken, it was all the same. Now, we know that is not the case, in terms of how hard the body has to work to make that energy available. And even more important is that where that energy comes from affects feelings of hunger and fullness.”

Weight Watchers officials say the new plan has been in the works for three years and was tested in pilot programs throughout the country over the past year. Ms. Miller-Kovach said that pilot programs showed that, while members ate different foods, their caloric intake was roughly the same and they lost at least as much if not more.


For full story, click HERE. www.weightwatchers.com
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