Weight Watchers, now known as WW, and the keto diet are two popular weight-loss approaches. While both have been shown to be effective for short-term weight loss, they are very different in their methods. WW is a commercial weight-loss program that has been around for decades and is based on a points system, allowing followers to eat any food they want in moderation. In contrast, the keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that aims to get the body into a state of ketosis, where it burns fat for fuel. This diet is more restrictive and may be challenging to stick to in the long term. Ultimately, the best weight-loss plan depends on individual needs, preferences, and lifestyle.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Cost | Weight Watchers: $12–$34 per month, plus the cost of groceries |
Keto: $10 to $22 per meal | |
Food restrictions | Weight Watchers: No off-limits foods |
Keto: No bread, pasta, crackers, fruit, starchy vegetables, grains, milk, yoghurt, legumes | |
Weight loss | Weight Watchers: Effective for weight loss, but WW funded many of the studies |
Keto: Effective for short-term weight loss | |
Health | Weight Watchers: May reduce heart disease and diabetes risk factors |
Keto: May reduce blood sugar levels and spikes, but may increase cholesterol | |
Support | Weight Watchers: Offers in-person workshops, online community, and coaching |
Keto: Informal support online |
What You'll Learn
Weight Watchers is now known as WW
Nidetch introduced the "Prudent Diet", a single-page diet plan from the New York City Board of Health, to her fellow weight-loss seekers. The group provided empathy, rapport, mutual understanding, support, and sharing of stories and ideas. It also included a weekly weigh-in, and Nidetch developed a rewards system with prizes for weight-loss milestones. By October 1962, Nidetch had achieved her target weight of 142 pounds and maintained her weight loss.
As interest in the group grew, Nidetch began coaching groups in other neighbourhoods. With the help of Al and Felice Lippert, who had successfully lost weight through her program, Nidetch launched Weight Watchers Inc. in 1963. They rented public meeting venues and charged participants $2 per weekly meeting. By January 1968, the company had more than one million members worldwide.
In 2018, the company rebranded to "WW" to reflect its shift in focus from weight loss to overall health and wellness. Today, WW offers weight loss and maintenance, fitness, and mindset services, with a subscription-based program of support and a variety of purchasable products, media, services, and technologies. The company's primary sources of income are subscriptions to the program, as well as Weight Watchers–branded services and products.
WW's weight-loss program is based on a points system, with each food and beverage assigned a point value based on its nutritional content. The program also includes zero-point foods, which do not need to be tracked and can be eaten in unlimited quantities. While the program has undergone changes over the years, it continues to be a popular and effective approach to weight loss for many people.
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WW is a paid program
WW (Weight Watchers) is a paid program that offers a structured, commercial diet focused on weight loss, healthy eating, and lifestyle habits. The program is based on a points system, where each food and beverage is assigned a point value based on its nutritional content. While WW is not free, it offers built-in social support at all paid levels of the program. The cost of WW can vary depending on the level of support chosen, ranging from a digital-only plan to options that include in-person workshops, online chat, or personal coaching. Monthly fees for WW typically range from around $20 to $55.
In contrast, the keto diet is not a commercial diet program and does not require a subscription or payment. It is an eating pattern that emphasizes a low-carb, high-fat approach. While keto does not have built-in support like WW, there are online communities and informal connections with fellow keto followers that can provide support and motivation.
The WW program offers flexibility, allowing members to eat any food they want as long as they stay within their points allotment. This can be beneficial for those who value the flexibility of eating a variety of foods. The points system also encourages members to make healthier food choices, as foods that are lower in calories, saturated fat, and sugar tend to have lower point values.
On the other hand, the keto diet is highly restrictive, requiring followers to drastically cut down on carbohydrates. This can be challenging to stick with over time and may not offer the same flexibility as WW in terms of food choices. However, keto can lead to quick initial weight loss, which can be motivating for some individuals.
While WW is a paid program with associated costs, it may offer advantages such as built-in support, flexibility, and a focus on portion control and healthier food choices. The keto diet, on the other hand, does not require payment but may be more challenging to maintain due to its restrictive nature.
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Keto is a free, restrictive eating pattern
The keto diet is restrictive and can be challenging to stick to. It cuts out entire food groups, including grains, milk, yogurt, legumes, and starchy vegetables. It also goes against the recommendations of most health experts, who suggest that carbohydrates should make up 45-65% of our diets, and that fat intake should be no more than 30% of our total calories.
The keto diet is also high in saturated fat, which can raise "bad" LDL cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease. There are concerns about the long-term health effects of the keto diet, particularly for people with certain medical conditions. It may not be safe for those with liver or kidney conditions, and it can cause side effects such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps, and rashes.
The keto diet may be more suitable for those with type 2 diabetes or other blood sugar management concerns, as it has been shown to lower fasting blood glucose and improve blood sugar control. It can also lead to rapid weight loss, which can be motivating for those trying to lose weight. However, much of the initial weight loss on the keto diet is due to water loss, which is quickly reversed when carbohydrates are reintroduced.
Overall, keto is a restrictive, challenging, and potentially unsafe diet that may not be suitable for everyone. It can be difficult to stick to over the long term due to its restrictive nature and the need to cut out entire food groups. While it may offer rapid weight loss and improved blood sugar control, there are concerns about its potential impact on heart health and long-term health effects.
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WW is a structured, balanced diet
WW, formerly known as Weight Watchers, is a structured, balanced diet. It is a commercial weight-loss programme that has been around for decades and is currently ranked as the #1 Best Diet for Weight Loss by U.S. News & World Report. The programme is built around the concept of moderation and portion control and uses a points-based system to encourage healthier food choices.
The points-based system, called SmartPoints, assigns a point value to every food and beverage based on its nutritional content. The system takes into account the calories, added sugar, saturated fat, unsaturated fat, protein, and fibre content of foods. The daily and weekly points targets are based on individual characteristics such as sex, weight, height, age, and activity level.
There are three colour-coded programs: Green, Blue, and Purple. These programs offer varying SmartPoints allowances and ZeroPoint foods, which are foods that can be consumed without counting towards the daily points target. Green allows for the most SmartPoints and includes over 100 ZeroPoint foods, mostly fruits and vegetables. Blue offers a moderate number of SmartPoints and includes 200+ ZeroPoint foods, including fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. Purple has the fewest SmartPoints but includes 300+ ZeroPoint foods, such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.
The WW Freestyle™ program, which is the most livable plan according to WW Canada, allows for flexibility and the ability to eat whatever one wants, including bread, as long as they stay within their points allotment. In addition to the points system, WW also provides support and guidance to its members. There are weekly in-person meetings, online communities, and access to wellness coaches and experts.
The structured nature of the WW program helps individuals make healthier food choices and practice moderation and portion control. It provides a simple method for tracking food intake and encourages the inclusion of a variety of food groups. The built-in support and flexibility of the programme may also contribute to its effectiveness and long-term sustainability.
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Both diets are effective for weight loss
Weight Watchers, now known as WW, and the keto diet are two popular weight loss diets. While they are very different approaches, both have been shown to be effective for weight loss.
WW is a commercial weight loss program that has been around for decades. It is a balanced diet that focuses on portion control and healthy eating habits. The program uses a points-based system, called SmartPoints, which assigns a point value to every food and beverage based on its nutritional content. This system encourages members to eat foods that are lower in calories, saturated fat, and sugar, and higher in protein and fibre. While there are no off-limits foods, the points system helps guide members towards healthier choices. WW also offers in-person and online support, which can be beneficial for weight loss motivation and accountability.
The keto diet, on the other hand, is a low-carb, high-fat diet. It restricts carbohydrates and encourages the consumption of foods rich in fat. By drastically reducing carbs, the body enters a state of ketosis, where it burns fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates. This can lead to quick weight loss, especially in the initial stages of the diet.
Both diets have their pros and cons, and the best approach for an individual depends on their personal needs and preferences. WW may be a better option for those who value flexibility and the built-in support of a structured program. It may also be a good choice for those looking for a more gradual and sustainable weight loss approach. On the other hand, keto may be preferable for those who want faster results and are comfortable with a more restrictive diet. It may also be a good option for those with type 2 diabetes or blood sugar management concerns, as it has been shown to improve blood sugar control.
While both diets can be effective for weight loss, it is important to consider the potential downsides. WW is a paid program, so costs can add up over time. The keto diet, meanwhile, can be challenging to stick to long-term due to its restrictive nature and the exclusion of certain healthy foods. Additionally, there are some potential long-term health concerns with the keto diet that have not yet been fully studied.
Ultimately, the choice between WW and keto depends on an individual's specific needs, preferences, and health considerations. Both diets can be effective tools for weight loss when followed consistently and in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle.
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Frequently asked questions
The keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that aims to get your body into a state of ketosis, where it burns stored body fat for energy. The Weight Watchers diet, on the other hand, is a balanced diet that uses a points-based system to encourage healthier food choices and portion control.
The keto diet includes foods such as eggs, butter, unprocessed cheese, avocados, meat, low-carb vegetables, nuts and seeds, and fatty cuts of meat like beef or bacon.
Weight Watchers is a flexible and sustainable diet that doesn't restrict any foods. It also offers built-in social support and has been proven effective for weight loss in several studies.
The keto diet is very restrictive and may be difficult to stick to long-term. It also excludes many healthy foods, and there are some potential long-term health concerns that have not yet been fully studied.