<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

I just returned to WW a month ago. I am doing it online. I *hated* counting
points before but now I have an iPhone and the smart phone apps for WW make
it ridiculously easy to do, anywhere, any time. I eat everything GF, as
before, but if there is a difference (i.e., rice pasta instead of whole
wheat), I just use the points they have for whatever the gluten version is.
They have a calculator so you can figure points very easily from any
nutrition panel on any packaged food. Overestimating points is not a
problem. Anyone (GF) can do this! The system works, regardless of what
exactly you can or cannot eat. I highly recommend trying WW for just the
reason you are considering it. I'd recommend doing it online, too, in case
getting to a meeting is a problem. 

 

Yes, weight watchers is easily done on a gluten free diet.  I have been
doing weight watchers for a little over a year And have successfully lost 45
lbs.  the online tools has a section of gluten free recipes, and the recipe
builder will allow you to determine the point value of your favorite
recipes.  Most of the weight watchers foods contain gluten, but we have our
own snacks and such that work fine with the points plus values.  


I have done weight watchers and lost the weight I was wanting to lose and
have maintained for 2 years.  I don't think counting points will be a
problem except if you do your own recipes it is hard to get accurate count
because they don't have the flours we have to use for baking.  Where I go
for meetings are not helpful as far as gluten free is concerned.  I do think
you can lose your weight by doing the diets and the points plus system.

 

I've done WW successfully and have a child with Celiac's so I cook for the
entire family as if we all were.  Anyhow, WW is all about portion control (I
measure my food) and eating healthy. An example of my breakfast would be: A
boiled egg, maybe 1-2 GF toast and a cup of tea or maybe an egg white omelet
on a GF toasted muffin and a cup of tea.  There are so many choices. You
just pick what's right for you and what you like.  Dinner: grilled/baked
salmon, 1 cup of rice and side of veggie. 

 

I have done weight watchers in the past.  I'm not gluten free but both of my
boys have Celiac so I prepare gluten free meals and completely understand
the gluten free diet.  There are two Weight Watchers programs.  One is just
a point system.  The other is called Core.  It basically is a gluten free
diet.  All fruits, vegetables, and some meats are considered "core" foods so
they don't cost points and you can eat unlimited amounts.  Then you are
allowed 35 points for the week to eat whatever you want. That's where your
desserts or processes foods fall. Any gluten free food should be fine to eat
in limited amounts. I do wonder if you'd have more difficulty finding the
brands in their point books, but they have a point calculator that is easy
to use on any food with a label.  In my opinion, doing the core version of
Weight Watchers is a perfect way for a gluten free person to diet! One
warning: they have their own food products you can buy. You don't need to
purchase their foods to do the diet (it's mostly for convenience). I'd
suspect that these foods are not gluten free.

 

They will not help you with this overtly because it's considered a medical
condition and they could be sued. HOWEVER, you can certainly use WW
successfully as a GF eater. The good thing about WW is that you really can
eat "normal" food, i.e., the food you normally eat. The things that make it
work are portion control (points), tracking, and getting in enough water. I
would say the most important part is actually the tracking, then the water.
They have a GF "cheat sheet" on their online site from "Hungry Girl but if
you've been GF for any length of time, you know what to eat. What they sent
to you is their canned response. I highly recommend trying WW for just the
reason you are considering it. I'd recommend doing it online, too, in case
getting to a meeting is a problem. 

 

Your health provider won't have the foggiest idea how to adapt your GF diet
to WeightWatchers.  In fact, he probably doesn't know much about the
gluten-free diet. A dietitian might be able to help, but she/he will
probably want you to follow her/his guidelines, not WW. Celiacs can do
WeightWatchers, of course.  The WW points are based on label nutrition
values.  You can look at any label (whether GF or not) and figure out the
point value with your WW calculator.  The total points for the day are based
on your current weight, just like everybody else. Then we have, I think, 49
points to distribute through the week or one splurge on the weekend,
perhaps. You can do this yourself.. 

 

The program is very compatible with a gluten-free diet. It emphasizes
vegetables, fruit, legumes, whole grains (just avoid the few that are not
gluten-free) and de-emphasizes processed food. It is really a very healthy
diet and I feel so much better! I've cut way back on processed food and
sugar and increased the exercise. Weight Watchers even has a program handout
on the gluten-free diet as well as ones for diabetes, vegetarian, and
others.

 

Here is a discussion group of people who are doing weight watchers gluten
free. http://community.weightwatchers.ca/Groups/GroupPage.aspx?sid=1022338.
From what I understand, you won't get much help from WW themselves, and if
your doctor is anything like most I've met, they don't know enough about the
GF diet to help.

 

I am a lifetime member and can tell you that it fits my celiac requirements
perfectly.  I encourage you to go to a meeting - you do not have to join to
attend.  The food products they sell at the meeting are not gluten free for
the most part.  It is very easy to find gf replacements, so not a worry.  I
too was concerned that I may not be able to "fit in" the program, but it was
a great decision for me to get my weight under control.  Weight Loss Boss is
a book that the CEO wrote - it is available at the public library and may
give you a better insight to the program.

 

Thanks to everyone for all your input and information. I really appreciate
it.

 

Carol in NJ

 


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