For those of you familiar with the successful Weight Watchers diet, you’ll know that it is based on a points system. Rather than count calories, you keep track of the points assigned to foods, with the goal of keeping the points below a predetermined daily allowance. Exercise and regular activity also count for points, so you can increase your allowance each day with an active lifestyle.

Foods high in fiber and low in fat and calories have low point values on the Weight Watchers plan. Foods with excess fat, low fibre and lots of sugar can use up your daily points in a hurry.

You can use the following Weight Watchers Points Calculator to help determine the number of points in certain foods. Just enter the calorie count plus the amount of fibre and fat, and the calculator will give you a point value for that item. Most packaged foods will have this nutrional information printed on the label.

The chart on the right shows the typical Weight Watchers daily points allowance, based on body weight.