How to do a Zero Point Day
This is one of the most common questions I get asked: how to do a zero point day may seem stressful but it doesn't have to be. Here's a list of zero point Weight Watchers meals to keep you happy and full on your zero point day adventure.
How to do a Zero Point Day
YES! A zero-point day on Weight Watchers can be done and you won't starve! This is not something you want to do long term. You want to keep track of your points and utilize the Wellness that Works system because it works and is a lifestyle change, not a diet. That being said, let's say you have been using Weight Watchers and have had success but have not counted points because of the holidays or a birthday party and now you are off track. To jumpstart your weight loss and get you back into the habit, you may want to try doing a zero-point day.
Planning
First thing's first, the 200+ zero point food list is mostly fruits, veggies, and lean protein. You won't find many carbs on the list. If you are a carboholic like I am, it may be tougher than for someone who isn't as prone to consuming carbs.
Plan your breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Get your ingredients together and pre-make your meals if you can. I don't mind making breakfast so I don't usually pre-make that meal. Lunch and dinner I like to meal prep for so I don't have to spend as much time on it. Don't forget snacks and desserts! The great thing about Weight Watchers is you don't have to cut out food groups and you still lose weight. This is what makes the weight Watchers program so effective. So your first step is to plan your meals out for the day.
Sleep
Now that you have your Weight Watchers meals planned out, make sure you get a good night's sleep. Sleep is very important to weight loss. It helps your body to recover from the day's work. Rest your mind and body, this helps to keep you healthy and helps your body to get ready to become a fat burning machine.
Poor sleep has repeatedly been linked to a higher body mass index (BMI) and weight gain. Short sleep duration increases the likelihood of obesity by 89% in children and 55% in adults. That is a huge factor in gaining weight. Sleep is essential, so let's regulate our sleep patterns and get on to losing weight.
Pro tip: Use your FitBit to track your sleep patterns.
Weight Watchers not working?
Read about my (successful) Noom experience!
Zero Point Weight Watchers Breakfasts
What are you going to eat for breakfast? Make sure is it full of protein! This will help you to get your day off to a great start and kick start your metabolism.
I can't emphasize this enough: don't overeat just because they are zero point foods! That being said watch your serving sizes. You are doing this to achieve a goal so keep that in mind also. Here are some fantastic breakfast ideas that are 0 points.
Weight Watchers Pancakes with Apple Butter
Zero Point Weight Watchers Lunches
You got breakfast done, and now on to lunch. Lunch is important to keep you fueled up and your body operating as a fat-burning machine. It is very important what you decide to eat for lunch. I recommend lots of protein-rich foods and low carbs. Carbs turn to sugar in the body and have a tendency to give us a “sugar high” followed by a crash.
We want our minds and bodies to be operating at our peak so we have to feed it food that helps that along. Some carbs are good at this meal but there has to be balanced and I recommend fewer carbs here so that you are not crashing after lunch and fighting to make it through the day, or heading to Starbucks. This is a zero-point day so let's do it right.
You can combine a few ideas and still be at 0 points and feel full. Here are some zero point meal ideas for lunch that I know you are going to love.
Zero Point Weight Watchers Dinners
Dinner is usually the last meal of the day. For dinner, a good balance of proteins and carbs is essential to help you sleep well and help your body to rest and get ready for another awesome day. Another point about dinner is you want it to be filling to help curb the urge to snack at night.
Snacks are good when you eat healthier ones in moderation but with a well-balanced dinner the urges to snack will begin to diminish over time. You may still want to snack and with Weight Watchers points you can 🙂 but as this program teaches it is important to eat in moderation. Here are some great dinner ideas that are 0 points and ready for you to make and enjoy.
Zero Point Snacks
Snack time is a great family bonding time, whether you're watching TV or just hanging with the kids. Here are some healthy alternatives that will get through the 0 point day and help you stay on track. These are also great when you are counting points and need to get through a stressful evening and don't want to let the days stress cause you to get off track.
- Instant Pot Hummus
- Cucumber Egg Bites
- Refried Bean Dip
- Roasted Red Pepper Dip with Veggie Sticks
Zero Point Desserts
The best thing you'll eat all day: dessert! I love desserts but my waistline doesn't. Luckily there are some delicious alternatives to the high point desserts we are used to. Here are a few zero-point desserts that will not fill you with carbs and will keep you on track to that 0 point day.
Yes, a zero-point day can be done! This is a great way to jump-start your weight loss journey, and an easy way to let your body know even though you are changing some things it will still be fed and feel full. Good luck to everyone on your journey please share ideas and successes.
Should I Do a Zero Point Day?
Our WW friend, Barrett Pastor, did a video about her zero point, zero carb day. We're loving it!
Doing a zero-point day with Weight Watchers is a personal choice. As you've probably seen on Pinterest and Facebook, some folks do zero-point WEEKS. I am not that extreme and believe in more balance – plus I need a few more carbs than a zero-point day offers, or I'm crabby. So for my wife's sake and mine, I eat my points each day. 😉 If you decide to eat zero points for the day, stay hydrated and keep moving… don't sit around. You've got this!
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