ZeroPoint food spotlight: a closer look at beans and lentils (2024)

FAQs

Are lentils zero points on WeightWatchers? ›

Filling, highly nutritious, and inexpensive, beans and lentils are so much more than just a basic pantry staple. Plus, on WeightWatchers they are a ZeroPoint food, meaning you don't need to weigh, measure, or track them!

These pantry staples are high in fiber and protein—a nutrient combo that can make you feel satisfied longer. Even if they're not on your ZeroPoint™ foods list, beans and legumes have a low Points value, making them ideal bases for main dishes and standouts as sides.

Yes! Pastas and noodles made with flours from legumes and whole grains will be a ZeroPoint food.

According to Weight Watchers, beans and other Zero Point foods belong at the center of healthy eating patterns and there is no reason to measure or limit these foods.

The panel's recommendations expanded an existing list of 19 zero-rated food items, including brown bread, fruits, vegetables, dried beans, rice, lentils, maize meal, milk, eggs, fish, mealie rice, and vegetable oil. Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work.

Full of fiber and protein, these foods also support overall health, keep you full, and bulk up and add flavor to your meals. And, of course, you can eat as much as you like.

Navy Beans

Regularly eating navy beans may improve certain health parameters, such as body weight, blood sugar, and lipid levels. Their high protein and fiber content could help support weight loss and reduce blood sugar and blood lipid levels.

If I remove the skin from rotisserie chicken breast, is it a ZeroPoint food? Yes, as long as you're eating just the breast meat.

A small study found that a high-fiber, bean-rich diet increased satiation and reduced hunger. Beans also stimulate the production of the gut hormone cholecystokinin (CCK), which slows gastric emptying and can help to suppress appetite, research has shown. All of these benefits may lead to weight loss.

Plain oats—no matter the type—are a ZeroPoint food.

Are potatoes 0 points on WeightWatchers? ›

Why members love the Purple food plan. "I love the fact that potatoes, whole grain rice and pasta are ZeroPoint foods on Purple. In the past I treated carbs as the enemy and believed you couldn't eat them and lose weight. Because they're ZeroPoint foods, it gave me the confidence to eat and enjoy them again.

That means if you previously had brown rice, or avocado, or wheat pasta, or potatoes as ZeroPoints, those will no longer be zero. That doesn't mean you can't eat them anymore (you can use your Points allowance however you like!), but you will have to count points for them.

Here's a list of all the ZeroPoint foods in the category. Beans, peas, and lentils are loaded with fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Cook 'em up in a chili, toss them into a salad for a meat-free protein boost, or purée them with garlic and olive oil for a tasty dip.

Every WeightWatchers member* gets the same list of over 200 ZeroPoint foods including: non-starchy veggies, fruit, eggs, yoghurt & cottage cheese, fish & shellfish, chicken & turkey breast, tofu & tempeh, corn & popcorn, and beans, peas, & lentils.

If I remove the skin from rotisserie chicken breast, is it a ZeroPoint food? Yes, as long as you're eating just the breast meat.

Plain oats—no matter the type—are a ZeroPoint food.