Looking for a no-fuss way to slim down? Then we’ve got the perfect hack for you. Created by 110-pounds-slimmer Sara Borgstede for her blog TheHolyMess.com, the gist is this: For three days, you eat only options found on Weight Watchers’ ZeroPoint foods list. That’s all there is to it. The list is free whether you belong to the group or not, and you don’t have to track or measure anything — just eat your fill of ZeroPoint pancakes, chili, even burgers. “It’s a way I discovered to kick-start my own weight loss, and I thought it would be nice to share,” says Sara, 50. “At first, I was shocked by how many people were interested.” Read on to see how it could help you.
What are ZeroPoint foods?
If you’ve ever tried Weight Watchers – now officially called WW – you likely know all about the points system. For those unfamiliar, here's how it works: Each food is assigned a point value based on calories, vitamins, minerals and overall nutrition. Every day, you’re given a point allowance that you can “spend” on whatever foods you want.
But there are also a large variety of ZeroPoint foods that you can eat as much as you want of. The list of over 200 options is so nutritious, they don’t count towards your point total at all (click through for the full list). That means you can enjoy scrambled eggs, hearty bean chili and even turkey meatballs without weighing, measuring, tracking or dipping into your allotted points. And creating menus with exclusively ZeroPoint foods takes all the guesswork out of slimming. Plus, if you’re diabetic, WW has created a ZeroPoint foods list with fewer carbs and more protein and fiber, key nutrients for balancing blood sugar. (Click through to learn how viscous fiber triggers weight loss.)
“I absolutely love ZeroPoint foods because they let you eat a large amount without having to think about it,” says Sara. “And the results are exciting. My zero-point plan helps me lose faster today than when I first went on Weight Watchers.”
Related: 6 Science-Backed Tips to Lose Weight Faster on Weight Watchers — Or Any Diet
What makes ZeroPoint foods special
Experts are equally enthusiastic about the powers of ZeroPoint foods. “Everything you need for healthy weight loss is on the list. Fiber and antioxidants from fruit and veggies, good fat from seafood, high-quality protein from yogurt and poultry,” notes Robert James Malcolm III, MD., a Pennsylvania gastroenterologist who recommends ZeroPoint foods to patients hoping to get lean and achieve overall good health. “There’s even nutrient-packed starch from beans and corn. This is not a low-carb list or a deprivation list. It’s a smart list.”
But if you’re allowed unlimited ZeroPoint foods, how can you avoid overeating? The experts at Weight Watchers recommend sticking to your typical portions and adjusting as needed. So, if you typically eat two eggs for breakfast, eat two eggs for breakfast. If you notice that you’re still hungry later, eat another one. It’s that simple!
How ZeroPoint foods increase weight loss
All ZeroPoint foods are natural or very minimally processed. And exciting research suggests that’s their superpower. During a massive study designed to determine whether low-carb or low-fat diets work best, Stanford University scientists analyzed thousands of food logs only to find carb and fat content didn’t matter at all. Instead, participants who chose the fewest processed foods lost up to 60 pounds and experienced significant improvements in blood sugar and blood pressure, while those who chose more processed options gained up to 20 pounds. No one counted calories either — when they ate whole foods, they lost big. (Click through to learn about mindful eating for weight loss.)
Why are whole foods so effective? As the Stanford team notes, they don’t contain ingredients proven to drive hunger, like refined sugar, flour, salt and processed oils. By contrast, “whole foods boast fiber and other nutrients that prompt us to eat less,” notes Dr. Malcolm.
ZeroPoint foods before & after: Sara Borgstede, 50
“I was heavy even as a 3-year-old,” recalls Sara Borgstede, 50, who failed at countless diets before trying WW’s Point System. “ZeroPoint foods helped me from the get-go. They let me have a large volume of ‘free’ food, and I need that to stay satisfied.” The mom of five started TheHolyMess.com to share tips and stay motivated as she shrunk from a size 26 to a 12, and now hundreds of thousands of people visit the site for advice, especially her ZeroPoint detox. “Seeing their weight loss has been incredibly exciting!”
ZeroPoint foods success story: Dawn Kellam, 67
Pastor Dawn Kellam just started using WW’s online program when she found Sara’s blog. “She gives good advice. So when I read about her three-day plan, I figured I’d try it,” says the Pennsylvania grandmother, 67. “Before that, the most I’d lost was 2 pounds in a week. On the zero-point plan, I lost 10 pounds in three days! I kept telling my husband to check the scale to make sure it was right.” Dawn says she wasn’t hungry once and still relies heavily on ZeroPoint foods. “My pain is better, and I’m so much less tired,” she shares. “It also showed me which healthy foods can help me lose weight quickly.”
ZeroPoint foods meal ideas
To use this detox, simply eat your fill of ZeroPoint foods, including virtually any minimally processed fruit, nonstarchy veggie, corn, beans, plain nonfat yogurt, eggs, seafood or poultry. Find the full list here. Add herbs and spices freely; drink plenty of water. If desired, include coffee, tea and zero-cal sweeteners in moderation. As always, get a doctor’s okay to try any new plan.
Breakfast: Enjoy eggs, any style, with a side of your favorite veggies roasted with cooking spray and seasoning to taste.
Lunch: Brown 1 lb. ground chicken; add 1 can tomatoes, 1 can beans, 6 oz. tomato paste and 1 Tbs. chili powder; simmer 15 minutes.
Snack: Rinse and dry 1 can chickpeas. Mist with cooking spray, toss with seasoning; bake on a lined sheet at 400ºF 45 minutes; stir twice.
Dinner: Roast chicken (no skin) and veggies with herbs; serve with steamed cauliflower mashed with Greek yogurt and salt.
For more tips that make slimming down easier, check out these stories:
The 2-Ingredient Iced Tea Proven To Power Off Over-50 Midsection Fat — Fast!
MDs Say ‘Reverse Dieting’ Can Work Better Than Keto to Burn Off Stubborn, Over-50 Fat
This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.
A version of this article originally appeared in our print magazine, Woman's World.
