Weight Watchers Vs. Keto – Finding the Most Effective Weight Loss Plan

tape measure on scale weight loss

Are you getting fired up and motivated to lose some weight but stuck between choosing between Weight Watchers and Keto? Well, today’s your lucky day. In this post, you’ll learn the key differences between both weight loss diet programs to make an informed decision.

Both weight loss programs are quite similar in some ways. However, they share a different approach to helping you lose weight, all of which we would be discussing today. We’ll also go over the Modern Fit system in our comparison.

Here are some key factors to consider when you’re stuck between Weight Watcher and Keto includes:

Why It Works

Weight Watchers:

Healthy food choices and lifestyle, portion-controlled meals to reduce calories intake and physical activity.

Keto:

Severe restriction of carb intake with an increase in healthy fat consumption, which forces your body to use fat as fuel rather than glucose.  The keto diet relies on a special fuel called ketone bodies produced by the liver from stored fat.

Food Restriction?

Weight Watchers:

No food is off-limit to members of Weight Watchers. You can eat virtually anything you want as far as it is within the point allocated to you. The catch, however, is that you’re more likely to have a bite or two of what you want than have a full meal of it. Nutrisystem is all about controlling your portion size and reducing your calorie intake.

Keto:

Nothing is off-limits to you if you’re into Keto except for the severe carbs limitation. Following a ketogenic diet requires you to reduce your intake of carbs to 20g – 40g daily which isn’t much. You might have to let go of some of your favorite carbs that exceed this limit.

Calorie Counting

Weight Watchers:

The Weight Watchers diet uses the point system which assigns values to foods based on their fiber, fat and calorie contents. Currently, Weight Watchers uses the WW Freestyle system, which is based on the SmartPoints system. The SmartPoints system assigns values to foods based on factors such as calorie, sugar contents, fat, and protein. The WW Freestyle Point System also includes an addition of over 200 foods rated zero points (foods that don’t need to be counted or weighed).

The Point System is designed in such a way to encourage healthy food choices and promote a healthy lifestyle. For example, in the Weight Watcher new point system, a 230-calorie, glazed-yeast donut is 10 SmartPoints, while a yogurt topped with the same calories, topped with blueberries and granola has a  SmartPoints value of 2.

Keto:

There’s no calorie counting or tracking of any sort as far as the Keto diet is concerned. You’re free to eat what you want and when you want it until you get satiated. The only catch is that you have to make sure you reduce your carb intake to less than 40g and make certain healthy fats gets a larger portion of your meal (70% and above).

How Long Does It Take To See Result

Weight Watchers:

Shedding pounds following the Weight Watchers diet might take a while for you to start seeing results. If you’re looking to lose weight fast to help you fit into your suit or beach wear, you’re better off with other diet programs.

Keto:

Experiencing a significant weight loss within your first or second week of trying the Keto diet is not uncommon.  A keto diet forces your body to switch from using glucose (sugar) as your primary source of fuel to fat, which helps lose weight quickly

 Efficacy

Weight Watchers:

Weight Watchers is quite effective as a long-term weight loss method.

Keto:

Highly effective for short-term weight loss. If you need to lose some weight fast, then give keto a try.

Health Risk

Weight Watchers:

No significant risk.

Keto:

Due to the severe reduction of carbs intake in the Keto diet, Keto dieters might be at the risk of deficiency in micronutrient (selenium, phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamins B and C).

Exacerbation of Liver and Kidney Problem: for dieters suffering from an existing liver or kidney condition, going on a keto diet might worsen the problem.

Cost

Weight Watchers:

Not Free. You have to pay for a membership fee and also for purchasing their pre-packaged meals

Keto:

Totally free. No membership fee, no purchasing any pre-packaged meals or anything of the sort. This makes it easier for anyone who’ s on a budget and needs to lose weight.

Side Effects

Weight Watchers:

No significant side effects whatsoever.

Keto Diet:

You might experience some symptoms at the beginning of trying the Keto diet. The symptoms are quite similar to what you experience during a low carb diet. Symptoms include Bad breath, Keto flu, fatigue, sugar cravings, muscle cramps, decreased bone density, constipation, sleep issues, and heart palpitation.

Sustainability

Weight Watchers:

The Weight Watchers promotes a healthy way of eating without any food restriction, which makes it a bit sustainable than Keto. However, portion-sized meals and calories counting is still a big part of Weight Watchers you will have to live with and adapt to your lifestyle.

Keto:

Except if you’re willing to forgo bread, pasta, legumes, cereals, and a majority of the carbs you eat on a daily basis forever, the Keto diet isn’t sustainable over a long period. The keto diet is usually followed for a short-term goal, after which you look for a sustainable diet plan you can ease into without difficulties.

Convenience

According to the U.S News health expert on the best diets to follow, Weight Watchers was ranked as one of the top 3 easiest diets to lose weight while Keto was ranked as the #38 best diet with the easiest diet to lose weight.

Is It For Everyone?

Keto Diet:

Keto dieting might not be for everyone. For those who have a kidney or liver condition, the keto diet might add more strain on the organs.

Weight Watchers:

Anyone can try the Weight Watcher program.

Social Support

Weight Watchers:

Dedicated Wellness workshops, one-on-one support, and coaches, 24/7 online chat access to an expert, customer service, exclusive social network with other members for motivation and inspiration.

Keto:

Diets covered by blogs of flowers, physician, and nutritionist well-written literature, online communities and trending topics.

If you’re looking for something that’s more fitting to your lifestyle you may also consider the Modern Fit program. The program comes with tailored meal and fitness plans, so you know exactly what to eat and what exercises to do. Food isn’t restricted, rather, the meal plan and “if it fits in your macros” idea gives insight into healthy choices. Individuals can see weight loss within weeks, with no side effects. It’s realistic and for everyone! Modern Fit can even take your diet type, like keto, and create a meal plan just for you. Sign up with Modern Fit today!

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