Calculating Points

  • I went on the "Fast Food" site here, looking for the points for subs. I like to occasionally have a sub for lunch, so thought that 6 points, or so, wouldn't be a bad investment for a special treat now and then.

    Yesterday, after finishing my meatball sub of course, I decided to check the Mr. Sub website for the specific nutritional value for my meatball sub - without sauce, but including a half slice of cheese. I eat Mr. Sub subs, so prior to this, I was using the Subway points from this site as a guide. Here is what I found for a small sub:

    Subway: Calories - 508, Fat - 27
    Mr. Sub: Calories - 488, Fat - 19.7

    There is no fibre category on the company sites, so I used the fibre count from this site. That figure is 3.

    So, my point calculation is:

    Subway: 12
    Mr. Sub: 11

    Needless to say, I was stunned and didn't eat anything for the rest of the day. However, when I though about it overnight, I was wondering if I had calculated the points correctly. Perhaps someone could set me straight.

    When I looked at the Subway web site again, there is a figure for calories derived from fat. If this figure is used to calculate the WW points, it comes out to between 6 and 7 points, making the points in the fast food guide accurate. Sooo, should I be calculating the points using the calories derived from fat, or should I be calculating the points based on total calories - it makes a big differenc? At this point, I am confused.
  • It's total calories/total fat/total fiber. You must use all the calories so it is the higher one.
  • When you calculate points based on the nutritional information provided, you use the following information:

    1. TOTAL CALORIES OF THE FOOD (not calories from fat)
    2. TOTAL FAT in grams (NOT sat fat/unsat fat.)
    3. FIBER in grams (If no fiber is listed, assume zero.)

    (you aren't a WW member are you? not a problem -- but if you were, you'd know this from a good Getting Started Session. It would have been explained...!) Hope this helps...
  • I guess my next comment would be:

    Be wary of the points values listed for fast foods. The values for many of the subs (I haven't checked them all) are not correct. They appear to be about 1/2 of the true point value.

    Thanks for straightening out the dilemma.
  • The point values given are for the 6 inch subs...it sounds like you are calculating the whole 12 inch one.
  • I was careful to ensure that I was comparing the same size subs. The figures that were listed were for 6" subs. I thought of that before I posted.

    I think maybe a mistake was made in the calculations and the calories derived from fat were used, rather than the total calories. That was why I was questioning, because I was instructed to use the total calories and when I did the double check to satisfy my own need, I discovered that, points calculated from the nutiritional info posted on the Subway web site, do not match the points listed for Subway subs on this web site. This is comparing a 6" sub to a 6" sub.

    However, I think that I am straight now, and again caution people to use those figures as a guide. Some of them are out by 6 - 7 points. I think that is too big a mistake to make when counting the number of points each day.

    Thanks, everyone, for your help.
  • I've never looked for points here. I've always used the nutritional information provided on the websites or used Dotti's site: http://www.dottisweightlosszone.com/restaurants.html
  • Thanks for the resource, Kelly. I browsed through and check a couple of the points. They are very helpful.
  • P.S. A 6" meatball sub from Subway on Dotti's site is listed as 11.5 points, compared to 6 points listed on the fast food guide.
  • Sweet Tooth - What fast food guide are you refering to?? My Dining Out Companion (both Winning Points & 123 Success) indicate that a 6" Meatball Sub at Subway is 12 points. Mine's right at least, not sure where you're seeing 6 points.

    LE
  • On the Home Page for 3 Fat Chicks...., the first section is called food. Under it are several categories, one of which is fast good guide. That is where the points for a Subway 6" meatball sub are listed at 1/2 of the actual value. They are listed as 6 points, when, in fact, they are 11.5.

    I have only had two of these little puppies as a special treat, but before checking the actual point value, I did count one as 6 points. Oh well, I now know that I should double check before I put in my mouth. hehehe