Much ToDo About Bread on Core Plan
 

OK. WW has options. We can choose. But I do wish people who don't choose the core plan would stop making it into a "restrictive, do and don't, not a life-style but a diet" monster that might scare some newcomers off. A lot of fuss was made about the no bread and 1 starch a day. Let's face it, how much bread do you really eat a day? If it wasn't for the 2 slices for 1 point bread, how many would have included it on the points plan? I doubt many of us would have spent a precious 4 or 5 points to have bread on a sandwich. No we would have eaten our tuna salad on lettuce. How many high point rolls are we eating on a daily basis? How many times a day did we eat a starchy vegetable on Points? Probably once at the evening meal. Would we have eaten potatoes and rice at the same meal? No, because it would have cost us too many points! Healthy eating tells you to have a protein, one starch, lots of green and yellow veggies and 1 serving of grain (bread) and fruit for dessert. This is what a dinner should consist of. So you have to use 1 or 2 flex points for the bread--you have 35 a week or 5 a day!
I suspect the woes about the plan is that it ELIMINATES the junk food that everyone has been incorporating into the points and flex plan. Yes, you can lose weight (calorie restriction) but if it is truly about a "way of eating for life" the junk food should be eliminated. That's where the extra weight and health problems comes from--not from eating all the veggies and fruits you want every day.
I for one welcome the chance to eat all the healthy food I want to, in reasonable portions, and still have the option to use fex points for a special occasion.
Just my feelings on the subject.

I have a Western Alternative for breakfast with my smoothie; I have a sandwich or another item such as a tortilla for lunch, I have bread with dinner usually as a side or for my hamburger or hotdog buns...all of this for about 3-4 points a day well within the carb allotment on the PointsPie. Actually for the most part I do not use DIET BREAD. I use real bread and do spend the points.

I tend to spend the points on some starchy veggies with rice or potatoes twice a day.

I use all my FPs each week as well as all my APs and still manage to eat all colors within my fruits and veggies in variety...green, yellow, red, blue/purple, white.

While I do make room for a snack (usually 1-2 points a day some sometimes those snacks are fruit) daily I do eat healthy and not waste points on junk.

I feel there are problems with both programs for example with FlexPlan it is many people waste points and junk and do not eat healthy this is where incorporating much of the Core Foods into the plan needs to be stressed and with CorePlan it is many people do not know that satisfied (even if there is a list of what satisified is) does not mean stuffed this is where the portion control of Flex needs to be stressed.

I for one could eat until satisified and still be way over in calories. I know many like that.

The point is to find a program that you yourself can be responisible for following and will keep you satisified.

I have never been hungry on Flex - ever - and completely satisified know I got in healthy foods (I don't even eat SmartOnes or LeanCuisines or the like very often --- like 1-2 times a year when I forget my lunch and I run to the store to get something) within my points.

I'm sorry wasting my FPs on bread is not my idea of a lifestyle change especially when I need points to eat out 3 or more times a week because of my lifestyle (can't make it back home to the country from the city on bowling nights <3 nights a week>).

I feel that the Core plan was made for ME! When I do the points I get too obsessed about the point value, or to get a higher amount of food. I make really unhealthy choices in order to stay within point ranges. Highly processed foods and sugars are a huge trigger for me. Pria bars and healthy snack bars have their place, and it's good that they are available. But, for me, they are major triggers. I want to stick with WW, and support them. I believe in WW's philosophy and stance on health.

I see the Core as being a tool for me that will help me focus on more "whole" foods, to make me really focus on not over-eating, and make me stop and think more closely about the "count-points" foods that I eat. The 35 flex points sound like not much, but as my leader pointed out last night, you could eat a sandwich 5 days a week for lunch, using the lower-cal bread, and have only used 5 points. If you eat a wrap (tortilla) 5 days a week, that's only 10 points...and so on.


At my meeting last night, when this program was explained, it was stressed OVER and OVER and OVER....the CORE is an alternative; if Flexpoints works, then there is no reason to change; it's not an "All you Can Eat Buffet"; and the CORE is not meant for everyone.

I really appreciated that my leader stressed these things...the responsibility is on me, as always, and it's up to me to make it work.

Shelle

Geez! Why is everyone getting so up in arms about this thing? I don't want to change to the Core program, and I'm not going to. It's not for me. I enjoy the Flex of the Flexpoints plan. If I am told I cannot eat certain foods, I get unruly. I have gotten mad before because I wanted ice cream and I couldn't have it because my brain said I was fat and wasn't supposed to! The end of that diet.

I have bread or pasta or a potato with most every meal, but I do not like the FP plan because I can just eat junk! Last night was salmon patties with pintos, cornbread, sliced tomato, and green onion. Tonight is pork loin, grean beans & mushrooms, and new potatoes. Nice, rounded low point meals that don't make me feel like I am limited.

However, others need more structure. Yippee! Go for it! Don't mess with my carbs and I won't mess with yours!

Different programs work for different people, that is what makes us each unique. I need structure, and found when I was on flex, I DID waste my points on Taco Bell or snacks a lot. I lost weight, but was not focusing on healthier eating like I should have. The CORE plan is made for me, if I know what I can and can't have, there is no guessing and I'm fine with it. The 35 weekly flex points give me the option of having a splurge meal if I want, but it limits me to once a week and not everyday if I saved points.

I used to eat a lot of junk foods on WW, but in recent times, I have learned one sugary granola bar turns into two. One lf cookie turns into many (I had binge eating disorder and have hypoglycemia), one rice cake turns into seven. So although I am sticking with flex, I generally only have a starchy carb at a meal and with a protien now. I gave up most processed carbs too (save for a little cereal and some 100% Whole Wheat non-diet bread), but no cereal bars, rice cakes, crackers, low fat cookies <I'l occasionally have a fresh baked cookie>) or pirate's booty. I snack on fruit and yogurt. I think for now I do better without a list of foods and just the points due to emergency fixes (re: a lean cuisine on a day I forget my lunch or the very rare muffin at a breakfast meeting). I guess what I am trying to say is that on flex I have discovered where to use my points (on good, nutritionally rich foods) and which foods make me feel fuller etc.

I wonder if their next plan will be a hybrid of both plans? :chin:

Basically the plan or combination of plans that work for you is the best one for you imho! Good luck to everyone!

Cheers!

Ali

I chose CORE because the foods listed (and there are more than one person could eat in a year!) are basically the ones I was eating on winning points. The problem I see with counting and journaling is that it is hard to keep up once the "high" is gone from seeing the scale go down every week. When you are trying to maintain it gets to be too much of a bother so you start slipping. I know because I have reached goal 3 times in the last five years. Two years is the longest I have keep it all off. I hope with CORE that I can just continue to eat the Core foods in sensible portions and save the extra's for special occasions. That is my plan for wish me luck that it works!

I just got the core demo last night, and it is interesting. I like that it stresses more whole, unprocessed foods than flexpoints. With the points plans, it seemed like it didn't matter that x product had all these chemicals, preservatives, fake fats, etc in it. All that mattered is that it was 1pt per serving. It was hard to attend meetings because everyone would be swapping points for convenience foods, and I was hoping to find low point ideas on preparing tofu or grains.

I bought a recipe book for the core plan, and I'm looking forward to making a lot of the recipes in it. It'll also be cool to attend meetings and listen to people swapping ideas on on how to cook barley or beans better/faster. It's such a change to see, especially since about 5 years ago asking about tofu or being a vegetarian on weight watchers made staff look at you like you were crazy.

I don't know if I'll be able to do core or not, because I really like being able to have english muffins, tortillas, and whole grain breads.

I agree that Flex needed more of the CoreFoods concept and that is the biggest flaw and that everyone was looking for the 'treats' and 'convenience' but that is part of the busy lifestyles most of us lead now. I do incorporate a lot of the Core values into my Flex.

Also take another look at Core...they stress use of FAT FREE products...cheese, salad dressings, sour cream, milk, etc. If you want lowfat or full fat you HAVE to use your points.

Breads is the major reason followed by dining out (Applebee's new entrees are not even considered Core) that my lifestyle doesn't work with Core.

The lack of full fat cheeses on the core is a big downer for me. Bread I can live without, but I am a full-on cheese snob.

I'm also concerned that they still tout sugar-free/fat-free processed things on the core.

I am going to a meeting either tonight or tomorrow, I have got to get to the core of this.

lala

Lala, I am a cheese snob too. LOL!

:mouse: :cheese: Ha! Ha! Ha! Cheese snob! :rofl: I am one too!

The proof is in the pudding as they say so we will know in a couple of weeks if the plan works or not. I too like the idea that I can nibble all day, thus keeping my blood sugar level, and not have to worry about using all my points by lunch time. I am eating lots of lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, bananas, strawberries, grapes, bell peppers, beans, boiled eggs and milk. Those happen to be the foods I like. I also have used a few points on non-core foods that either went with the meal or I wanted for a snack. I will venture out next week after I have had a chance to go shopping with the Core list in hand. Gotta go--the printer is humming--the cat did something and I gotta figure out what.
Janette

The reason they didn't put bread on there is because they tried to eliminate the foods people tend to binge on. Also the reason for the plain non-fat yougurt over the flavored ones. You can spend your points if you want the bread. No big deal. You can have whole grains, corn, peas other starchy veggies during the day - as much as you need without spending points. It is only the potatoes/whole wheat pasta/brown rice that is limited to one a day - again foods people tend to eat way too much of. I posted an article under the general WW thread on the reasons behind the Core Plan. Its very interesting.

Yes, if you are not careful you can eat bread all day. Toast for breakfast, crackers with soup at lunch or a pita sandwich, pasta at dinner.....it can be easily done.

I have been eating whole grain flour products for some time now and enjoy them better than white flour. I actually find regular pasta too starchy and would rather eat whole wheat. I used to eat pasta 4 times per week - it was my rush from work dinner staple but now I only have it once per week at most. I now have 3 - 4 ounces of meat and 2 servings of veggies instead of potatoes or rice.

I think all of us switched to whole grains because of the fiber/fat/calorie point counter. FF stuff was also pushed on the winning points program. That was the way you got to eat more food and stay in your points range and "save" points for the weekend. So that is not new with Core. I have lost 2 lbs. this week on the program so I plan to really get after it next week!

[QUOTE=fiftieslady] "A lot of fuss was made about the no bread and 1 starch a day."

Just to clarify ...we can have MORE than 1 starch a day on the Core plan. Page 24 under Starches, Grains and Cereal states that whole wheat pasta, brown rice or potatoes is limited to one meal a day, but there are other starches mentioned: barley, buckwheat, bulger, cornmeal, couscous, Kasha (whatever that is??), Popcorn (air popped or 94% ff microwave), Quinoa, Rolled Oats, starchy vegetables, and cooked cereal. Then it mentions that the other cereals are limited to one meal a day, and must be eaten with fat free milk or fat free yogurt ...so, we can have more than 1 starch a day on the core plan.

Fifty, The fat-free, sugar-free stuff was never pushed at my meetings. It was allowed to use but then again so was the full-fat or full-sugar versions. I know what you are saying that it was not introduced just with Core but you (unless you use your 35 WeeklyPointAllowance) 'have' to use it on Core. Many of us don't use it. I am not now nor ever been knocking Core. I just since I started W/W has been doing 90-95% of the time Core concepts in my Flex and have never been hungry or craving foods. It is not a 'versus' program as W/W says weekly you can switch back and forth. Both programs are a hand'in'hand thing.

Kelly, you don't HAVE to eat ff salad dressing on Core. Anymore than you HAVE to eat asparagus spears, whole water chestnuts, banana peppers, fish, chicken or anything else on the list. It is your CHOICE. If you want full fat salad dressing you just use your flex points, just like you do when you eat more than your points allowed in a day. It is the same thing. On winning points everyone was trying to find the 1 or 2 point "snacks" they could eat but were avoiding bananas because they cost 2 pts. I never had ff stuff until I joined WW years ago. We are doing the Core plan and supporting each other. It is not an issue with us, so why does it bother you?

fifty, I agree SOME where eating 1 or 2 point snacks an avoiding fruits and stuff but not all. 90% of everyone I knew followed the PointsPies and ate the CoreFoods but used a few FPs to eat snacks. The only time my days were not like that were days I really had to eat out or attended potlucks, etc. and then then I still ensured I got 5 servings of fruits/veggies, my dairy, my protien, a couple of oils and my water and a problem a lot more simple carbs than I'd like but it was still satisfying.

I am not saying you have to eat anything but nor am I knocking the program. Core is helping me more on Flex becuse of the lifestyle I lead using points (along with core values).

And did I say it ever bothered me what anyone choose to do...I am saying for me that Core pushes 'artificial sweeteners' and 'fat free' products as Core Products. I am not saying that you can't use points for non artificial sweetener products, full fat or low fat prodcuts, etc. But it will use up those points fast. There are things I am a snob about (for example cheese I will not eat anything less than regular because of taste) and since I eat full fat cheese (1 point worth) nearly daily along with whole grain breads (3 points worth) there is 28 of my 35 FPs already. Add to that 5 points in low fat dressing for my salad takes me up to 33 leaving me 2 points for my 3 days of dining out. That doesn't make me any less healthy than you. This is where the Flex with CoreFoodValues helps me.

I am not disagreeing with you that some (maybe even many) used Flex the way you stated with lots of simple carb 1-2 points snacks because yes I do know that but the tools where there to show that you really needed to eat basically Core.

Was just happening by and thought I'd add my .02.... I too have found the idea that NOT JOURNALING has taken an enormous amount of guilt away because I just struggle writing down my food... I have been able to keep track of my 35 extra pts all week in my head but then again, this week, I didnt use more than 10....

The other thing w/ Core I began to notice was that by Wed I had passed on 2nds for the 3rd night in a row and realized.....just knowing I could have more if I wanted was somehow enough ....
So, yes, there is a list of foods... so I guess technically its a FOOD LIST....
but to know its ok to have a cup and a half of yogurt ( Sorry, I switched to the plain nonfat to avoid aspertame a while ago and add my own "fixings"..)
now, and to know I could have more really has been the best part of Core....
So yes, I've been eating brown rice and wheat pasta for awhile...
So, for me, Core was good news... will it work?? we'll see... if not, I 'll go right back to Flex and struggle w/keeping track again...

Do I miss bread??... Oh yeah...but will only spend the points on really good bread... and since bread is a trigger food... this all might be a blessing in disguise...

What I miss more, is cheese...

Am I concerned that certain company's products seem to "make" the core list when others don't... ( when they appear to have the same ingredients) ... yes, I wonder...

so.....
there it is ..my .02

Yo! Hi, Corettes! :) IMO, the beauty of Core is that it's so flexible and for me, liberating ...

Kaylets, it's funny, but today I switched FROM whole wheat English muffins to plain English muffins just because I wanted to ... that's the liberation factor. What my first week has done (besides losing me 1.6 pounds) has been to free me up from dogmatic and chaotic thoughts about food that are counterproductive to my weight loss.

At first glance, Core seems to have a lot of contradictory rules subject to interpretation and I've been reading about everyone's disagreements on interpretation here and on other boards ... but the bottom line is this program reminds me that I make the decisions about what I eat ... it's all about moi! :) The Core program is a beacon in a sea of dietary mish-mash, as far as I'm concerned.

In my journal I'm challenging myself to another week on the program (awarded a virtual rose for each day OP) ... we'll see!

K, I couldn't find you again on that other place ... hocus pocus! :wave: