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