A DIETER’S DELIGHT

Even more good news!  WeightWatchers is discarding its famous fat and calorie-based points plan in favor of a new system that allows alcohol and an occasional fast food treat.  The international dieting company said it was adopting the new “ProPoints” system because “science had moved on” and the previous style of calorie-counting had been proven to be inaccurate and “outdated”.  The new plan will center on the amounts and types of protein, carbohydrate, fiber, and fat in food, while the old calorie-based point system has been recalibrated to factor in the energy used in chewing and digesting the food.  In an added bonus, followers will, for the first time, be granted extra “real living” points so they can treat themselves to their favorite drink and fast foods, while all fruit and most vegetables will carry zero points.  Dieters will be allowed a typical daily allowance of up to 29 of the recalculated ProPoints, compared with 18 points previously, plus the weekly bonus of 49 “real living” points.  A gin and low-calorie tonic will account for two ProPoints, a pint of lager adds six points and a Big Mac costs 12 points.  Will it work or will the temptations prove to be too much for dieters?  The proof will be in the pudding.