Times have changed since the early Weight Watchers plan which saw strict limits in place with bans on 43 foods including potatoes and pork
Slimmers have done a double-take after seeing a 1968 Weight Watchers plan which banned dozens of foods including potatoes, pork, gravies and dressings. Members were given the stark warning: “Do not dig your own grave with your own fork” along with an 11-point plan.
And it was a far cry from the healthy plan today’s members enjoy, which is packed with foods which can be eaten freely, including most fruit, vegetables, lean meat and potatoes. Current followers of the plan can also indulge in their favourite sauces and dressings and even chocolate and ice cream within reason and still lose weight.
But in 1968 it was a different story with many people questioning how anyone managed to stick to it. Headed “Instructions for WEIGHT REDUCTION for ladies” it promised: “This Programme has proved to be successful for thousands of men and women.
“If you do not deviate from (take away or add to) the prescribed plan, you will certainly reduce your weight, look better and feel better. This way of life will then become a simple procedure and just as you always reached for the wrong food in the past you will now think only in terms of your proper eating habits. NEVER MISS A MEAL.”
Members were told to eat only foods listed in the plan in the specified quantities. They were allowed to use some storecupboard foods freely, including stock cubes, sugar-free drinks, herbs, lemon or lime, mustard, salt and pepper, vinegar, spices, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce and tea and coffee.
Dozens of vegetables were also unlimited, covering everything from asparagus, broccoli, and cabbage to cucumbers and peppers. Others, including beetroot, Brussels sprouts, carrots, and tomatoes, had to be limited according to individual menu plans, with a serving consisting of 4oz (roughly 100g).
Fruit — which today can be enjoyed at will — was set at three items a day, with one being a citrus fruit. Even here, some items were banned, including bananas, cherries, watermelon, dried fruits, grapes, pomegranates, and mangoes.
Members were also told to “concentrate on day at a time – make this a daily occupation not a hobby!” It added: “Use your scales – make certain of accurate weight loss.”
Other rules included:
- Grill, boil, steam, bake or roast meat, fish or poultry – DO NOT FRY. Remove all visible fat before eating – DO NOT EAT GRAVIES OR SAUCES
- Eat at least five fish meals weekly and include at least one fresh fish meal
- Liver must be eaten once a week
- Limit eggs to four to seven a week
Despite a wide list of fish options meat was limited. Skinless chicken and some turkey could be eaten daily but beef, lamb, fresh salmon and dark turkey meat could only be consumed three times a week.
But the biggest blow to today’s dieters by far was the long list of banned foods. For in addition to the seven forbidden fruits there were a further 43 foods members must avoid with a strict “DO NOT EAT OR DRINK THE FOLLOWING” warning:
- Alcoholic beverages
- anchovies
- avocado
- bacon
- ham
- butter
- cream cheese
- cakes
- chocolate or sweets
- cereals
- coconut
- corn
- cream (sweet or sour)
- crisps
- crumpets
- doughnuts, buns
- biscuits
- fried foods
- honey
- icecream
- jam
- ketchup, mayonnaise, salad dressings
- herrings
- sardines
- pilchards
- nuts
- oils
- olives
- pancakes
- peanut butter
- pork
- potatoes
- puddings
- rice
- rolls or special breads
- sausages
- smoked foods (kippers, ham, finnan haddock, smoked salmon)
- soft drinks
- sorbet
- spaghetti
- sugar – syrups
- waffes
- yoghurt
Reading the list on social media one commented: “Brutal. I couldn’t get past breakfast with that.” Another added: “Did anyone stick to that?”
To find out more about today’s Weight Watchers visit its website.