I use my Weight Watchers mobile app quite a bit — mostly when I’m shopping. I call up the PointsPlus calculator and enter in the grams of fat, carbs, fiber, and protein to see if I can work a given product into my program. I’m glad to have it, and have found some great stuff (snacks!) this way.
Figuring out points while shopping just got a whole lot easier if you have an iPhone (there doesn’t appear to be one for Android yet).
The new Weight Watchers Barcode Scanner lets you scan a barcode, get the fat/carbs/fiber/protein details, and shows you the PointsPlus value at the same time. Seriously handy.
But wait, there’s more!
Once you’ve scanned an item, you can choose to “track this item,” which adds it to your personal tracker, making adding foods and recipes much quicker. There’s also an “light” option available when you’re scanning, for when you’re, uh, grocery shopping in the dark, I guess.
I think it’s great that Weight Watchers has released this. I know I’ll be using it a ton.
Note: you must have access to Weight Watchers eTools to use the mobile and barcode scanner apps.
Do you use the mobile app much? Think you’ll use the barcode scanner app?
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I have the app on my iPhone 3G and it won’t “scan” the barcode but it is still easier to use with just punching in the number rather than hunting for all the different nutritional values.
Do you have any idea which iPhone will actually scan the barcode? I’m upgrading in the summer :-)
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Not sure why it won’t work on your 3G. Supposedly it will work as long as you’re running iOS 3.2.2 or later.
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I can’t scan with mine (3G) either, says “scanning with camera is not supported on your device” which I find strange because I have the RedLaser app and use it when comparison shopping. So, again I am confused ;( Maybe my 3G needs an update???!!!
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Could be… can you check what version of the OS you’re running?
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If I wasn’t so iPhone technically challenge, I could :D I will have to have my husband check it out for me since he is the tech nerd in my house!! Will let you know what I (he) finds out!
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Is the scanner on the normal free WW app?
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Go to the app store on your iphone and do a search for ‘weight watchers barcode scanner’ and it will pop up :)
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No, it’s a separate app. Here’s the link.
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I’m in the UK and can’t find it in the app store
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