-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 QTzvy/EFLwurkQf7AoAYvTzruKe60YBsuAAm87IXSouSHf+KbeLZBXz52JVxiMXG
 AmvYSaAL6AGXz1diBhp+BQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001263703-04-000017.txt : 20041026
<SEC-HEADER>0001263703-04-000017.hdr.sgml : 20041026
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041026185414
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001263703-04-000017
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041026
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041026
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041026

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			POWELL H F
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001087992

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14608
		FILM NUMBER:		041097740

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1062 SMITHRIDGE ROAD
		CITY:			NEW CANAAN
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06840

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1062 SMITHRIDGE ROAD
		CITY:			NEW CANAAN
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06840

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WEIDER NUTRITION INTERNATIONAL INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001022368
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	WHOLESALE-GROCERIES & RELATED PRODUCTS [5140]
		IRS NUMBER:				870563574
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0531

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2002 SOUTH 5070 WEST
		CITY:			SALT LAKE CITY
		STATE:			UT
		ZIP:			84104-4726
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8019755000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2002 SOUTH 5070 WEST
		CITY:			SALT LAKE CITY
		STATE:			UT
		ZIP:			84104-4726
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-10-26</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001022368</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>WEIDER NUTRITION INTERNATIONAL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>WNI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001087992</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>POWELL H F</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1062 SMITHRIDGE ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW CANAAN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06840</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>4.27</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-10-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>12500</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>4.27</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-10-25</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>12500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>12500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The option vests in three annual installments commencing on the first anniversary of the grant date.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>H. F. Powell</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-10-26</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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