At the Specialist Weight Management Service (SWMS), patients are encouraged to take a realistic approach to weight loss. We want to challenge the notion of ‘going on a diet’. Unlike some fad diets, SWMS is based on current expert opinion and research evidence. Patients are asked to explore not only what they eat, but also when they eat, why they eat and how they eat.
SWMS encourage dietary and lifestyle changes that are realistic, achievable and that can be sustained in the long-term. The focus is improvement in health, through healthy eating and realistic weight loss, rather than striving for the perfect figure or an ideal bodyweight.
Lifestyle Intervention
The 12 week programme made up of 7 fortnightly sessions. Each session lasts 1.5 hours which covers information and support on diet, activity, and behaviour change strategies.
A Personalised Dietary Prescription (PDP,) is calculated based on height, gender, age, weight and level of physical activity. The Eatwell Guide outlines a healthy, nutritionally balanced diet that allows for personal food choices.
The minimum target weight loss in the lifestyle intervention phase is 5-10kg (11.5 lbs to 1.5 stone). This equates to a steady weight loss of 0.5-1kg (1-2 lbs) a week.
Dietary topics covered include:
- The Eatwell Guide and portion control
- Regular meals and planning
- Eating out and takeaways
- Practical tips and recipes
- Shopping and food labelling
Dietary Support
NHS Choices Livewell – Food and Diet
NHS Choices Livewell – Food and Diet provides a wealth of information on healthy eating at all ages.
The Eatwell Guide
The Eatwell Guide to healthy, balanced eating for all.
Think Vegetables
Think Vegetables is a website dedicated to promotion of vegetable consumption (sponsored by growers).
British Dietetic Association
British Dietetic Association is the professional body for Registered Dietitians in the UK.
12 Week Weight Management Service
12 Week Weight Management Service is a weight management programme from NHS Inform.
All About Obesity
All About Obesity provides education, information, support and advocate for those living with obesity.
Better Health
Better Health offers information to kickstart better health for you.
PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common complex hormonal condition which affects how the ovaries work. Lifestyle choices such as the type and amount of food you eat, as well as the activity you do, can improve symptoms.
This Food Fact Sheet looks at PCOS and how to manage it with lifestyle changes.
Dietary Apps
Self monitoring using online apps are becoming more popular. They are a quick and convenient way to assess and track dietary intake. You can download apps on your smart phone – some of which are free and very easy to use. Some commonly used dietary apps are listed below.
Nutracheck (calorie counter +)
Nutracheck (calorie counter +) provides food and exercise tracking, UK food database with over 250,000 products with photos (verified data), scans barcodes, links with Apple Health. This app has a fee and is approved by ORCHA.
MyFitnessPal
MyFitnessPal provides food and exercise tracking, barcode scanner, large food database with over 6 million foods including restaurants menus. The app can connect with popular apps and devices such as – Garmin, Strava, Runkeeper, Fitbit. The app allows you to share your progress with friends and is free.
Lifesum
Lifesum is a food and exercise tracking app. The ‘basic’ plan (food and activity diary,) is free, however, you would need to pay a monthly subscription fee to access healthy recipes, sync the app with health apps, etc.
LIVA
LIVA is an integrated digital platform for disease management and lifestyle change. The app allows you to monitor physical activity, sleep, mood and dietary intake. Users can also record biometric parameters e.g. blood sugar levels, blood pressure, lung function.
Designed to provide support and guidance for people at risk or living with chronic diseases such as Obesity, pre and type 2 diabetes, hypertension. This app is free and approved by ORCHA.
Easy Meals
The Easy Meals app is free and provides over 150 easy, calorie counted recipes across breakfast, lunch and evening meals and puddings. The app also has a handy shopping list to make planning and shopping easier.
Change4life Smart Recipes
Change4life Smart Recipes allows you to search over 160 easy, calorie-counted recipes, easy to follow instructions and all the ingredients you’ll need to feed a family of 4 for around £5, create a shopping list, tips on how to make healthier choices.
Change4life Food Scanner
Change4life Food Scanner is an easy to use food scanner designed to help you make healthier food and drink choices. Barcode scanner will show you the total sugar and saturated fat contents of foods.
Carbs and Cals app
The Carbs and Cals app helps people control their diabetes and weight. The app contains over 3,500 food photos to help you manage your calorie intake and portions. The Carbs and Cals app also provides useful nutritional information such a carbohydrate, fat and fibre content of foods. This app has a fee.
