This post has been updated for 2023 here.
Slimming World
In my last post I wrote about my weight journey and announced that I was planning to start Slimming World. You can read that post here if you haven’t already. I have decided after careful deliberation that I won’t be attending the weekly Slimming World groups – for now. I have been to a few and feel like they just aren’t for me and I don’t think I will get enough out of the session to be worth the £5.95 weekly fee. For some people, they wouldn’t have had the success they did without their weekly group meetings so for some people they are crucial. If you aren’t sure whether or not group is worth it for you I would consider going and seeing what you think.
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Basic Concept Getting Your Head Around It
If, like me you plan on starting your Slimming World journey alone, or you just want to try the plan to see if it’s right for you before committing, this guide should give you enough information to get on your way on the Extra Easy Plan. Don’t forget to check this post out for my Slimming World Essentials!
I have created a simple pie chart showing the extra easy plan in a visual breakdown. The plan is made up of five sections:
- Free Food
- Speed Food
- Healthy Extra A
- Healthy Extra B
- Syns
Calorie Counting or Slimming World: Which One Is Right For You?
Free Food
Foods that fall under the free food category require no weighing or measuring and are yours to enjoy. They should make up the main portion of your meal and consist of:
- Fruit
- Vegetables
- Fish
- Meat & Poultry
- Eggs
- Dairy Products
- Meat Replacement Products
- Beans & Lentils
- Rice
- Pasta
(Not everything that falls under these categories is on plan so make sure you check to ensure you are following correctly and don’t hinder your success.)
Fruit
Pretty much all fresh and frozen fruit is free. Cooked, canned and dried fruit are categorised under Healthy Extras and puree fruit, any fruit juices or smoothies are classed as Syns.
Examples of Free Fruit:
- Apples (S)
- Bananas
- Blackberries (S)
- Blueberries
- Clementines (S)
- Grapes
- Grapefruit (S)
- Kiwi Fruit
- Melon (S)
- Nectarines (S)
- Oranges (S)
- Pears (S)
- Pineapple
- Plums (S)
- Raspberries (S)
- Satsuma (S)
- Strawberries (S)
- Tangerines (S)
Vegetables
Most vegetables are also free this includes fresh and frozen.
Example:
- Baby Sweetcorn (S)
- Bean Sprouts (S)
- Beetroot (S)
- Broccoli (S)
- Cabbage (S)
- Carrots (S)
- Cauliflower (S)
- Celery (S)
- Chillies (S)
- Cucumber (S)
- Green Beans (S)
- Garlic (S)
- Leeks (S)
- Lettuce (S)
- Onions (S)
- Peppers (S)
- Potatoes
- Spinach (S)
- Spring Greens (S)
- Sweetcorn
- Tomatoes (S)
(Peas are categorised under Beans & Lentils)
Fruits and vegetables with a (S) next to them are also considered speed foods. Try to make up at least a third of your meal as speed foods.
What Is An SP Day On Slimming World?
Fish
Fish is a free food and can be cooked anyway you like as long as you don’t cook it with fat. If fat is used then make sure you count the fat as a Syn.
Fish can be white fish, shellfish or oily fish.
Slimming World recommends you try to eat at least two portions of fish a week and one portion of oily fish a week.
Meat & Poultry
To make sure the meat and poultry you are eating is free choose the leanest cut available. Mince should be less that 5% fat for it to be considered a free food. Make sure you remove all visible fat and any skin from poultry. Fat can be added but it must be counted as a Syn. Burgers, sausages and some pre-made meatballs are usually synned and not on the free list.
Examples:
- 5% of less fat mince beef
- Bacon Medallions
- Chicken
- Ham
If you don’t eat meat or you incorporate meat replacement into your diet some examples of free products are:
- Quorn Mince
- Quorn Meat pieces
- Tofu
Eggs
Eggs are free on extra easy and can be cooked how you like. If you add fat remember it needs to be classed as a syn.
Rice
Rice is a free food as long as it is cooked without fat. Packet rice often has a syn value so check in advance.
Pasta
Dried pasta is free. Fresh pasta contains a syn value due to the additional oils it contains which help keep it moist!
Other Grains
Other examples of free grains include:
- Quinoa
- Dried noodles
- Couscous
- Buckwheat
Beans, Peas & Lentils are also all free.
Dairy Products
Examples:
- Fat Free Natural Fromage Frais
- Fat Free Natural Yogurt
- Low Fat Cottage Cheese
- Quark
(Certain flavoured varieties of the above can have a syn value so please check)
How Often & When Should You Weigh Yourself
Other Free Essentials:
- All Herbs, Spices, Vinegar,Salt & Pepper
- Mustard Powder (Jarred mustard has a syn value)
- Stockpots/cubes
- Marmite
- Soy & Oyster Sauce
- Sweetener (granulated sweetener can be considered a syn value so please check.)
- Fat free dressing
- Tomato Puree (containing no oil)
- Low Calorie Cooking Spray
- Mint Sauce (no added sugar)
- Tea without milk
- Flavoured Tea
- Coffee
- Water
- Diet Fizzy Drinks
- Slimline Mixers
Healthy Extras
Each day you can choose two healthy extra A and one healthy extra B.
Related Post: Slimming World Healthy Extra B List
Healthy Extra A
This includes high calcium dairy foods.
Example:
- 175ml Whole Milk
- 250ml Semi-Skimmed Milk
- 300ml 1% Fat Milk
- 350ml Skimmed Milk
- 30g Cheddar
- 40g Reduced Fat Cheddar
- 2 Dairylea Light Triangles
Healthy Extra B
This includes high fibre, whole grain cereals.
Example:
- 35g Porridge Oats
- 40g All Bran
- 60g Wholemeal Bread
- 2 Medium Slices Wholemeal Bread
- 1 Kingsmill Sandwich Thin
- 2 Weetabix
- 2 Alpen light Cereal Bars
(Some dried and canned food as well as nuts and seeds are also included please check for details.)
Syns
Related Post: Slimming World Syn Calculator
Syns are foods that are most likely to jeopardise your weight loss. Scoring foods like this and giving them a Syn value means we can still enjoy them in the right way. Some people eat their syn allowance each day and that is what Slimming World recommend. Other people though, have had success and weight loss by combining remaining syns and using them on say a weekend for a treat. It’s up to you how you use this allowance. Find what works best for you. It’s recommended you choose between 5 & 15 syns a day.
There are lots of resources online to find out what constitutes a syn and it’s value but a few examples are:
- 1 Level tsp Butter – 2 Syns
- 30g Bag Doritos – 7.5 Syns
- 1 Level tbsp Mayonnaise – 5.0 Syns
- Glass of Wine – 6 Syns
- Pizza Base – 13.5 Syns
- MilkyWay – 5.5 Syns
- 25g White Chocolate – 7.0 Syns
Round Up
Each day you can have:
- As much FREE food as you want. No measuring, weighing or calorie counting.
- A third of each meal should be made up of SPEED food.
- 2 HEALTHY EXTRA A food.
- 1 HEALTHY EXTRA B food.
- Choose between 5-15 SYNS.
My Tips
Before you start:
- Familiarise yourself with the basic concept of the plan
- Make sure you have all the information easily available! (You will be referring to it A LOT at first)
- Make sure your cupboards and fridge is stocked with all the right foods and you have used up any of the wrong foods
During the plan:
- Weigh out your Healthy Extra A & B each morning
- Plan out meals for the week
- Keep a diary of what you eat each day (download the free printable below)
- Weigh yourself once a week ONLY or else the results will not be accurate and you will drive yourself crazy!
To help keep on track I have created a free printable diary for you to log everything you are eating you can download this here: FREE PRINTABLE. Print out a new one for each day of the week and keep track of your progress.
I’m Logging My Latestes Weight Loss Goals HERE – Follow My Journey
If you want further support and company on your weight loss journey, join my free Facebook Group here. If you have found this website and articles useful and you’d like to know how you can say thank you then I am always appreciative to receive a virtual coffee here.
More Information
For more information on Slimming World and to find a local group visit their website here.
More Posts You May Be Interested In:
Slimming World Going It Alone & Free Printable
Slimming World Essentials to Help Lose Weight
Slimming World Meatballs & Pasta Ready Meal Review
Thank you for stopping by! Check out my last post here.
Love as always!
More From Me
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As always words, views and opinions are honest and my own. Links marked with “*” are affiliate links. This does not cost you anything additional but it may mean I earn a small percentage from any sales. For more information about any of this please head over to this page.
**Please note this post is in no way sponsored or endorsed by Slimming World or any other company. All opinions are my own. I am not a medical professional or dietitian this post relates solely to my own experience only. Whenever you make a change to your diet it is advised to seek advice from your GP. This information is not intended to replace the advice or information provided by a medical professional. If in doubt speak to a healthcare provider or dietitian. Information provided is correct to the best of my knowledge at the time of publication. From time to time Slimming World change aspects of the extra easy plan which means this information may have changed, to stay up to date please refer to their website for the latest up to date information.
This is totally something new for me. Will have to study more about this and how it works. Great information.
Thank you for the tips ans the informations really great one and awesome post
Author
Thank you 🙂 x
Going it alone also and this is so what I needed, everything in one place thankyou for sharing x
This was the most helpful food post I have ever read!
Author
Aw I’m glad you think so thank you!! xx
This program makes weight-loss not look so overwhemling. great idea!
Author
Right? Which is exactly what I need! x
I’ve just found your blog and am so relieved to know that whilst I love the Slimming World plan, the meetings are not for me.
I’d been searching for a way of eating that wasn’t hideously restrictive, was sustainable in the long term, was something I was comfortable doing with a small girl in the house that didn’t give her unhealthy ideas about eating (can we say meal replacement shakes!), and actually worked.
This does, but the meetings just felt like a waste of a lot of time I can’t afford to waste.
So, I’ve some reading to catch up with on your blog, and thanks so much for this post.
Author
I’ve been such a bad blogger updating my SW posts too but it’s going really well! I can’t afford to go somewhere to be weighed especially as I can do it at home myself!!
Thank you SO SO much. I don’t think the groups are for me either, I’m really not into that kind of setting, but I also can’t justify the expense for joining right now, our budget is pretty tight.
I live in the USA and Slimming World is not that big at all here yet, but most bloggers and vloggers I follow are in the UK so I have heard so much about Slimming World and really want to try. I tried researching but couldn’t figure out what I needed from each category and what I could eat, tips etc.
You are a life saver, I believe I can make this work without needing the whole Slimming World website. Thank you so much 🙂
Thank you for the information. I appreciate that you took the time to do this and your thoughtfulness to share. ????
Author
You’re welcome Gwen I hope it helps you lovely xx
Thanks for doing this, I’m struggling to get motivated but been keeping a food diary. This makes sense to me now and a lot of my dairy is replaced with lactose free and soya.
Sophie, thank you so much for your blog, it is being a great help to me. Like the others I don’t like the meetings but I needed a reminder of the ‘rules’.
I eat healthily anyway, but i like being reminded of the calorie traps.
In my mind losing weight has always been restriction, but with this way of eating I’m eating more than ever & losing weight!!!
Thank you so much
Author
I feel exactly the same! Fantastic news that its working for you keep it up!!
Hi Soph wow this is a fabulous very informative website – I am so so impressed. I thought of rejoining Slimming World as I have put a few pounds on but your blog, which i stumbled across by chance, is amazing and I had to thank you for your time and effort and kindness in sharing.
all the best
Viki Gilbert- Manchester England xxxx
Author
You are so welcome I really hope it helps weight loss is hard work good luck in your journey!!
Hi Sophie, I’ve just found your blog and it is really informative. I have actually just signed up to start Slimming World so I will go for the first few weeks to get me started as I need the motivation to change my habits and feel that the classes will help initially. I’ll see how I feel after a few weeks, but thank you for all of the helpful tips.
Author
Going to class can be really motivational so go for it and see how you go! x
HI. I am vegetarian and am intolerant to gluten and dairy products. Will i still be able to follow the slimming world diet?
Author
Yes absolutely you would just omit any meat or animal products and substitute those as you would usually. The principles remain the same a third of your plate should be made up of speed food which is vegetables and fruit which are of course vegan friendly. For your Hex A which is usually milk just use your vegan choice such as almond etc xx
Fab info for a newbie, thank you! 🙂 x
A very good Blog Sophie, I have just joined slimming world and although the group is informative I find I am learning more online. Your food dairy is very handy too.
Excellent, your hard work is very much appreciated, thank you, Gellie
Thank you so much.. just what I needed I used slimming world years ago and was very successful going it alone but it was red and green days… it’s changed so much and does seem to be easier now.
Author
It’s funny how things change but being honest I think once your head is around this it’s much easier!
A very succinct and useful resource, well done 😉
Author
Thank you!
Thank you for sharing. X
Thank you for doing this. Do you have a printable version please? x
Great post for those that don’t want to go to group! Thankyou x
New to this never tried slimming world So glad i have just stumbled across this on my day 1, i will be printing this off i’m not 1 for group meetings i will defo follow this thank you at least 100lb to go A great start . thank you x
I have followed this way of life since I was 21 without knowing it was called slimming world diet and I believe strongly that works.
Brilliant, can’t fit going to classes in my schedule. This is brilliant, will be giving it a try and following you.
Thank you so much
This is brilliant, thank you for the motivation. It is concise and simple, so often food blogs are over complicated. I will let you know how I get on! Thanks, Anne.
Hi Sophie
I have just stumbled upon your site, omg just what I’m looking for, thank you so much, I’ve been successful on slimming world in the past, but struggled going to group as I found it boring and so time consuming, I am gluten intolerant so find food difficult when trying to lose weight without direction, a big thank you for making it so clear and giving me the choice to go it alone after a time of trying so many fads that don’t work…
So if I want skimmed milk in my tea, and dairylea triangle, does the cheese count as a sun rather than health extra? Really helpful clear guidance x
Author
Yeah you would need to syn either the cheese or the milk but one of them would count as your healthy extra x
I did SW for about 7 weeks, but I didn’t stop for the group meetings so I just ended up paying to get weighed essentially, so I had the same idea, why don’t I just follow the diet myself at home. So now I eat a high carb low fat vegan diet, which aside from the occasional glass of red wine is basically made up of free and speed foods on the SW diet, and to-date I have now lost 10% of my original starting weight without feeling like I am even trying and never feel deprived
Author
Isn’t it amazing I was such a skeptic but I love it now!
Hi Sophie. Is there any way of finding a list of ALL foods? I’m a bit of a cheese fiend and would be interested to know what other cheeses can be eaten?
Hi Sophie this is brilliant and just what I was looking for … I have been attending my local Slimming world group for around three months and have lost one and a half stone in that time so I am fully motivated , I find the group a waste of money to be honest as I only go to get weighed then leave which is a waste of £4.95 weekly and to be honest it takes nearly an hour to get weighed so this is really the way to go for me. well done on producing an excellent site
Hi Sophie this is a great blog , just what I was looking for, I have been attending slimming world for three months and have lost one and a half stone so I am fully motivated , however I don’t feel that the group setting is offering me anything as I am simply paying £4.95 weekly just to get weighed , the group meetings are fairly disorganised often taking three quarters of an hour just to get weighed so I am going to go it alone and the information you have provided is great and will help me hugely .. all the best Kenny
Hello, how do I find your food diary, lynn
Thank you, you have shown how simple it is to put the plan into action and everything I need to know is right here. Cheer!
Hi, Im so thankful to have found this blog post! However im struggling to find a total list of syns. do you know where i could find this without joining slimming world?
Brilliant site thankyou!
Late to the party (so to speak!) but intend to start my own SW solo attempt on Monday, in preparation for my son’s wedding in six weeks!
I feel the same!! I have been and remained many times but I just can’t connect in group like everyone else.
The plan is brilliant but I just need more support which isn’t given to me in the group, but you have inspired me to try again and tomorrow is a new beginning for me xx
Author
Yes Maria how exciting I hope following along with me will give you a bit of support it’s hard but group certainly isn’t for everyone xx
I also used to go to SW class just to get weighed, I really didn’t like staying to class and felt I really wasn’t reaping any benefits when I did. However, I did lose weight. I really want to get back on plan and shake off the Christmas lbs for the summer. Good luck everyone.
Author
Good luck to you Laura lets see us all hitting those goals in 2019!
Hi Sophie. Are you going to continue with the plan as you have it or are you going to incorporate the changes that were announced in January. I personally think if it worked for you before there a need to change it.
Author
Hi Lesley
I’ve just been to Slimming World group to get all of the updated information but if I am honest I think I am going to continue with what has been working. If it isn’t broken don’t fix it right? I may start to incorporate the changes as I continue but at the moment I don’t want to rock the boat.
Hi Sophie do you have a template of a small diary where I can record my a and b choices and Syns please just so I can make a small book 😊
Thanks for the updated changes for 2019
Hi Sophie, thanks for taking the time to do this. I did SW last year but stopped getting anything out of the group sessions and gave up. Want to start again on my own as I know the basic principles of how it works so this is going to really help me. Thank you.
Hello. Can you send me please the printable form please?
I’m going to restart Slimming World tomorrow , doing it at home. I like doing Slimming world but the classes were not for me. Good luck to everyone.
please can you help me lose weight im desperate
Author
Oh Carryl can you email me lovely? I will see if I can help get you started. [email protected]
Hi Sophie, yes in deed thank you for all your hard work, it’s amazing really, and I would very much appreciate joining you on a weight loss plan,
So, I am A young 57 he old woman, I joined slimming world 10 weeks ago ish! And lost just under 1stone, but, then got the flu. ect, and as far as I am aware have maintained , I never had the time to stay for the group meetings as I work shifts but I do enjoy the online app, I have been thinking of saving my money, and doing on my own, I still would like to lose 10lbs, I would love a group that would like to support me and I would help support too,
Many thanks Elle X
Good luck to us all.
This is very down to earth and plain speaking, thank you. X
Joined SW a week ago and in the week since have lost 5lbs. BUT those books are so disjointed and complicated.
Alphabetical would be so much easier
Hi just wanted to say huge thank you to you for writing this post. I did slimming world a few years ago with the old plan. I maintained my goal weight for five years then I started to pile it back on due to fibromyalgia. I’m unhappy with my weight but found the new slimming world plan confusing. After reading your post it’s so much clearer for me and I can’t wait to start it. Thank you Angie xx
Hi!! I joined SW a year ago and didn’t get much out of it. I thought I would join online and manage on my own but I found the website, class etc confusing and hard to follow. This seems so much easier to manage. What were the new changes SW made in January?
I need to lose weight!!!!! Please help!! Any advice welcomed!
Thank you! Annie
I lost 5stone at group now out on 1 stone and doing alone for a year support would be great
I know slimming world works my friend lost 6 stone. I definitely need to give it a try
What a fantastic blog, been reading since Saturday, and now have the principle, I live in Spain, and no official slimmers world classes, where I live, but a few, unauthorized classes.springing up, around the area, but no books, no extras to purchase.
If you have the will power, to go it alone, I think it’s a great idea, and cheaper.
So I started the eating principal yesterday, I only want to lose a stone, so nothing major, to my surprise, I lost 2lbs on day one.
Still learning, so just check out the internet, no questions that I had, could not be answered.
Was wondering what is ‘dried pasta and rice’ is this cooked and dried before eating (so not from pot to table?)
Thanks
Author
It just means the kind you keep in the cupboard and includes any pasta that isn’t fresh or from the fridge. You cook it as normal 🙂
So glad i came across this! Just when i needed it most-thinking to join sw as iv finally started my journey back to pre-pregnancy body. Can i pls ask do u have to have group a and b foods or can u miss them out? Or is it a must for the weight loss to work??
Thanks so much for this , I am from the UK but now live in the USA. It’s brilliant to have thus information so I can do the plan over here 🙂 thanks for taking the time to share the plan it’s been years since I have Been on the plan
Thank you. Brilliant
Just found this today 29/11/19 so glad I did .
Thank you 👍
I am in the exact same situation, I was looking for a group but there are non over here. I want to start doing this plan
I noticed you said to weigh some foods, how do we know what to weigh and what amounts we should eat?
I just found this today 06/12/2019. I very happy that I did because I’m having problems and I am feeling very frustrated because I’ve being on the plan and I haven lost anything other that my motivation.
Thank you for your blog is very useful
Very ok interesting tips too help you stimulate and get the weight loss you need.
This plan will help to stimulate you and helps you stayed focus and also loss the weight you want to loss brilant
You are now allowed 2 Healthy Extra A
Thank you so much for posting this… it’s the most user friendly version that explains how Slimming World works in a clear way making it far easier to understand!
Even the slimming world site ends up being so confusing when it’s completely new to you!
I have saved your information and will refer to it regularly I’m sure… thanks again..😊
sorry for being ignorant, but I slimming world years ago but it was red and green days, is it really possible to eat free food of pasta or rice etc as well as protein on the same day? I’m confused.
Thanks
Karen
Author
Hi Karen I didn’t do Slimming World when it was red or green days so I am not sure what the plan was like then. This plan, however, allows you to eat free food, pasta, rice, protein all in the same day no restrictions EXCEPT you need to make sure on third of your plate is filled with speed food.
Hello Sophie, I just came across your website whilst searching for a slimming World menu that my wife used to cook about 20 years ago. It was Cottage Pie but with cottage cheese on the top instead of potato. It was yum. Anyway, I can’t find it. Can you help? My weight is a bit yo-yo like a lot of people but I have decided to get a grip now, during this madness of lockdown. So I’m exercising a lot (as is my wife) and want to complete the circle with my food intake. Anyway, I hope you can help. How will I know? Your website is excellent. Keep up the good work. Keep Safe. Peter
Author
Hi, Peter, I haven’t heard of that recipe but it sounds yum!! If you find it please pass it on I would love to try! I hope you find this information useful in getting back on track!
Hey,
I’m a vegan. How do A’s work for me please? Is Oat Milk & vegan cheese acceptable alternatives?
Thank you
Jo
Author
Hi Jo – yes they are it’s different amounts based on the type of alternative if you have a google you should be able to find how much you are allowed for whichever milk or cheese substitute you choose. I sometimes have almond milk and you can have quite a lot of that!
When you have healthy extra a and b is that a foods you can’t eat later that day please
Author
You can have 2 healthy extra A and one healthy extra B per day. You can eat them whenever you like on their own or incorporated into your meal but you can only have that set amount. x
Thank you for synopsising the slimming world plan. I, like you, prefer to do my own thing but I needed a plan. I will print out your charts and make a start. I have one stone to lose, but it’s a stubborn one stone. Good luck with your journey. xx
Thank you Sophie, like others needed a reminder of what’s what as it’s been a while. I like it long overdue that slimming world bring themselves up to date and realise that they need to offer an alternative to meeting for those who will not benefit. There should be a one off sensible annual fee where you can access the information online.
But in the meantime your blog is a great help. 😎
Thank you Sophie, just seeing this is going to help me get started again. I, too, want to fo it on my own.
Thank you so much for all this information, this blog is a brilliant help for me, because I’m on a tight budget and absolutely hate any diet groups where you have to weigh in (walk of shame) and attend. I work shifts this is perfect ☺️☺️☺️😍
Wow Sophie THANKYOU so much I luv slimming world program but live in Australia but have bought thier magazine for fifteen years your n formation is a great help just wish I knew what foods are free in Australia as I don’t know which foods here are the same as you so jakes it hard but shy help would b so appreciated kind regards Anna
Thanks Sophie this has been really helpful x
Thank you so much for this info. I live in Spain so no chance of going to a group. Due to a medical problem I have to take steroids which pile the weight on. If I can just stop my weight increasing even if I can’t lose I would be really happy. Again, thank you so much.