Slimming World diet review

Slimming World is a national organisation of slimming clubs where you attend classes once a week for a weighing session and talk on diet and related health issues.

The method
The diet is based on the concept of Food Optimising, which allows you to break free of calorie counting. It allows you proteins and carbohydrates together in the same meals, but you can either opt for Green Days, which include healthy, filling comfort foods like chicken pasta, or Original Days, with dishes that are higher in protein foods, fruits and vegetables. In between you can add in 10 to 15 'Syns' a day. These are the little extras we crave – a glass of wine is 5 Syns, bag of crisps 7 Syns, and a tablespoon of oil 6 Syns.

Does it work?
Most nutritionists like this sensible approach to losing weight. It is the best way of re-educating your palette and staying on the right eating path for life. And you don't have to remember any complicated combinations of foods.

Pros
The system ties in well with family eating. You can even entertain with its lovely recipes. It also allows you a little bit of what you fancy each day, as long as you control this within your daily Syn allowance.

Cons
Weight loss is slow, but steady. You must commit to turning up to classes each week, rain or shine.

Buy the book
Slimming World Free Foods, published by Ebury Press, £15.99. It is beautifully illustrated and recipes are by home economist Sunil Vijayalar, who writes for many of the top food magazines.

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