We’re delighted to share how Slimming World effectively supports members with diabetes to eat well, lose weight and improve their quality of life.
After conducting a survey of members with diabetes, we discovered that members with type 1 or type 2 diabetes find it easy to follow our Food Optimising plan as part of their diabetes management.
Our research also shows that losing weight with Slimming World helps members with type 2 diabetes improve their blood glucose management, reduce or no longer need medications and, for some, put their condition into remission.
It works for people with type 1 diabetes, too! Many members report improved blood glucose levels and reductions in medication.
More on the blog: We’ve cooked up a collection of delicious meals in partnership with Diabetes UK – which one is your favourite?
How we help our members with weight loss and diabetes management
In a study of Slimming World members with type 2 diabetes who lost 10% of their weight…
- 76% found it easy to follow Food Optimising alongside the dietary advice from their healthcare team
- 81% saw improvements in their blood glucose management
- 61% were able to reduce or stop taking their diabetes medication completely
- 80% reported an improved quality of life
- 51% reported they had put their condition into remission
Our members with type 1 diabetes also reported positive benefits to losing weight, with 88% seeing improvements in their blood glucose management.
Donna’s story
As her health worsened, nurse Donna Gough decided to forget fad diets and join Slimming World. In just over a year, she lost 6st 2½lbs (39kg) and put her type 2 diabetes into remission. Now, she’s enjoying a new-found love of fitness – and running around after her grandchildren! She says:
“When my weight tipped past 16st, I was prescribed tablets by my GP to help with my high blood pressure and my type 2 diabetes. Working in the health sector, I was embarrassed I’d let it get this far – and it made me nervous thinking about what my future could look like if I didn’t turn my health around.
In January 2023 I was ready to make a change. I’ve tried many fad diets over the years – you name it, I’ve probably done it – but I’d always put the weight back on. Slimming World was totally different. I still enjoy my favourite dinners, like curry and chilli, and Food Optimising fits into my busy lifestyle brilliantly.
After reaching my target weight, my doctor told me that I’d put my type 2 diabetes into remission. My health is so much better, and I’ve improved my fitness through Slimming World’s activity support programme, Body Magic.The cherry on top is that I’m now an active nan and can run around with my grandchildren. I’ve gone from fearing for my future to having a brand-new lease of life!”
If you’re concerned about diabetes and want to slim down, we’ll support you all the way to your dream weight. You can find out more about joining Slimming World here.
Kelayne’s story
Kelayne Fannan joined Slimming World the day after her diabetes diagnosis, weighing 21st4lbs. She lost more than 11st and put her type 2 diabetes into remission. She says:
“When my doctor diagnosed me with type 2 diabetes, he warned that I was heading towards being insulin-dependent, and if I didn’t change my lifestyle it was likely that I’d die young. As a mum of three, that was the wake-up call I needed, and I walked through the doors of a Slimming World group the very next day.
Thinking back to that time, I didn’t care for myself at all. I was eating so many crisps, chocolates and sweets that my skin would have breakouts, and I suffered from crippling migraines. Now I feel completely different. I’m more confident, my skin glows and I’ve gone from having to take four tablets a day for my diabetes to being medication-free!
I’m so proud to have put my type 2 diabetes into remission by losing weight and eating a healthy, balanced diet. I eat lots of vegetables and fruit and I enjoy trying different Slimming World recipes, like salmon teriyaki or spaghetti bolognese. The support from my Slimming World group each week has helped me to understand that food is nutritious and not something to use in a destructive way.
I’d say to anyone who’s concerned about weight loss and diabetes: Slimming World can help. Losing weight hasn’t just changed my life, it’s saved my life. I’m literally half the person I was when I weighed 21st – I’m 10st 1½lbs and have dropped eight dress sizes from a 26 to a 10. To complete my transformation, last year I had a breast lift and implants, and this April I had a tummy tuck to rid me of my excess skin. I never thought I’d feel my most confident in my 50s, yet here I am, enjoying every moment.”
Watch Kelayne’s video
More support for weight loss with diabetes
If you’re a Slimming World member and you have diabetes, or you’ve been told you’re at risk of developing it, we can help you eat well, be active and lose weight. You’ll find tailored advice for losing weight with type 1, type 2 and pre diabetes in this article.
5-day lower-carbohydrate menu
We’ve put together a special meal plan to give you taste of how Food Optimising works beautifully alongside a low-carb diet. If you’re a Slimming World member, log into our website and app to see the menu.
The study polled 268 Slimming World members with diabetes in May 2020 and was published in Archives of Diabetes & Obesity in 2021.
* Results throughout refer to members with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who’d lost at least 10% of their body weight