Slimming World has announced that it will be making a number of changes to its healthy eating plan
Slimming World has revealed that it will be “saying goodbye” to the term ‘Syns’ following a review of its language and terminology. Starting from January 2026, members who are on Slimming World’s healthy eating plan, Food Optimising, will also see the introduction of a healthy fats choice, making foods like avocado and nut butters easier to incorporate into their weekly diet, with an increased emphasis on the health benefits of these foods.
Lisa Salmon, Slimming World’s managing director, said: “Our methods remain largely unchanged since Slimming World was founded by the late Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE in 1969. Just like Margaret always did, we’re constantly listening to our members, to the consultants who run our groups and to the latest science to ensure Slimming World remains the most effective and realistic way to achieve lasting weight loss.
“The weight management industry has transformed in recent years – most notably with the rise of weight loss medications – and we believe the role of lifestyle-based solutions like Slimming World is more important than ever. Language matters and we know ‘Syns’ can be misunderstood or be a barrier for some people who want and need support to reach a healthy weight. We want everyone to feel welcome at Slimming World and we hope making this change will help.”
Slimming World’s healthy eating plan has been a game-changer for millions over the past 56 years. The flexible plan revolves around ‘Free Foods’, which are low in energy density, meaning they pack fewer calories per gram, and are highly satisfying, allowing you to fill up on them without piling on the pounds.
There’s a whopping list of more than 350 basic Free Foods that can be eaten freely to satisfy your hunger, with no need to weigh or measure them. This includes lean meats, poultry, fish, plant-based proteins, eggs, beans, fruit and veg, grains, potatoes and pasta.
The plan also nudges slimmers to enjoy measured, daily portions of foods containing essential nutrients to ensure an overall balanced diet – these are dubbed Healthy Extras. To avoid feelings of deprivation and the urge to rebel, no food is off-limits and those foods that aren’t Free Foods or Healthy Extras can still be enjoyed in more controlled amounts.
Slimming World changes and new terms from January 2026
From January 2026, those foods that are least satiating and high in energy density – foods like alcohol, crisps, chocolates or everyday essentials (a bit of butter, sauce or gravy with a meal) – will be known as Slimming World Individual Picks, or Swips. These foods are crucial because being able to enjoy your favourite foods without guilt makes the plan easier to stick to, so members can make lasting changes.
Lisa, who became a member of Slimming World over three decades ago, stated: “Our ethos is – and has always been – about lifting the burden of guilt people feel around food and their weight, and providing a healthy, flexible and realistic way of eating that fits with every lifestyle and can be kept up for the long term. We’ve had feedback that the word Syn suggested we wanted to make people feel ashamed about eating those higher calorie foods – which couldn’t be further from the truth.
“However, we recognise the power and impact of words, so while we’ve never wanted to make people feel guilty, ashamed or judged, it was important that we listened and made a change.”
In 2020, Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE discussed the term ‘Syns’ on the Slimming World Podcast. She explained that it was originally ‘sin’, with the organisation’s plan once dubbed the ‘Sin-a-Day plan’, intended to mock the diets of the time that dictated what people should and shouldn’t eat.
She revealed how she altered the term to Syns (short for synergy) to reflect the crucial balance within the plan in the 2000s because times had changed and the word was causing misunderstandings. She participated in the most recent review of terminology, completed in collaboration with linguistics specialists, before her passing in February 2025.
Slimming World is set to undergo a major revamp, with the terms Body Magic and IMAGE Therapy being replaced from January 2026. The company’s physical activity support programme and behaviour change support will be referred to as its active lifestyle programme and support system, respectively.
A new logo is also on the cards for the brand. Starting from the new year, Slimming World will encourage members to incorporate fibre, calcium-rich foods, and healthy fats into their diets. Foods such as nuts, nut butters, seeds, avocado, and oils will be promoted.
Members will be advised to select three Healthy Extra portions daily from a list of calcium, fibre, and healthy fats choices. They’ll be encouraged to opt for a variety of Healthy Extras for overall health, including at least one calcium choice a day to boost intake of this crucial nutrient.
While followers of Slimming World’s plan have always been able to enjoy healthy fats, the introduction of the healthy fats choice aims to highlight the health benefits of these foods even more. Oily fish, nuts and seeds, and avocado or oils have traditionally been part of the Free Foods, Healthy Extras, and daily Syns allowance, respectively.
Lisa explained: “No food has ever been banned at Slimming World and members have always been able to enjoy healthy fats. We hope though that moving these foods to a new Healthy Extra option will increase members’ understanding of healthy eating and better support them to maintain their new eating habits long after they reach their target weight.”
This alteration has been implemented following an assessment of Slimming World’s programme by its Nutrition, Research and Health Department, which comprises a team of dietitians, nutritionists and researchers.
It mirrors current dietary trends and aims to make it even simpler for members to incorporate the programme into their everyday lives.
Key alterations for Slimming World in January 2026
‘Syns’ will be replaced by Swips – Slimming World Individual Picks
Healthy fats (e.g. nut butters and avocado) added to Healthy Extras
Terms ‘Body Magic’ and ‘IMAGE Therapy’ will be replaced
New logo introduced
Lisa revealed the modifications, which will appear on Slimming World’s website and app from mid-December and be updated in its printed member books from December 26, were about ensuring the programme continues to align with contemporary lifestyles.
She continued: “These updates are rooted in science, shaped by what our members tell us and designed to support people of all ages to lose weight in a way that’s healthy, sustainable and works long term.”