Our study of UK adults found that:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In contrast, our poll of Slimming World members found that eating a diet based around low energy dense foods \u2013 foods that contain fewer calories per gram \u2013 gives them the freedom to enjoy food and lose weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our study of Slimming World members showed:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Professor of appetite and energy balance James Stubbs from the University of Leeds says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe best evidence for effective, sustainable, weight loss is to use techniques to self-manage food intake, physical activity and lapses in weight that we all experience during a weight loss journey \u2013 and to use evidence-based behaviour change approaches that are more likely to help us change our habits around food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A lot of people give up on diets because they feel hungry or deprived. Eating low energy density foods can help overcome that problem. Gram for gram, low energy dense foods contain fewer calories than high energy density foods, so people are able to eat a larger volume of food for the same (or lower) calorie intake, leading them to feel fuller.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n Try a recipe: This delicious mac ‘n’ cheese will hit that comfort food spot<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019d lost count of the number of times I\u2019d tried to lose weight by calorie counting. After a few days of eating nothing but poached eggs or baked beans on toast, I\u2019d be ravenous and cranky. I\u2019d soon get tired of counting everything and go back to having toast smothered in Nutella for breakfast, sandwiches and a pasty at midday and a takeaway pizza in the evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Food Optimising was completely different. I started my days with lots of fresh fruit and fat-free natural yogurt. Lunch was a home-made soup or an omelette filled with plenty of veg, and for dinner I made something really tasty like beef tagliatelle or shepherd\u2019s pie. Because I was filling up on Free Foods like lean meats, fruits and vegetables, I didn\u2019t have to worry about counting calories all the time \u2013 and I didn\u2019t feel hungry at all. When I found out I\u2019d lost 6lbs after my first week, I started to believe I could actually lose weight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n More on the blog: Read Caitlin’s full story<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We have a deep understanding of the psychology of weight loss, developed over more than 50 years, including our liberating Food Optimising eating plan. We know that when a diet leaves you feeling hungry and deprived \u2013 as well as being difficult to follow \u2013 you\u2019re less likely to enjoy a successful slimming journey. That\u2019s why Food Optimising is so effective \u2013 it\u2019s an easy-to-follow healthy eating plan where we\u2019ve done the number crunching, so you don\u2019t have to!<\/p>\n\n\n\n More on the blog: Discover your five favourite Free Food recipes<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Carolyn Pallister, Slimming World\u2019s head of nutrition, research and health, says: \u201cWhile counting calories can work for some people and may work in the short term, the survey highlights how, for many slimmers, it can quickly become boring and limiting and leave you feeling hungry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From a health perspective and to aid weight-loss, it\u2019s important to think about the foods you eat and not only the number of calories in them. Choosing less energy-dense, more satiating foods which are high in protein and fibre will help to keep you fuller for longer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A key part of successful long-term weight management is giving people the know-how and support to change their habits around shopping and cooking. Members of our community-based groups learn to plan and base meals on foods which are naturally low in calories and that will fill them up and keep them satisfied for longer. These foods are the basis of a healthy diet so members learn to base meals and long-term eating habits on them and eat them without having to measure every mouthful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hear more from James and Carolyn in the Slimming World podcast Let’s talk calories<\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n More for members: You can find out more about how we make calories as easy as one, two, Free \u2013 and get plenty of ideas for making the most of Free Foods \u2013 in our Cut calories, without the counting<\/a><\/em> feature on the exclusive member website.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\u2018I lost over 7st and never counted a single calorie\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nHow Slimming World can help<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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