Slimming World member slashes her takeaway spending and loses 5st – as new research reveals the UK’s costly fast-food habit
A mum from Brecon has shared how joining Slimming World helped her rebuild her confidence and save more than £100 a week on takeaways – as new research shows she’s far from alone in being shocked by the true cost of having a fast-food habit.
Whitley Lloyd, 34, turned to food for comfort after losing her nan at 24, relying on up to four takeaways a week at around £30 each. She says: “I didn’t realise how much it all added up. Looking back now, it’s shocking to think about how much money I was spending.
“Before Slimming World, I’d barely eat during the day, only to end up having takeaways and snacks late at night. I used to think takeaways were a treat, yet I found I wasn’t enjoying them anymore – they were making me feel poorly and giving me headaches.”
Since joining Slimming World, Whitley has swapped late night‑ takeaways for homemade “fakeaways” and discovered a love of home cooking while dramatically cutting her food spending. She says: “When I think I was spending up to £500 a month on takeaways and now, I’m not only saving money – I’ve only had four takeaways this year – I’m also proud of the fantastic healthy meals I can cook.”
Whitley’s experience reflects the findings from a new UK-wide ‑poll[1], which shows the cost of the nation’s fast-food habit:
- 60% of people spend up to £50 a week on takeaways and high-fat convenience foods
- 29% spend over £100 a month on frozen items like nuggets and chips
- 47% believe they’d save a significant amount by cutting back
- Yet 20% don’t feel confident cooking from scratch
When people do cook at home, the benefits are clear: 46% save money, 40% feel healthier and 29% say their family eats better.
The turning point for Whitley came when she saw a photo of herself at a family party. Encouraged by a friend, she joined her local Slimming World group – a decision she says: “changed everything”.
At the time Whitley, who is 5ft 3in, weighed 15st 9lbs. She says: “That first week I threw myself into the healthy eating plan and I lost 5lbs. It was a huge moment for me. For the first time, I realised losing weight was possible!”
With the support of her Consultant Jo and fellow members, Whitley learned to cook satisfying, budget-friendly meals from scratch. Whitley says: Before I joined Jo’s group I hadn’t realised I could cook such tasty, healthy meals using low price, everyday ingredients. Jo’s shown me the key to lasting weight loss is being consistent. Things like thinking ahead and planning my meals for the week – having those ‘go‑to’ recipes ready stopped me reaching for takeaways and I started enjoying my food more.
“I’ve had struggles along the way, yet Jo’s helped me spot my danger times – like when I’m going out with the girls, Jo’s helped me realise I can still enjoy those night outs and stay on plan by being more mindful of what I’m eating or drinking.”
With food inflation continuing to affect households across the UK, many people believe that healthy eating is more expensive. Whitley found this wasn’t the case though: “I’ve lost weight by eating delicous, satisfying meals, saved money and discovered I’m a really good cook. My most recent success was a vegetable madras it was amazing. My dad’s a real foodie and he always asks when I’m making his favourite Slimming World meals.”
Whitley, who lives with her husband Sean and her daughter Aleena, 12, has gone from a size 18 to a size 10. She says: “I used to get out of breath doing almost anything – even just going up the stairs. I’d previously worked as a hairdresser and being on my feet all day, I’d end each shift in so much pain. Since losing weight and gradually becoming more active with Slimming World’s active lifestyle programme, I was able to complete Couch to 5k. I cried when I finished it. I never believed I’d be able to do something like that. I’m happier, healthier and truly myself again. Slimming World didn’t just help me lose weight – it gave me back my spark, my confidence and control of my finances.”
Slimming World’s own member survey shows the potential savings even more starkly. The study[2] of over 1,500 members – over three quarters of whom (77%) have lost more than a stone – reveals a significant financial benefit for members. Before joining, 88% spent up to £100 a week on takeaways and convenience foods. Since joining, 39% say they’ve cut these purchases out entirely – a change that could save households over £5,000 a year.
Slimming World’s evidence-based programme has been helping people to build healthy habits around food, drink and activity for 56 years.
Whitley’s story captures exactly what we’re seeing in our research. So many of us are juggling busy lives and tight budgets so it’s completely understandable that convenience foods and takeaways can feel like the easiest option. Some might believe they’re the cheaper option too, when in fact ordering a takeaway can mean spending upwards of £30 on one meal. Our findings show – and what Whitley has found – is that with the right support, cooking from scratch can be just as convenient, far more fulfilling and significantly less expensive. Small changes can lead to big savings and even bigger health benefits. Whitley’s journey shows that you don’t need hours in the kitchen to make a real difference – just the right encouragement and support.
I could burst with pride for Whitley. When she first walked into group, she was so nervous and unsure of herself. The confidence she has now, the joy she brings into group, the way she’s taken control of her life and reduced her spending – it’s honestly inspiring. Whitley’s success shows exactly what’s possible when you’ve got the right support behind you. By joining a Slimming World group, you get a full year of support for around the same cost as just one month of weight-loss injections – it just goes to show real transformation doesn’t have to break the bank.
Group: Whitley attends Jo Thomas’ Slimming World group in Brecon – contact Jo on 07411891480 for more information. To join your local Slimming World group or sign up online for even more recipes, guidance and support, visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk or call 0344 897 8000.
Whitley Lloyd, 34
Starting weight: 15st 9lbs/99.3kg
Weight lost: 4st 12lbs/30.8kg
Current weight: 10st 11lbs/68.5kg
Height: 5ft 3in/160cm
[1] Research conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2000 General Respondents across the UK between 11.03.2026 - 16.03.2026.
[2] Research conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 1,656 Slimming World Members between 11.03.2026 - 17.03.2026. Censuswide is a member of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the British Polling Council (BPC), and a signatory of the Global Data Quality Pledge. We adhere to the MRS Code of Conduct and ESOMAR principles.