Discover the difference Slimming World or Weight Watchers

Slimming World’s no-hunger, flexible healthy eating plan is called Food Optimising. At the heart of the plan is Free Food – a huge and varied list of over 350 foods and drinks that you can enjoy with no limits until you feel full – there’s no need to count, weigh or measure. Think pasta, rice and potatoes, fresh fruit and veg, eggs and fat-free dairy products, lean meat, poultry, and plant-based proteins – delicious, nutritious, everyday foods that satisfy your appetite while naturally limiting your calorie intake. You’ll never be short of choice! 

On top of all that, to ensure you’re getting a varied, nutritious (and delicious!) diet, you can enjoy measured portions of foods providing fibre and other important nutrients – including wholemeal bread and cereals, calcium-rich foods, like cheese and milk, plus nuts, seeds, avocado and oils to provide healthy fats.  

You’ll have some ‘Swips’ to play with each day too, so you never feel deprived or like you’re missing out on your favourite things. Use them on absolutely anything – a glass of wine, some chocolate or crisps, a blob of mayo or ketchup. Nothing’s banned with Food Optimising – it’s all about the balance.  

Food Optimising is so flexible, you can tailor it precisely to you (and anyone else you might be cooking for at home) – your lifestyle, your dietary needs, your trigger foods, and other psychological stoppers that might have prevented you from losing weight in the past. With Slimming World, you can eat the food you love and still lose weight. Read more on the science behind Slimming World. 

Weight Watchers typically update their plan every year or two. Their current Points Programme plan uses a questionnaire and a computer algorithm to work out your personal Points Budget – which varies from person to person and is based on your age, weight, likes and dislikes. There is a list of 350+ ZeroPoint Foods, which can be eaten in unlimited amounts, including chicken breast, tofu, eggs, beans and lentils. 

Weight Watchers changed their plan in November 2022 and some foods that were previously included in the ZeroPoint Foods list, such as pasta, noodles, brown rice and fruits, now have a Points value. You can add extra points to your day by exercising, although Weight Watchers have dropped the option to add further Points by drinking water and tracking non-starchy veg. (1) 

For sources, visit the ‘Where did this information come from?’ section. 

Slimming World members typically lose 1-2lbs per week by following our healthy eating plan, Food Optimising, although many of our members lose more than this – especially in their early weeks. And your target weight is your choice. We call it your Personal Achievement Target and once you reach it, we’ll continue supporting you with a specific, personalised weight maintenance plan, called Slim for Life. We’ll give you free lifetime membership, too, entitling you to come to any Slimming World group free of charge and get ongoing access to our members’ app and website, as long as you remain within 3lbs of your target weight. 

Our effectiveness is just one of the reasons why we meet the guidance set by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, and are a chosen partner of the NHS.  

With Weight Watchers’ Points Programme, you’ll typically lose 1-2lbs per week. Like Slimming World, Weight Watchers meet the guidance for the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, and partner with the NHS to provide weight loss support to eligible patients. Weight Watchers also offer free membership to members who achieve their target weight range, although they don’t provide a specially designed maintenance plan. (2) 

For sources, visit the ‘Where did this information come from?’ section. 

Weight Watchers members can ‘earn’ more Points when they’re active. They also offer live, on-demand video and audio workouts for all abilities in the Weight Watchers app. Members can track activity through the app, although they don’t receive awards or any specific help to get started. (3)  

For sources, visit the ‘Where did this information come from?’ section. 

With more than 12,300 sessions running all over the UK and Ireland each week, Slimming World has more groups than any other weight loss organisation, so wherever you are, there’ll be a warm and friendly Slimming World group near you. 

Our methods are deeply rooted in the psychology of weight loss and behaviour change. Each week, every member leaves group with a personalised plan for the week ahead – topped up with recipe ideas, caring support and inspiration from a highly trained Consultant and a community of people who really get it. You’ll identify your personal danger zones and self-sabotage traps, and create strategies to overcome them. It’s powerful stuff. That’s why research shows that you’re more likely to lose weight as part of a group than if you go it alone. You'll also get access to our top-rated members-only app to help you make great food choices in seconds – plus there’s plenty of motivation and inspiration to support you outside of group.  

Find out more about the magic of Slimming World groups.  

Dr Jacquie Lavin, Slimming World’s special advisor on the science of weight management, says: “The feeling of being part of something and knowing that others genuinely care about your success is arguably as important as our eating plan when it comes to successful weight loss, as it’s what keeps members coming back week after week to get the support they need.” 

What if I don’t want to join a group?  

We know from the very latest research that being connected in real life is the very best form of weight loss support – for a whole host of reasons – and being connected digitally is the next best thing. That’s why we have a digital membership option for members who can't make it to a Slimming World group. Our Slimming World Online members weigh in at home, submit their weight via our app and get tailored weekly support, access to regular virtual live events and our friendly online Community. Our Derbyshire-based support team are on hand for live chat, too, seven days a week (including bank holidays). 

Weight Watchers have Workshops around the UK, although, unlike Slimming World, there are none in the Republic of Ireland. Members download the Weight Watchers app, which is geared around four pillars: food, activity, mindset and sleep. Each week, the app gives you a weekly technique to help you stay on track, with activity and sleep recommendations. (4)  

For sources, visit the ‘Where did this information come from?’ section. 

Weight Watchers Workshop members receive a slim quick-start guide and a weekly support email giving useful advice and recommending products. Members are primarily supported through their app, which features:   

• an online questionnaire (when you join) to establish your Points Budget and suggest ways to ‘spend’ your points  

• online recipes  

• a restaurant database 

• a list of ZeroPoint Foods, which can be eaten in unlimited quantities  

• a 24/7 live chat facility  

• on-demand workouts and meditations for improved sleep  

• a barcode scanner (5) 

For sources, visit the ‘Where did this information come from?’ section. 

Weight Watchers have a wide range of special offers. Members must be over 18 to join, and enter into a contract to pay for a one-month, three-month or 10-month subscription by Direct Debit. A rolling one-month subscription is £18.95 per month. This can be cancelled by members at any time through the website. (6) 

For sources, visit the ‘Where did this information come from?’ section. 

Weight Watchers’ programme is not designed for pregnant members, and Weight Watchers doesn’t allow pregnant women to join. Women who are already members when they become pregnant are recommended to cancel their membership and to rejoin post-pregnancy, as and when they and their healthcare provider feels they’re ready.  (7) 

For sources, visit the ‘Where did this information come from?’ section.

(1) Weight Watchers website and WWUK Facebook page 

(2) Weight Watchers website 

(3) Weight Watchers website 

(4) Birmingham Mail, WW annual report and Weight Watchers website 

(5) Weight Watchers website 

(6) Weight Watchers website 

(7) Weight Watchers website 

All information correct at time of publishing.