Food Optimising

Food Optimising leads to weight-loss through a calorie-restricted diet. On the plan many foods, known as "free foods," which are judged to have a low calorie content for how filling they are or how nutritious they are, may be eaten in unrestricted amounts. Members are encouraged to eat four small portions per day of foods which are higher in calories, but which provide ample supplies of vitamins, minerals or dietary fibre. These are called "healthy extras." All other foods need to be measured and have their so-called syn value (explained below) counted against a daily allowance.

The Food Optimising plan classifies each day as an original (or red) day or a green day. Many foods are classified differently depending on whether it is a red or green day.

The red day "free foods" include most fruits and vegetables, white fish, lean meats and eggs. The restricted "healthy extras" include milk, cheese, bread, grains, beans, potatoes and dried fruits.

The green day "free foods" include fruit and vegetables, grains, beans, pasta, tofu, and eggs. The "healthy extras" include milk, cheese, bread, dried fruit, nuts and seeds, meat, and fish.

All other foods are assigned a syn value by Slimming World based on their nutritional profile. Syn values are not simply based on calories, but are determined by a proprietary calculation. Slimming World members must check the food's value in a book produced by Slimming World, or on the Slimming World website (which is free to all members).