By Emily Parker,Steven Smith

Copyright manchestereveningnews

Slimming World has announced it will be “saying goodbye” to one piece of well-known terminology used by the company. Following a review of its language, Slimming World has revealed it will be no longer using the term ‘Syns’. The term, which is short for synergy, will now be replaced by the acronym Swips – Slimming World Individual Picks. The change will also see Slimming World’s healthy eating plan, Food Optimising, introducing a healthy fats choice from January 2026, with the move intended to help members incorporate foods like avocado and nut butters into their diet, the Mirror reports . 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. Never miss a story with the MEN’s daily Catch Up newsletter – get it in your inbox by signing up here “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.” Founder of Slimming World Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE discussed the term ‘Syns’ on the Slimming World Podcast in 2020. 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 she changed the term to ‘Syns’ to reflect the crucial balance within the brand’s plan in the 2000s, as times had changed and the word was causing misunderstandings. She also participated in the most recent review of the terminology which she completed in collaboration with linguistics specialists, before her passing in February 2025. Alongside these changes, Slimming World is also expected to change the terms Body Magic and IMAGE Therapy from January 2026, with these being replaced by its active lifestyle programme and support system, respectively. Slimming World has promoted their healthy eating plan for the past 56 years, which revolves around ‘Free Foods’ that 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. The diet brand promotes these foods as able to be eaten freely, without the need to weigh or measure them. These foods include lean meats, poultry, fish, plant-based proteins, eggs, beans, fruit and veg, grains, potatoes and pasta. The plan also promotes members to enjoy measured, daily portions of foods containing essential nutrients to ensure an overall balanced diet – these are dubbed Healthy Extras. However no foods are off-limit as part of Slimming World’s plan, and foods that aren’t Free Foods or Healthy Extras can still be enjoyed in more controlled amounts. Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE