By Steven Smith

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Slimming World has revealed that it will be “saying goodbye” to the term ‘Syns’ after a review of its language and terminology. Starting from January 2026, those following Slimming World’s Food Optimising healthy eating plan will see the introduction of a healthy fats choice, making foods like avocado and nut butters easier to include in their weekly meals, with an increased emphasis on the health benefits of these foods.

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.”

She added: “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.”

Slimming World’s healthy eating plan has been a weight loss solution for millions over the past 56 years. The flexible plan revolves around ‘Free Foods’, which are low in energy density, meaning they contain fewer calories per gram and are highly satisfying, allowing you to fill up on them without consuming too many calories.

There are over 350 basic Free Foods that can be eaten freely to satisfy your hunger, with no need to weigh or measure them. These include lean meats, poultry, fish, plant-based proteins, eggs, beans, fruit and veg, grains, potatoes and pasta.

The plan also encourages dieters to enjoy measured, daily portions of foods containing essential nutrients to ensure an overall balanced diet – these are referred to as Healthy Extras. To avoid feelings of deprivation and the urge to rebel, no food is banned and those foods that aren’t Free Foods or Healthy Extras can still be enjoyed in more controlled amounts.

Slimming World changes and new terms from January 2026

Starting from January 2026, those foods that are least satiating and high in energy density – foods like alcohol, crisps, chocolates or everyday essentials (a bit of butter, sauce or gravy with a meal) – will be known as Slimming World Individual Picks, or Swips. These foods are important because being able to enjoy your favourite foods without guilt makes the plan easier to stick to, so members can make lasting changes.

Lisa, who became a Slimming World member herself more than three decades ago, explained: “Our ethos is – and has always been – about lifting the burden of guilt people feel around food and their weight, and providing a healthy, flexible and realistic way of eating that fits with every lifestyle and can be kept up for the long term. We’ve had feedback that the word Syn suggested we wanted to make people feel ashamed about eating those higher calorie foods – which couldn’t be further from the truth.

“However, we recognise the power and impact of words, so while we’ve never wanted to make people feel guilty, ashamed or judged, it was important that we listened and made a change.”

Back in 2020, Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE discussed the terminology ‘Syns’ on the Slimming World Podcast. She revealed it had initially been ‘sin’, with the company’s programme once called the ‘Sin-a-Day plan’ and designed to mock the diets of that era which dictated what people should and shouldn’t consume.

She described how she altered the term to Syns (an abbreviation for synergy) to represent the crucial balance within the programme during the 2000s because times had evolved and the word was causing misunderstandings.

She participated in the most recent review of language, which was conducted alongside linguistics experts, prior to her passing in February 2025. Slimming World’s physical activity support programme, known as Body Magic, and IMAGE Therapy, an acronym for Individual Motivation and Group Experience, which describes the behaviour change support members receive in their weekly Slimming World group, are set to be renamed.

Starting from January 2026, Slimming World will simplify its language and refer to these as its active lifestyle programme and support system. The brand is also introducing a fresh new logo.

Starting from the new year, Healthy Extras will not only include fibre and calcium-rich foods but will also encourage the inclusion of healthy fats into members’ diets. These include nuts and nut butters, seeds, avocado and oils.

Members will have the option to choose three Healthy Extra portions from a list of calcium, fibre and healthy fats choices each day. They will be encouraged to select a variety of Healthy Extras for overall health, with at least one calcium choice a day to support the intake of this crucial nutrient.

Those following Slimming World’s plan have always been able to enjoy healthy fats, with oily fish included in Free Foods, nuts and seeds as part of their Healthy Extras and avocado or oils within their daily Syns allowance. The introduction of the healthy fats choice aims to highlight even more the health benefits of these foods.

Lisa explained: “No food has ever been banned at Slimming World and members have always been able to enjoy healthy fats. We hope though that moving these foods to a new Healthy Extra option will increase members’ understanding of healthy eating and better support them to maintain their new eating habits long after they reach their target weight.”

This alteration has been implemented following an assessment of Slimming World’s programme by its Nutrition, Research and Health Department, which consists of a team of dietitians, nutritionists and researchers. It mirrors current dietary trends and aims to make it even simpler for members to incorporate the programme into their real lives.

Key alterations for Slimming World in January 2026

‘Syns’ will be replaced by Swips – Slimming World Individual Picks

Healthy fats (e.g. nut butters and avocado) added to Healthy Extras

Terms ‘Body Magic’ and ‘IMAGE Therapy’ will be replaced

New logo introduced

Lisa said the modifications, which will appear on Slimming World’s website and app from mid-December and be updated in its printed member books from December 26, were about ensuring the programme continues to align with contemporary lifestyles.

She continued: “These updates are rooted in science, shaped by what our members tell us and designed to support people of all ages to lose weight in a way that’s healthy, sustainable and works long term.”