Members of the health industry have urged people to have a holistic approach to health amidst the decision by Slimming World to change its language around weight loss.
This follows Slimming World’s announcement last week they will be changing the word Syns into “Picks”.
Syns, short for synergy, was previously used to describe food high in calories, fats and sugars.
The weight-loss organisation offers a mix of eating plans and physical activity along with weekly support group meetings, but has become synonymous with its food labelling system, with dieters allocated an allocated number of Syns alongside ‘free’ food.
In the statement, Slimming World’s managing director Lisa Salmon said: “The weight management industry has transformed in recent years.
“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.”
Furthermore, the company announced that “healthy fats” such as nuts and nut butters, seeds, avocado and oils will now be included under “healthy extras”.
However, those in the nutrition industry have mixed views on the change of approach.
Opinions from London-based nutritionists
Isa Robinson, from south west London is a registered nutritionist who specialises in disordered eating.
She argued on the one hand it is a positive move to try and remove the stigma around less satiating foods but while she doesn’t normally support individuals with weight loss in her work, she tries to focus on healthy relationships with food.
Robinson said: “Labelling food as good or bad puts them on a pedestal. It is still equating weight and health rather than what wellbeing means to you.
“I hope we move towards a world where we just call the food what it is.”
She did acknowledge that “Slimming World is Slimming World” and individuals have autonomy over their own bodies.
London-based nutritional therapist Beanie Robinson echoed a similar sentiment about the importance of language in the discussion around nutrition.
She said: “Words have power so we have to be thoughtful and conscious with our choice of words.
“The last thing someone needs when they’re feeling vulnerable is to be made to feel like things they’re doing are sinful. That has really negative connotations.
“So It is very important that move away from this kind of language if we’re gonna empower people to make change.”
The UK’s leading eating disorder charity
The conversation around Slimming World’s language change is intertwined with discussions of the potential harmfulness of slimming clubs in general.
According to the UK’s leading eating disorder charity Beat, an estimated 1.25m people in the UK suffer from eating disorders.
Their head of services Kerri Fleming said: “From our perspective, using less stigmatising language when talking about food is always a good thing.
“However, this isn’t just about wording. Slimming clubs and similar organisations can reinforce weight stigma and contribute to the widespread narrative that being in a smaller body is better.
“We need to see positive changes to the conversation around weight loss.
“Again, it’s important to look at overall health holistically, rather than reinforcing the idea that it’s entirely based on your appearance or body type.
“The general conversation needs to move away from quick fixes or one size fits all weight loss approaches, and instead focus on sustainable, individualised health behaviours.”
The future of the conversation about weight
In the future, Beanie Robinson hopes there is a focus on big food manufacturing companies and the deceiving marketing of ultra-processed products.
She said: “If people are trying to build healthy habits, take a long term view. See it as slow and steady.”
Whereas Isa Robinson hoped that discussion around healthy food habits will become less binary.
She said: “How can we inspire the population to have a balanced diet instead of labelling that creates more anxiety?”
Slimming World will replace “Syns” along with enacting their other changes in January 2026.
If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s health, you can contact Beat, the UK’s eating disorder charity on 0808 801 0677 or here.
Featured image credit: Saskia Lonergan
