This World Diabetes Day, over two hundred people in Birmingham and Solihull are successfully tackling Type 2 diabetes thanks to the NHS Low Calorie Diet.

Locally, 237 Type 2 diabetics have lost an average of 1st 13lbs each after completing the first 12 weeks of the NHS Low Calorie Diet, with research showing that losing between 1st 7lbs and 2st 7lbs can result in a 60 to 90% chance of putting Type 2 diabetes into remission.

The NHS Low Calorie Diet is a year-long plan available to patients who are aged 18-65, diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in the last six years and meet other eligibility criteria.

The diet provides participants with three months of specially formulated meal replacements, such as low-calorie shakes, soups and bars, followed by virtual support from a coach to maintain long-term healthy eating and activity.

Thanks to the NHS Low Calorie Diet, James Thompson, 33, from Acocks Green, Birmingham, has lost 14st 13lbs – over half his total body weight, and his diabetes is in remission.

The 33-year-old security guard was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in June 2017 and he was referred to the NHS Low Calorie Diet in May 2021 by his GP practice.

After years spent indulging in takeaways and unhealthy foods, as well as struggling stay active, James weighed 27st 11lbs in 2021.

James said: “A nurse at my GP practice referred me to the NHS Low Calorie Diet.

“I was worried about my health  and saw the programme as my last chance to become healthy.”

The NHS Low Calorie Diet, also known as the ‘soups and shakes diet’, would help James tackle his diabetes and his weight.

James started losing weight during the meal replacement phase of the NHS Low Calorie Diet.

James said: “I really enjoyed the chocolate orange shake, golden syrup porridge and sweet and sour noodles.

“Having some sweeter flavours helped me to manage my cravings as I’d always had a sweet tooth.

“After the first month on the diet, I noticed I was more alert – and then started to feel so much better.

“After three months, once the meal replacement phase was over, I was eating more vegetables, salads and high-fibre foods.

“I began cycling to and from work, upped my daily steps and even started taking healthy packed meals to work.

“Learning to plan my meals was really important as I switched between day and night shifts over the 12-month programme.”

As well as providing the total diet replacement products for three months, the year-long NHS Low Calorie Diet also offers twenty virtual group sessions with support from a trained coach.

James said: “My sessions were all virtual on Zoom, and the support from my group was invaluable.

“I was so inspired by how people managed to overcome really difficult challenges and do so well.

“My family were also great, even keeping their favourite junk foods out of the house.

“I now weigh 12st 13lbs, having lost over half my starting weight!

“I discovered my diabetes was in remission in June 2022, and I’m not on medications anymore and I don’t need any diabetes treatment.

“I’m happier, more confident  and I sleep better.

“I’d really recommend you do the programme and see the results for yourself.”

As well as helping individuals lead happier and healthier lives, enhanced action on obesity and diabetes is also expected to save the NHS money and free up staff time.

Many patients reduce or stop medications and experience a wide range of other benefits from feeling and sleeping better to having less pain and fewer diabetes complications.

Diabetes is estimated to cost the NHS £10 billion a year, while almost one in 20 prescriptions written by GPs is for diabetes treatment.

Dr Richard Mendelsohn, Transitional Associate Medical Director for NHS Birmingham and Solihull, said: “We are delighted that the NHS Low Calorie Diet programme is giving patients like James the opportunity to transform their lives, reversing diabetes and sustaining their weight loss.

“There has never been a more important time for people to lose weight and put their Type 2 diabetes into remission, so it’s good news for patients in the Midlands that practical measures like this are increasingly available on the NHS.”

The NHS Low Calorie Diet is being provided in Birmingham and Solihull as part of an NHS drive to increase access to this life-changing programme.

Patients must be aged 18-65, diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in the last six years and meet other eligibility criteria, as described on the website of Momenta Newcastle, who provide the service.

For more information about the programme and its eligibility criteria, please visit: momentanewcastle.com/patients-bsol2