NHS ‘Soups and Shakes’ Diet for Type 2 Diabetes Remission to Expand to 10,000 More People in England

The NHS ‘Soups and Shakes’ Diet to Expand to Help People With Type 2 Diabetes Go Into Remission

The NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission programme is set to be extended to over 10,000 more individuals living with type 2 diabetes in England this year, doubling its capacity and offering hope for those looking to go into remission.

The programme, a collaboration between Diabetes UK and NHS England, provides a low-calorie diet and support to people recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes who are living with obesity or overweight. Participants receive nutritionally balanced soups and shakes for up to 12 weeks to kick-start weight loss, followed by a year of support to reintroduce healthy solid foods and maintain their weight loss.

The expansion of the programme comes after a successful pilot in 2020, where over 20,000 people took part and lost an average of 13kg over the course of the year. The results have shown that remission from type 2 diabetes is possible for some individuals, with the potential to stay in remission for at least five years.

Colette Marshall, Chief Executive of Diabetes UK, expressed excitement over the programme’s expansion, noting the positive impact it has had on participants’ health and well-being. She emphasized the importance of remission in transforming the lives of individuals with type 2 diabetes and reducing the risk of long-term complications.

To be eligible for the programme, individuals must meet specific criteria, including being between 18 and 65 years old, having been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within the last six years, and having a BMI above a certain threshold. Referrals can be made by GPs, and support is provided through face-to-face consultations, group sessions, or digitally via an app or online platform.

The success of the Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission programme has laid the groundwork for future research and support initiatives aimed at helping more individuals with type 2 diabetes achieve remission. The DiRECT and ReTUNE studies have shown promising results, paving the way for new projects like NewDAWN, which aims to develop a range of weight loss diets to cater to different individuals’ needs.

Overall, the expansion of the NHS ‘soups and shakes’ programme represents a significant step forward in diabetes care, offering hope and support to those looking to tackle their condition and improve their health.