Healthy weight

A healthy lifestyle gives you more energy and reduces the risk of illness.

Eating well
Weight management service
Advice for families

Eating well

NHS food and diet information – how to maintain a balanced diet and nutrition of different foods.
The Eatwell Guide - advice from the NHS on to how to make balanced meals.
British Heart Foundation’s heart-healthy recipe finder – search by cooking time, cuisine and dietary requirements.

Support accessing food (including food banks)

To find food banks and other local services in your area:

visit your local Healthy Hub
contact Citizens Advice or Herts Help.

Financial support for families
Including free school meals and free food, milk and vitamins from the Healthy Start scheme.

Weight management service

Join the free 'My Healthy Weight' 14-week group programme by TBC Healthcare. Take charge of your health by managing your weight and making lasting lifestyle changes.

The programme offers:

Support from a team of health advisors
Weekly sessions that combine diet, behaviour change and activity
Fortnightly weight check-ins
Face-to-face or digital self-help learning.

Join the My Healthy Weight programme

Am I eligible?

You're eligible for the free 14-week programme if you:

are 18 years and above
live in Hertfordshire and/or are registered with a local GP
have a BMI ≥ 30, or BMI ≥ 27.5 for ethnic minority communities and individuals with long term health conditions
are motivated to make lifestyle changes
have not previously paid to attend My Healthy Weight sessions in the last 3 months
have not attended and completed a free course in the past 12 months (e.g. National Diabetes Prevention Programme (NDPP), Digital Weight Management Programme (DWMP), Shape Up, Weight Watchers, Oviva or Slimming World).

Self-help options

The NHS 12 week weight loss guide includes a meal plan and a schedule to help you track your food and exercise.

British Heart Foundation - take control of your weight - top tips for successful weight loss, simple food swaps and how to stay active after a heart event.

Advice for families

Pregnancy and the early years

My Healthy Pregnancy - for women who are planning to conceive, currently pregnant, or have recently given birth. It offers a year of support to maintain a healthy weight, with help from a maternity dietician and a health advisor. To sign up, speak to your midwife/GP or refer yourself.

NHS - healthy diet during pregnancy – including information on supplements, foods to avoid, free Healthy Start vitamins and food vouchers.
Start4Life – healthy eating advice from pregnancy until your child's second birthday.

Children and families

Change 4 Life – help your child maintain a healthy weight and stay active.
Beezee Families – a free programme to help the whole family maintain a healthy weight.
Food facts – find out what’s in the food your family eats.

Worried about your child?

If you are concerned that your child is underweight, showing signs of an eating disorder or needs body image support:

Speak to your GP
Contact Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
First Steps ED offer 'Skills for Carers' workshops.
The Living Room offers free group counselling.

NHS Weight Loss Plan

A 12-week plan to help you lose weight.

Active 10 app

Build up your daily walks – start with 10 minutes every day!

Easy Meals app

Meal ideas, recipes, cooking tips.

Food Scanner app

Find out what's really in your food and drink.

See all NHS health apps including BMI calculator and Couch to 5k app.

Information for professionals