Healthy weight

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

Eating well
Weight management services
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. Your local District’s Healthy Hub can provide you with advice about services available to you if you need some support accessing food for yourself or your family (such as food banks)

If you need support accessing food

If you need support accessing food for yourself or your family your local District’s Healthy Hub can provide you with advice about the services available in your area (such as food banks). Citizens Advice and Herts Help can also help you connect with locals services.

Pregnant women and families with children under four who receive certain benefits are eligible for Healthy Start digital card for free fruit, vegetables, and milk, and free Healthy Start vitamins. You can apply on the Herts Family Centre website.

Free school meals are available for all infants and for older children whose family gets certain benefits.

Weight management services

Oviva in partnership with Slimming World

This free 12-week programme puts you in control of your health, providing information on how to best manage your weight and to help you make long-term changes to your lifestyle

Slimming World offers weekly face to face group support. You are motivated and encouraged in the hour-long weekly meetings to share experiences, recipes and ideas with your group members in a warm, supportive environment.

Oviva offers a digital programme where you will receive weekly personalised support from a health coach on the Oviva app or via phone or video calls from the comfort of your own home.

Am I eligible for free support?

To qualify for the free 12-week programme you need to:

Be over 18 years of age.
Be living in Hertfordshire or registered with a Hertfordshire GP.
Have a BMI over 30 or a BMI over 27.5 if you are from an ethnic minority OR have a long-term condition, e.g. diabetes, COPD or CVD.
Not previously paid to attend Slimming World or Oviva sessions in the last 3 months.
Have not attended a free 12-week WW (Weight Watchers) or Shape Up programme in the past 12 months.

If you would like to check you BMI, click here

Find out more and sign up here or ask your GP or other healthcare professional to refer you directly or

NHS 12 week weight loss guide

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 - all available for free at Taking control of your weight - British Heart Foundation (bhf.org.uk).

Eating disorders and body image support

If you are concerned about yourself or your child developing an eating disorder, speak to your GP. You can also contact Herts Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT), who provide mental health services in Hertfordshire, via the Single Point of Access (SPA) – 0800 6444 101.

If your child is showing early signs of eating disordered behaviour or poor body image, First Steps ED provide a fully funded programme of support to parents and carers. You can also email them at info@firststepsed.co.uk and ask about the ‘Skills for Carers’ programme in Hertfordshire.

The Living Room offers free group counselling that is non-time-limited for those who experience Disordered Eating, for more information visit their website. Eating Disorders | The Living Room (livingroomherts.org)

Advice for families

Pregnancy and the early years

NHS - healthy diet during pregnancy – including information on supplements, foods to avoid, free Healthy Start vitamins and food vouchers.
The free digital Health and Wellness in Pregnancy programme is led by qualified dieticians and offers health, weight and wellness support throughout pregnancy. Referral criteria applies. Ask your GP or midwife to refer you directly.
Start4Life – healthy eating advice from pregnancy until your child's second birthday.

Children and families

Change 4 Life – how to help your child maintain a healthy weight and stay active.
Beezee Families – a free programme for helping the whole family maintain a healthy weight.
Food facts – find out what’s in the food your family eats.
Free school meals – how to access benefits-related free school meals.

Worried your child may be underweight?

Please speak to your GP if you are concerned.

In addition, if your child is showing signs of eating disordered behaviour or poor body image, there is fully funded support available for you. Visit Skills for Carers - First Steps ED for more information, or you can email info@firststepsed.co.uk and ask about the ‘Skills for Carers’ programme in Hertfordshire.

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.

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