Hundreds of thousands of members of Slimming World groups across the UK are learning to make the most of the credit crunch by sharing tips and ideas about how to slim down their food bills as well as their waistlines. They’re cutting out takeaways and ready meals, spending less on crisps and biscuits and filling up on fruit and vegetables.

In a campaign launched after many Consultants reported that members were struggling with household bills, we set out to crack the credit crunch.

Driven by our 2,500 Consultants based at the heart of communities the campaign has gathered pace. Consultants are leading the way by surveying supermarket best food buys and sharing low-cost budget recipes for the whole family.

Caryl Richards, Slimming World Managing Director, says: “We got the message loud and clear from many of our 300,000 members that they were feeling the pinch. The last thing they wanted to do was give up their weight loss plans, so Consultants made it their mission to create a forum for sharing bargains and cooking on a budget.”

Members around the UK have been pooling ideas not just about how to boost their weight losses, but how to eat healthily and heartily without spending a fortune. Prices of some of the most popular fruit and vegetables have risen by up to 30 per cent at leading supermarket chains in the past year. So Consultants and members share news about the lowest supermarket prices and best value fruit and veg and Buy One Get One Free offers on healthy foods.

Results of a credit crunch survey showed that since joining Slimming World:

• 57% of members had reduced their spending on takeaways from an average £15 to £0
• 71% of members ate fewer takeaways
• 66% have fewer ready meals
• 81% spent less on biscuits, chocolates and crisps
• 95% eat more fruit and vegetables.

“We’re hearing that members are gathering to share news not just about reducing numbers on the scales, but about how to drop the size of their bills at the tills,” says Caryl.

“Keeping the cost of food down is all part of the challenge of healthy eating on a budget. Some members report having cut their shopping bill by half.

“Members of Slimming World groups have always shared food and recipe ideas to help keep them motivated and inspired for their weight loss. But now they’re sharing credit-crunch and money-saving tips too. Every week Consultants and members come to group with ideas about bargains and how to reduce their grocery bills. And in-between groups they’re texting, emailing and calling each other with news about the latest savings,” she adds.

In weekly groups, Consultants and members share tips and ideas about:

• how to prepare healthy fast foods like burgers and pizzas at home without having to spend on takeaways
• where to go for the cheapest prices and price comparison on similar products from different supermarkets
• sharing meal ideas to feed the family for a fiver
• how to prepare filling, credit-crunching, satisfying meals  like shepherd’s pie, pasta bakes, egg and chips
• offering incentives and membership discounts encourage members to stay on track with their healthy weight loss.

 To find your local warm and friendly group - and slim while you save - visit our nearest group page. Or take a look through our 'Save £££s and lose lbs' feature here...