Information for Referrals & Diabetic Members | WW UK

WW are contracted to provide a continued weight management service to the Healthier You members and specific Tier 2 regions.

We work with an expert dietician to provide this service. It is important that the referral team are contacted at the earliest opportunity via email (referrals@ww.com) so they can determine the contracts within each area.

The members can of course stay at the workshop for the week that have shared their exciting news. All support throughout the members pregnancy from then onwards, will be determined by the referrals team.

WW is a science-based behavior change program that helps members lose weight through healthier eating, regular physical activity, good sleep, and a helpful mindset. As a result, WW is uniquely positioned to help people living with diabetes—an increasingly common chronic condition that disproportionately affects those with higher body weights—on their weight-loss and wellness journey. In a previous pilot of the Diabetes-tailored plan, 79% of participants stated that the plan was easy to follow, 76% said that this plan made living with diabetes easier, and 78% felt like it was tailored to people living with diabetes.

The Diabetes-tailored Points® plan gives members living with diabetes another way to live the new Points®program. Based on recommendations from the American Diabetes Association (ADA)1 and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), this plan has been tailored to the unique needs of people living with diabetes.

As with all of WW’s individualized food plans, the Diabetes-tailored plan leverages the new Points® system and encourages members to eat more healthy foods (like those that are rich in fiber, non-starchy veggies, lean proteins, and healthy fats) and fewer foods high in added sugar and saturated fat.

Every WW member gets a personalized ZeroPoint™ food list based on the foods they enjoy eating. For members living with diabetes, higher carb options will not be ZeroPoint™ foods.

And like all members, those living with diabetes have the opportunity to earn Points® for healthy behaviors. There are three ways to earn more Points—eating non-starchy veggies, reaching a daily water goal, and being active.

No. The Diabetes-tailored Points® plan will be launched as part of the new WW Points® programme. Members living with diabetes can enjoy all aspects of the new WW Points® program and have the opportunity to earn more Points by eating non-starchy vegetables, drinking water, and being active. The only difference is that members on the Diabetes-tailored plan have an individualized ZeroPoint™ foods list that takes into account not only their food preferences but also their health condition.

Once you answer ‘yes’ to the question, “Are you living with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes?” and complete the food preferences quiz, we will use your answers to create a personalized food plan that takes your health condition into account. We’ll customize your ZeroPoint™ foods list, balanced with your Points® Budget, to ensure that it reflects your food preferences and is also appropriate for someone living with diabetes. This means that foods that are higher in carbohydrates (e.g. fruit, oatmeal, dairy) will not be on your ZeroPoint™ foods list as they can raise your blood sugar more than other types of food. We’re making this Points® plan even more tailored to you!

If one of your WW goals is to better manage your diabetes with sustainable behavioral changes (e.g., healthy eating and being active) and weight loss, then you might consider switching to the Diabetes-tailored Points® plan, which is specifically customized to help you establish healthy habits as a person living with diabetes. (You’ll do this by indicating that you are living with diabetes when you take the food preferences quiz.)

Our Diabetes-tailored Points® plan provides a personalized ZeroPoint™ foods list that takes into consideration both your unique food preferences and that you are living with diabetes. Foods that are higher in carbohydrates (e.g., fruit, oatmeal, dairy) will not be on your ZeroPoint™ foods list as they can raise your blood sugar more than foods that are lower in carbohydrates such as non-starchy vegetables, healthy fats, and lean proteins. In addition to the new Points® system promoting weight loss, our diabetes-tailored plan may also help with blood sugar management since higher carbohydrate foods will need to be weighed, measured, and tracked to help avoid blood sugar spikes.

Yes! Our rigorous testing has proven that it is. You’ll still experience all the exciting new aspects of the new WW Points® program: an updated Points® algorithm based on the latest nutritional science, personalized ZeroPoint™ foods, and fresh ways to customize—and even boost—your Points® Budget with healthy habits. The only difference is if you’re living with diabetes, we’ve tailored your food plan to ensure that your personalized foods will help you manage your blood sugar.

No, there will be no price change for the Diabetes-tailored Points® plan within each membership tier.

The Diabetes-tailored Points® plan is for people who have been told by their doctor or another healthcare provider that they have either type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

At this time, members with prediabetes will not be offered the diabetes-tailored plan. The general WW experience is safe and effective in terms of weight loss and wellness for members with prediabetes.

The WW program isn’t designed for members who are pregnant and therefore the diabetes-tailored plan is not for members with gestational diabetes.

Yes, you should communicate with your doctor or other healthcare provider that you are starting WW and following the Diabetes-tailored Points® plan. As recommended by the American Diabetes Association and the International Diabetes Federation, continue to check your blood sugar based on your individual needs and the recommendations from your provider. Stay in regular contact with your healthcare provider about when and how to check your blood sugar levels and for any other questions about how to best manage your diabetes.

With the new WW Points® Program, your ZeroPoint™ foods list is customized for YOU. Instead of three plans, there are now over 50 different ZeroPoint™ foods list options for people living with diabetes! Your ZeroPoint™ foods list is based on the foods you enjoy, and not everyone enjoys the same foods. Your personalized ZeroPoint™ foods list, balanced with your Points® Budget, is designed to help you lose weight and manage your blood sugar.

Yes. Your personalized ZeroPoint™ foods list is balanced with your Points® Budget. It is designed to help you lose weight and manage your blood sugar.

No! Our scientifically-proven Points® system is designed to guide everyone towards foods that are higher in fiber, protein, and unsaturated fat (the good-for-you fats!) and lower in added sugar and saturated fat (the less good-for-you fats!). No one plan is healthier than another.

The personalized ZeroPoint™ foods on the diabetes-tailored plan are part of a healthy pattern of eating designed for people living with diabetes. They were specifically selected by our nutrition and diabetes experts because they are lower in carbohydrates and less likely to raise your blood sugar. The benefit of the Diabetes-tailored Points® plan is that it takes into account the foods you enjoy eating and builds an individualized plan that helps you stay fuller longer, lose weight, and manage your blood sugar in a healthy way.

With the Diabetes-tailored PersonalPoints™ plan, your ZeroPoint™ foods list is personalized for you. Instead of fitting into one of three plans, now there are more than 50 different ZeroPoint™ foods list options for people living with diabetes - so the plan fits into your lifestyle! Your ZeroPoint™ foods list is based on the foods you enjoy eating. A longer list of ZeroPoint™ foods might mean a lower PersonalPoints™ Budget and a shorter list of ZeroPoint™ foods might mean a higher PersonalPoints™ Budget. That’s why your list might look different than someone else’s. Your personalized ZeroPoint™ foods list, balanced with your PersonalPoints™ Budget, is designed to help you lose weight and manage your blood sugar.

Once you take the food preferences quiz and indicate that you are living with diabetes, we’ll use your answers to create a food plan that takes your diabetes into account. You’ll receive a personalised ZeroPoint ™foods list, and a Points® Budget that not only reflects your food preferences but is designed to help you manage your blood sugar while losing weight.

If you’re living with diabetes, our new food preferences quiz matches you with a ZeroPoint™ foods list made up of foods you enjoy eating that are less likely to cause spikes in blood sugar. Your ZeroPoint™ foods list won’t have foods like fruit, dairy (e.g., yogurt, cottage cheese), whole grains (e.g., oatmeal, whole wheat pasta, quinoa), and corn because they’re higher in carbs and can raise blood sugar more than foods like non-starchy vegetables and lean proteins. ZeroPoint™ foods are “go-to” choices that members can frequently and consistently lean on, and they add even more flexibility to the program!

Keep in mind that on WW, all foods are on the menu. Even though foods like fruit and yogurt aren’t on your ZeroPoint™ foods list, you can incorporate them into your eating plan. Just use the Points® values and your Budget to guide you.

Some ZeroPoint™ foods on your personalized list may contain carbohydrates, such as beans and lentils. These foods also contain protein and fiber, which can help reduce increases in blood sugar that can occur after eating carbohydrates.

Fruit is part of a healthy pattern of eating as recommended by experts worldwide, including for people living with diabetes. Fruit (including unsweetened frozen or canned fruit) is a nutritious choice as it contains fiber, vitamins, and minerals. However, fruit also has the potential to cause spikes in blood sugar levels due to its naturally-occurring sugar content. That’s why it’s not a ZeroPoint™ food for those living with diabetes.

Keep in mind that on WW, all foods are on the menu. Even though fruit isn’t on your ZeroPoint™ foods list, you can incorporate it into your eating plan. Just use the Points® values and your Budget to guide you.

Even when you’re living with diabetes, no foods are off limits on WW, including fruits or other foods that are sources of carbohydrates. Fruit can be a nutritious choice as it contains fiber, vitamins, and minerals. To incorporate fruit into your plan, simply use your Points® value and your Points® Budget as a guide.

Unsweetened varieties of frozen and canned fruits and vegetables are just as healthy as fresh fruit for people living with diabetes. Plus, they can even last longer. People living with diabetes should be aware that some varieties of canned fruit are made with sweetened syrups. Members should use the Points® value of each food to guide their eating choices. Canned fruit that is lower in Points® will also have less or no added sugar.

Dairy foods like nonfat milk, yogurt and cottage cheese are part of a healthy pattern of eating as recommended by experts internationally. However, they also have the potential to cause blood sugar to rise, due to their sugar content. That’s why it’s not a ZeroPoint™ food for those living with diabetes.

Keep in mind that on WW, all foods are on the menu. Even though foods like dairy and non-dairy alternatives aren’t on your ZeroPoint™ foods list, you can incorporate them into your eating plan. Just use the Points® values and your Budget to guide you.

Starchy vegetables such as potatoes and corn are part of a healthy pattern of eating as recommended by experts worldwide. However, they have the potential to impact blood sugar levels. That’s why it’s not a ZeroPoint™ food for those living with diabetes.

Keep in mind that on WW, all foods are on the menu. Even though potatoes aren’t on your ZeroPoint™ foods list, you can incorporate them into your eating plan. Just use the Points® values and your Budget to guide you.

Beans, peas, and lentils provide a source of plant-based protein and are a recommended part of a healthy eating pattern for people living with diabetes. As a source of protein, fiber and carbohydrate, beans, peas, and lentils are less likely to impact blood sugar when compared to other sources of carbohydrates. That’s why all fresh, canned, cooked, or dry peas, beans, lentils, chickpeas, and lupines are included in this ZeroPoint™ food category.

Whole grains, such as brown rice, brown pasta, quinoa, oatmeal and other grains are part of a healthy pattern of eating as recommended by experts worldwide, including for people living with diabetes. However, they have the potential to impact blood sugar levels. That’s why they’re not a ZeroPoint™ food for those living with diabetes.

Keep in mind that on WW, all foods are on the menu. Even though brown rice, quinoa, and other whole grains aren’t on your ZeroPoint™ foods list, you can incorporate them into your eating plan. Just use the Points® values and your Budget to guide you.

Your WW Coach may or may not have diabetes themselves. Whether or not your Coach has diabetes, they have been trained on how to coach members who are living with diabetes on their weight-loss and wellness journey. Your WW Coach is here to help you develop healthy habits and follow the WW program!

Workshops (Virtual and in-person) may or may not include members living with diabetes. At this time, there is no Workshop solely for members living with diabetes. But all of our Coaches are trained on how to coach members who are living with diabetes on their weight-loss and wellness journey.

As you adjust your food intake and activity and lose weight, you may be at a greater risk for low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) or high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia). As recommended by the American Diabetes Association and the International Diabetes Federation, we suggest checking your blood sugar based on your individual needs and your healthcare provider’s recommendations to determine how these changes impact your numbers. Consult your healthcare provider if you experience consistently low or high blood sugar levels.

If you’re experiencing low blood sugar, it is important to prioritise managing your blood sugar and not worry about your Points® Budget. As recommended by the American Diabetes Association and the International Diabetes Federation, we suggest checking your blood sugar based on your individual needs and your healthcare provider’s recommendation. If you’re experiencing low blood sugar levels, the American Diabetes Association recommends that you eat something that provides 15 grams of carbohydrate, such as 3-4 glucose tablets (2-3 Points®), ½ cup orange juice (2 Points®), or 1 tablespoon of honey (5 Points®). Stick with these portions to avoid over-correcting blood sugar levels. Wait 15 minutes, then check your blood sugar again to see if it’s back in range. If you are experiencing frequent low blood sugar, it is important to consult your healthcare provider.

Always prioritize managing your blood sugar over your PersonalPoints™ Budget, and don’t worry about your Points when you need to get your blood sugar back on track. As recommended by the American Diabetes Association and the International Diabetes Federation, check your blood sugar based on your individual needs and healthcare provider’s recommendations. Stay in regular communication with your healthcare provider about any blood sugar fluctuations, and follow your provider’s guidance on how to best keep your blood sugar stable.

Diabetes is when there is too much sugar (from the food we eat) in the bloodstream.1 Insulin is a hormone that the body uses to control the level of sugar in the blood. Type 1 diabetes, specifically, is when the body can no longer produce insulin.2 It can occur when the body’s own immune system mistakenly destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas or when another health condition damages or requires removal of the pancreas.

Diabetes is when there is too much sugar (from the food we eat) in the bloodstream.1 Insulin is a hormone that the body uses to control the level of sugar in the blood. When people have type 2 diabetes, their bodies are no longer able to use insulin effectively. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes.

Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include: family history, history of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, living with overweight or obesity, and physical inactivity. Social determinants of health such as poor access to healthcare, healthy food, and safe places to engage in physical activity also plays a significant role in why indigenous and other people of color as well as individuals with low income are at greater risk for type 2 diabetes. WW believes that healthy living is a human right and our science-backed behavior change program is designed to help members lose weight, meet their wellness goals, and manage their blood sugar.

Diabetes is diagnosed by a healthcare provider based on blood tests including fasting blood sugar tests (fasting plasma glucose) and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), or A1C test.1

Blood sugar (blood glucose) is found in your bloodstream. It is a source of energy for your body and mostly comes from the food you eat.

According to the American Diabetes Association, the following readings are considered in the healthy blood sugar target ranges for adults, but more or less strict blood sugar goals may be appropriate based on your individual health history:

• An A1C less than 7% (53 mmol/mol)
• Fasting blood sugar reading of 80-130mg/dL (4.4-7.2 mmol/L)
• Fasting blood sugar is taken after not eating anything for the past 8 hours
• A blood sugar reading of less than 180mg/dL (10.0 mmol/L) two hours after eating

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) may be caused by several things, such as what you eat and drink (including alcohol) and the amount of activity you do. The American Diabetes Association suggests that if you are experiencing low blood sugar, have something that provides 15 grams of carbohydrate, such as 3-4 glucose tablets, ½ cup orange juice, or 1 tablespoon of honey to help raise blood sugar quickly. Stick with these portions to avoid over-correcting blood sugar. Wait 15 minutes, and check your blood sugar again to see if it’s in range. If you are experiencing low blood sugar frequently, it is important to consult your healthcare provider.

High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) may be caused by several things, such as what you eat and drink, not being active, and even stress. Check your blood sugar according to instructions from your healthcare provider to understand how food choices as well as activity and your mindset can impact it. Work closely with your healthcare provider to determine the best approach to managing high blood sugar.

Because diabetes is a complex and chronic health condition, medical experts recommend using the term “remission” instead of “cure” to define successful long-term diabetes management. Weight loss and maintenance have both been found to be key for diabetes remission - and that’s where WW comes in. WW is a science-backed behavior change program designed to help members lose weight, meet their wellness goals, and manage their blood sugar. At this time, the exact definition of diabetes remission is still being determined, but some experts are suggesting that remission is having an A1C of less than 6.5% after discontinuing diabetes-related medications or completing diabetes-related procedures (e.g., bariatric surgery) for 3 months or longer.

Search for a food, tap it, and adjust the portion size. Then scroll down to see its Nutritional Information. You will see a line for carbohydrates. This amount will adjust accordingly as you change the portion size.

For restaurant food items, search for the food by name and adjust the portion size. You’ll find Nutritional Information with the amount of carbohydrates for the portion you’ve chosen.

No, the WW app does not yet have the functionality to track total carbohydrate intake. However, you can locate individual carbohydrate counts for each item. To do so, search for a food, tap it, and enter the portion size. Then scroll down to see its Nutritional Information. You will see a line for carbohydrates. This amount will adjust accordingly as you change the portion size.

Outside of entering each of the ingredients individually and then adding them up, this feature is not yet available in the current WW app. We welcome your feedback on specific app features or functionality that would be helpful to you as someone living with diabetes. Please feel free to call customer service or use the 24/7 chat to provide feedback and suggestions.

No, the WW app does not currently have that functionality. We recommend using other apps, tools, or manual methods that have been recommended by your doctor or healthcare provider to monitor and manage your blood sugar.