You will almost certainly have come across the pitch somewhere: a diet unlike any other, because it is designed for you and you alone. No photocopied list of forbidden foods, no powder to mix up for lunch — instead a questionnaire, a team, and a programme built around your daily rhythm. That was the idea behind Le Diet when it launched, and it still sounds appealing on paper. The catch is that personalised support, however well constructed, does not turn a restrictive diet into neutral territory.

How it works in practice

The principle comes down to one sentence: rather than a ready-made diet, you answer a questionnaire about your habits, your daily rhythm and your measurements. A team then draws up a tailored programme, without medication or meal replacements. Follow-up happens remotely, online: you start from what you already eat, then adjust gradually, without tearing everything up at once.

Depending on your goal, a dietitian, a beauty therapist or a fitness coach supports you throughout. You get access to your personal file, a space to exchange with other members, and regular check-ins by phone or messaging — enough to keep the thread when motivation dips. What we do know is that this kind of personalised support mainly helps people stick with it over the long term. What we do not yet know is how many people keep the weight off after two years. In practice, hold on to this: personalisation is a lever, not a guarantee.

Woman at a laptop showing an online questionnaire in a bright room
A questionnaire, a team, remote follow-up

What the current evidence suggests

France's food safety agency, ANSES, was already warning in a 2010 report that restrictive, low-calorie or unbalanced diets carry a risk of nutrient deficiencies and of regaining the weight. The risk is higher for people with a history of eating disorders. This is not a footnote detail: it is a risk factor to know before you start, and a good reason to look very closely at the supervision on offer — who is really following you, how often, and with what qualification.

Overhead view of a balanced plate with roasted vegetables, lentils and wholegrains on a wooden table
Vegetables, pulses, wholegrains: the foundation that holds up over time

Professional guidance often sets a modest first target, in the region of 5 to 10% of starting body weight over six months. In other words, a figure that changes a little, and stays changed, is worth more than a dramatic result that fades within a year. There is nothing glamorous about that, but it is realistic — and it is exactly the kind of goal a serious programme should be offering you.

On the plate itself, the NHS Eatwell Guide remains a solid foundation: more vegetables and pulses, wholegrain carbohydrates, fewer ultra-processed foods, less sugar and alcohol. Nothing dramatic, but it is what holds up over time. And frankly, that is already a great deal.

In practice, here's what to remember

First, the simplest step: fill in the questionnaire honestly. A rough assessment produces a rough programme. Also check who is actually supporting you — the title of dietitian is protected in the UK (you must be registered with the HCPC to use it), and you can ask for a registration number if any doubt creeps in. That is your strict right, and a serious practitioner will never take offence.

Young woman filling a glass water bottle at the tap of a bright kitchen
A bottle filled from the tap: more water, fewer bottles to throw away

Next, note down what you eat for a week, in an app or a notebook. Your actual portions will surprise almost everyone. On hydration, a stainless-steel or glass bottle filled from the tap does two things at once: you drink more, and you throw away fewer bottles — a simple, measurable habit. On effectiveness, no one is going to promise you magic, but the effect on appetite and on your head is often genuinely there.

Finally, move a little every day. Thirty minutes of walking every day counts for more than one heroic session a month! Your body does not remember your best performance: it remembers your consistency.

Losing weight is not a neutral act. If you have a history of eating disorders, if you are taking medication, if you are pregnant or if you live with a chronic illness, speak to your GP or midwife first. No online programme replaces personalised medical advice.

What it costs

The figures below are broad indications from the UK market rather than verified prices; they vary by city, practitioner experience and appointment length.

A consultation with a private dietitian typically costs around £50 to £90 per session, though this varies widely. It is not covered by the NHS when you go privately, unless it sits within a specific commissioned service; some private health insurance policies cover part of it. An online weight-loss programme runs to roughly £10 to £60 a month depending on the package — the cheaper ones give access to content, the pricier ones to regular one-to-one support. For a personal trainer, budget around £30 to £70 per individual session, less for small-group sessions. NHS dietitian and GP follow-up is free at the point of use, usually by referral.

Where to find them? In private practice, at a health centre, in a gym or online. Before you pay, ask whether the subscription can be paid monthly and whether there is an initial consultation to talk things through.

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