The UK's most complete GLP-1 guide
Every Question Answered. Every Side Effect Explained.
- How GLP-1 medications work
- Mounjaro vs Wegovy compared
- Injection instructions
- Side effects & solutions
- What to eat on treatment
- FAQs answered
Free tracker included with every download this week
Does the Cabbage Diet Work for Weight Loss?
The cabbage diet is a popular fad diet that claims gradual weight management through eating mostly cabbage soup. Whilst cabbage is nutritious and low in calories, the diet itself lacks scientific evidence for sustainable weight management. The NHS recommends a balanced approach combining dietary changes with physical activity. Most fad diets, including the cabbage diet, lead to short-term water loss rather than lasting fat loss. If you're looking for effective weight management in the UK, evidence-based strategies and professional support are far more reliable than restrictive single-food diets.
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Calculate Your BMI Instantly
Enter your height and weight below. Supports both imperial (stone & lbs) and metric (kg). Results include NHS category, healthy weight range, and ethnicity adjustments.
What Is BMI and Why Does It Matter?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is the most widely used screening tool for assessing whether your weight falls within a healthy range. Used by the NHS, GPs, and weight management services across the UK, BMI provides a quick snapshot of your weight relative to your height. The formula is simple: your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres squared (kg/m²).
While BMI isn't a perfect measure — it doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, or fat distribution — it remains the standard first step in identifying potential weight-related health risks including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and certain cancers.
The NHS also recommends adjusted thresholds for people of South Asian, Chinese, or Black African heritage — a BMI of 23 or above is classified as overweight, and 27.5 as obese. Our calculator includes this adjustment as a one-click toggle.
What Is the Cabbage Diet and How Does It Work?
The cabbage diet typically involves eating large amounts of cabbage soup for 7 days, often combined with other specific foods like fruit, vegetables, or meat on designated days. The appeal is simple: cabbage is very low in calories (around 25 calories per 100g) and high in fibre, so theoretically eating it should create a calorie deficit.
However, the diet has significant limitations. Cabbage soup alone doesn't provide adequate protein, healthy fats, or essential nutrients needed for health. Most weight loss on the cabbage diet comes from water loss and reduced calorie intake, not fat loss. Once normal eating resumes, weight typically returns quickly. The NHS emphasises that sustainable weight management UK requires long-term lifestyle changes, not short-term restrictions. Research shows that extreme dietary limitation often leads to nutrient deficiencies, muscle loss, and rebound weight gain—making fad diets counterproductive for lasting results.
Clinically BackedWeight Loss
No appointments. No waiting rooms. Just care — from a UK-regulated online pharmacy.
How It Works
Three simple steps to understand your weight and take action.
Enter your height and weight in our free calculator. Get your BMI, NHS category, healthy weight range, and ethnicity-adjusted thresholds instantly.
If your BMI suggests you're overweight or obese, explore our GLP-1 calculators to project potential weight loss on Mounjaro or Wegovy.
Use our progress tracker to log your weight weekly, visualise your journey with charts, and stay motivated — all stored privately in your browser.
Free Weight Loss Tools & Guides
Everything you need to understand your weight, explore medication options, and track your progress — completely free.
Evidence-Based Alternatives to Fad Diets
The NHS recommends losing weight at a rate of 0.5 to 1 kg per week for sustainable results. This requires a moderate calorie deficit (around 500 calories daily), combined with increased physical activity and behaviour change support. Tools like our free BMI calculator can help you understand your starting point and set realistic goals.
For some people, prescription weight loss support may be appropriate. Options like GLP-1 weight loss injections (such as Mounjaro or Wegovy) have strong clinical evidence showing average weight loss of 15–21% body weight alongside lifestyle changes. Prescription weight loss treatment is available through NHS specialist services or private assessment. Your GP can advise on whether this approach is suitable for you based on your individual health needs and BMI.
Why Sustainable Approaches Work BetterFad diets fail because they're temporary by nature. Once you stop, old eating habits return—and often bring extra weight with them. NHS weight loss guidance focuses on building lasting habits: eating regular balanced meals, reducing ultra-processed foods, staying hydrated, and moving more. Even modest weight loss of 5–10% of your body weight improves blood pressure, blood sugar control, and joint health.
Tracking progress matters too. Use our free progress tracker to log your weight, diet, and activity—this builds awareness and motivation. If you're struggling with weight management, your GP can refer you to specialist tier 3 services offering structured programmes, dietary advice, and sometimes medication. Combined approaches work better than willpower alone, and professional support significantly improves success rates.
- Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Up to 22.5% body weight loss (SURMOUNT-1)
- Weekly injection, dose escalation over 20+ weeks
- Available via private prescription in the UK
- Doses: 2.5mg → 5mg → 7.5mg → 10mg → 12.5mg → 15mg
- GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Up to 15–17% body weight loss (STEP trials)
- Weekly injection, 5-step dose escalation
- NHS & private prescription available
- Doses: 0.25mg → 0.5mg → 1mg → 1.7mg → 2.4mg
Mounjaro vs Wegovy: Head-to-Head
A side-by-side comparison of the two most popular GLP-1 weight loss medications available in the UK.
| Feature | Mounjaro | Wegovy |
|---|---|---|
| Drug class | Dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist | GLP-1 agonist |
| Active ingredient | Tirzepatide | Semaglutide |
| Avg. weight loss | 15–22.5% | 12–17% |
| Key trial | SURMOUNT-1 (2022) | STEP 1 (2021) |
| Max dose | 15 mg weekly | 2.4 mg weekly |
| Escalation period | 20–32 weeks | 16–20 weeks |
| Administration | Weekly injection (pen) | Weekly injection (pen) |
| NHS availability | Private prescription only | NHS & private |
| Approx. private cost | £150–£250/month | £150–£300/month |
| Common side effects | Nausea, diarrhoea, constipation | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea |
Data sourced from SURMOUNT-1 and STEP 1 clinical trials. Costs are approximate and vary by provider. Always consult a prescriber.
Am I Eligible for Weight Loss Medication?
In the UK, eligibility for GLP-1 weight loss medications like Mounjaro and Wegovy is based on your BMI and overall health profile.
- BMI of 30 or above (obese)
- Age 18 or over
- No contraindicated conditions
- Committed to lifestyle changes
- BMI of 27 or above
- Plus type 2 diabetes
- Or high blood pressure
- Or obstructive sleep apnoea
Use our BMI calculator to check whether your BMI falls within the eligible range.
How We Built These Tools
Every calculator and guide on myweightcheck is built with accuracy and transparency in mind. Our BMI calculator uses the standard WHO formula with NHS-aligned category thresholds. Our GLP-1 projections are modelled on published clinical trial data from SURMOUNT and STEP studies.
All data stays on your device. We don't require sign-ups, and we don't store your health information on any server. Your progress tracker saves data locally in your browser using localStorage, so only you can see it.
We're based in the UK and our tools are designed specifically for UK users — supporting stone & lbs by default, referencing NHS guidelines, using NICE-approved medication data, and linking to GPhC-registered pharmacies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about BMI, weight loss medications, and our free UK tools.
Is the cabbage diet scientifically proven to work?
No. Whilst cabbage is nutritious and low-calorie, the cabbage diet lacks robust clinical evidence for lasting weight loss. Most weight lost is water, not fat. Once normal eating resumes, weight typically returns. The NHS recommends balanced, sustainable approaches over restrictive fad diets.
How much weight can you lose on the cabbage diet?
People may lose 3–5 kg in a week, but this is primarily water loss and muscle, not fat loss. The diet is too restrictive and low in protein to support healthy weight loss. Sustainable approaches aim for 0.5–1 kg per week, which is safer and maintains muscle mass.
What's the difference between the cabbage diet and NHS weight loss guidance?
The cabbage diet is a short-term restriction. NHS guidance emphasises sustainable lifestyle changes: balanced meals, calorie awareness, physical activity, and behaviour support. This approach leads to lasting results and better health outcomes than fad diets.
Can I use GLP-1 weight loss medication instead of dieting?
GLP-1 medications like Wegovy (semaglutide) are prescription-only and work alongside lifestyle changes, not instead of them. Clinical trials show they help with appetite control, making it easier to stick to a balanced diet. Your GP or a prescriber can assess whether you're eligible.
Where can I get proper weight loss support in the UK?
Start with your GP, who can provide initial advice and refer you to tier 3 specialist weight management services. Alternatively, private online prescribers offer GLP-1 assessment following clinical consultation. Our free BMI calculator helps you understand your starting point for any weight loss plan.
Ready to take control of your weight loss journey?
Start with a free BMI check, explore your GLP-1 options, or begin tracking your progress today. No sign-up. No cost. Just results.