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
Drinks To Aid Weight Loss
Certain drinks can support your weight loss efforts when combined with a balanced diet and increased physical activity. Water remains the gold standard, but research shows other beverages like green tea, black coffee, and herbal infusions may offer modest metabolic benefits. For sustainable weight management in the UK, most drinks should be low in calories and sugar. Understanding which drinks genuinely support weight loss — and which marketing claims are overblown — helps you make informed choices alongside other lifestyle changes or prescription weight loss approaches.
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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.
Evidence-Based Drinks For Weight Loss
Water is the most effective drink for weight management. It contains zero calories, supports hydration, and may temporarily boost metabolism by 3–10%. Drinking water before meals can also help you feel fuller, potentially reducing calorie intake. The NHS recommends around 6–8 glasses daily for most adults.
Green tea contains catechin compounds that may support fat oxidation and metabolic rate. Clinical studies show modest benefits — typically 2–3kg additional weight loss over several weeks when combined with calorie restriction and exercise.
Black coffee (without added sugar or cream) contains caffeine, which may increase energy expenditure and suppress appetite slightly. Limit to 3–4 cups daily. Adding milk or syrups significantly increases calories.
Herbal teas like ginger, peppermint, and chamomile contain minimal calories and may support digestion. They're hydrating alternatives to sugary drinks. Avoid adding honey or sugar to maintain low calorie content.
For personalised advice on weight management in the UK, use our free BMI calculator to understand your current health status and discuss beverage choices with your GP.
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.
Drinks To Avoid For Weight Loss
Sugary soft drinks contain 35–50g sugar per 330ml can — equivalent to 9–12 teaspoons. This contributes significantly to daily calorie intake without providing satiety. Even "diet" versions with artificial sweeteners don't trigger the same fullness response as whole foods.
Fruit juices and smoothies are high in natural sugars and calories despite their health perception. A 250ml glass of orange juice contains approximately 110 calories and 26g sugar.
Alcoholic drinks are calorie-dense (7 calories per gram) and often trigger poor eating choices. Beer and sweet wines are particularly high in calories.
High-sugar flavoured waters and sports drinks marketed as "healthy" often contain 20–30g sugar. Plain water is always the better choice for weight loss and overall health. Try our weight loss calculator to project potential results with structured approaches to weight management.
- 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.
Can drinks alone cause weight loss?
No. Weight loss requires a calorie deficit, typically achieved through reduced food intake and increased physical activity. Drinks can support this process — particularly by replacing high-calorie beverages with water or tea — but cannot cause weight loss independently. For evidence-based approaches, prescription weight loss medication is only used alongside lifestyle changes, not as a standalone treatment.
Is green tea proven to aid weight loss?
Green tea contains catechins that may support modest fat loss. Clinical trials show approximately 2–3kg additional weight loss over weeks when combined with calorie restriction and exercise. The effect is real but modest — not a replacement for dietary changes. Consistency matters more than occasional consumption.
How much water should I drink for weight loss?
The NHS recommends 6–8 glasses daily for general health. For weight loss, ensuring adequate hydration (typically 2–3 litres daily depending on activity level) supports metabolism and can help distinguish genuine hunger from thirst. Drinking water before meals may also reduce calorie intake slightly by promoting fullness.
Are artificial sweeteners in diet drinks helpful for weight loss?
Diet drinks contain zero calories, so they don't directly contribute to weight gain. However, research suggests artificial sweeteners don't trigger the same satiety response as sugar, and some people report increased appetite after consuming them. Plain water remains the optimal choice for weight management.
What's the best drink choice if I'm on prescription weight loss medication?
If you're prescribed Mounjaro, Wegovy, or other GLP-1 medications for weight management, water is ideal. Carbonated drinks may cause bloating with these medications. Avoid sugary and high-calorie beverages. Check with your prescriber about alcohol consumption, as it may increase side effects. Use our GLP-1 weight loss calculator to understand potential outcomes with structured medication and lifestyle support.
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.