If you’re following Slimming World, you’ve likely come across the term Speed Foods. But what exactly are Speed Foods, and how can they help accelerate your weight loss? Speed Foods are an essential part of the Slimming World plan, and incorporating them into your meals can help you reach your goals more quickly.
In this post, we’ll explain what Speed Foods are, how they work, and the best ways to use them in your daily diet.
What Are Speed Foods?
Speed Foods are a special subset of Free Foods that are particularly low in calories but high in nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and fibre. They are typically fruits and vegetables that are lower in energy density, meaning you can eat a larger volume of them without consuming too many calories. Slimming World encourages members to fill a third of their plate with Speed Foods at each meal, as this helps to reduce the overall calorie content of the meal without sacrificing portion size or satisfaction.
By adding more Speed Foods to your diet, you can stay fuller for longer while naturally reducing your intake of higher-calorie foods. This makes them a powerful tool for boosting your weight loss results.
How Do Speed Foods Work?
The concept behind Speed Foods is simple: when you fill up on these low-calorie fruits and vegetables, you naturally eat fewer of the higher-calorie foods. This approach helps to create a calorie deficit, which is essential for losing weight. Speed Foods are rich in fibre, which helps with digestion and keeps you feeling full, making it easier to manage your appetite.
For example, if you include a generous serving of Speed Foods like spinach, peppers, and tomatoes with your pasta dish, you’ll end up eating less pasta overall, which reduces the calorie content of your meal while still leaving you satisfied.
Speed Food – Vegetables
- Asparagus
- Aubergine (Eggplant)
- Beetroot
- Broccoli
- Brussel Sprouts
- Cabbage (all types)
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Celeriac
- Courgette (Zucchini)
- Cucumber
- Fennel
- Green Beans
- Kale
- Leeks
- Lettuce
- Mangetout
- Mushrooms
- Onions
- Pak Choi
- Peppers (all types)
- Radishes
- Rocket (Arugula)
- Spinach
- Spring Greens
- Spring Onions (Scallions)
- Swede (Rutabaga)
- Tomatoes (all types)
- Turnip
- Watercress
These vegetables are all low in calories, high in nutrients, and can be enjoyed freely as part of the Slimming World plan to help you reach your weight loss goals faster.
Speed Food – Fruit
- Apples
- Apricots
- Blackberries
- Blackcurrants
- Blueberries
- Clementines
- Cranberries (fresh)
- Damsons
- Grapefruit
- Gooseberries
- Guava
- Kiwi
- Lemons
- Limes
- Loganberries
- Lychee
- Melon (all varieties except watermelon)
- Nectarines
- Oranges
- Papaya
- Passionfruit
- Peaches
- Pears
- Pineapple
- Plums
- Pomegranates
- Raspberries
- Redcurrants
- Rhubarb
- Satsumas
- Strawberries
- Tangerines
These fruits are low in calories and high in fibre, making them ideal for adding to your meals to boost weight loss as part of the Slimming World plan.
How to Use Speed Foods for Better Weight Loss Results
To get the most out of Speed Foods, Slimming World suggests filling a third of your plate with them at each meal. Here are some simple tips for incorporating more Speed Foods into your daily routine:
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Fill Your Plate: When serving meals like pasta, rice, or potatoes, make sure to include a third of your plate with Speed Foods. For example, add a big serving of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad alongside your main dish.
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Snack Smart: Instead of reaching for high-calorie snacks, choose Speed Foods like carrot sticks, apple slices, or a handful of berries. These low-calorie options will help keep you on track between meals.
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Bulk Up Recipes: Add extra Speed Foods to your favourite recipes. Throw in extra peppers, mushrooms, or onions into a pasta sauce, or add extra greens to your soups and stews.
Related Article: Recipes including lot’s of speed foods. -
Try New Varieties: Keep things interesting by experimenting with different types of Speed Foods. This will help you maintain variety in your diet and prevent boredom.
Why Are Speed Foods Important?
Speed Foods play a crucial role in the Slimming World plan because they help create a balanced, nutrient-rich diet without the need for calorie counting. Here’s why they’re so important:
- Low-Calorie Density: Speed Foods allow you to eat more volume while consuming fewer calories, making it easier to stay within a calorie deficit.
- High in Fibre: The fibre content in Speed Foods supports digestion, keeping you regular and helping you feel full longer.
- Nutrient-Rich: Packed with essential vitamins and minerals, Speed Foods support overall health while you lose weight.
By focusing on Speed Foods, you can make your weight loss journey more effective and satisfying, all while enjoying delicious, wholesome meals.
What Foods Are Surprisingly Not Speed Foods?
While many fruits and vegetables are classified as Speed Foods, there are some that are Free Foods but not considered Speed Foods. These include starchy vegetables and certain fruits that are higher in natural sugars. Some examples are:
- Bananas
- Sweetcorn
- Peas
- Sweet potatoes
- Avocados
These foods are still Free Foods, so you don’t have to count or measure them, but they won’t have the same weight loss-boosting effect as Speed Foods. Be sure to balance your plate with Speed Foods to maximise your results.
Final Thoughts: Speed Up Your Slimming World Journey with Speed Foods
Speed Foods are an invaluable part of the Slimming World plan, helping you stay full and satisfied while creating a natural calorie deficit. By including a variety of Speed Foods at every meal, you can make the most of the Slimming World plan and reach your weight loss goals faster. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to boost your progress, focusing on Speed Foods can make a big difference in your journey.
Cant See Cherries on this list
Hi Lorraine 🙂 that is because they aren’t a speed food. Thanks x
I’m very grateful for this list – I’m surprised that so many foods are speed and not just free – really going to include them as much as possible this time – Thank you xx
Do you know why pineapples were dropped?
Hiya.. for as long as I have known about speed foods I never knew pineapple ever was? Maybe you could ask your consultant? x
Hi denise.
I believe its because it has a higher carbohydrate and sugar content. I eat a lot of it, I have a massive bowl of fresh in the morning and still lose weight.
Hope this has helped.
Hi where do sweet potatoes go?
Sweet potatoes are syn free but they are not a speed food
Hi, is this list just for fresh fruit and veg or are frozen ok as well?
frozen and tinned veg is included…
frozen fruit included (not tinned)
Grapes aren’t on the list, does that mean that they are syns?
They are syn free but they are just not a Speed food 🙂
Hi, thank you for your list it’s really helpful for an old school slimming world like me! Could I just ask you if I’m doing green plan are baked beans a speed food? Thanks again for your info ☺ so helpful!
Hi there I am glad you are enjoying the site. All of the speed foods are listed here.. if it isn’t here it isn’t a speed food 🙂 Thanks x
Thank you….my downfall is hidden syns….sauces…flour spices etc…unless it has a high fat content im unsure…example would be maggi cook in bag…thanks in advance…x
Hi there
Unless its pasta, rice, fruit, vegetables or lean meat it generally has a Syn value. Maggi cook in bags are high in Syns so I would avoid them. They aren’t needed.. there are so many amazing recipes out there full of flavour and Syn free. Flour is around about 4 syns per 25g. Most herbs and spices are Syn free.
Bananas please? Thankyou.
Hi there
Bananas are not a speed food. They are Classed as free but not speed.
Hi there I have just stumbled across your blog. I have been on SW for two weeks on line, so all quite new to me. This is just fabulous, thank you so much for all your hard work in explaining syns etc. I have started following your blog . Thank you again xx
Hi ive just joined yourself and SW thank you for all the help your giving us i will be on here often thanks xx
Hi there can you tell me if Dates are Syn Free please. Thank you ?
Hi there
no I am afraid they are not syn free
May I ask about parnips? I tend to make homemade soup, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli and parsnips ??
Parsnips are a free food but they are not on the Speed list 🙂
Hi there I’m from Canada and new to slimming world need help in shopping for low syn foods and snacks
Can see there are Clementines and Tangerines on your list. I know you have said if it is not on there then it is not a speed food but my group leader says Satsumas are speed food. Can you clarify – Satsumas have a slightly lower sugar content than tangerines. Cheers
Sorry – Satsumas are on the list. My bad! Sorry again xxx
Hi on my app it says most frozen veg is ‘free’ not speed when the fresh alternative is speed. Does frozen veg not count as speed?
Hi Abi
If a fruit or a vegetable is a speed food it doesn’t matter if it is fresh, frozen or tinned 🙂
I hope that helps
What is the difference between speed and free foods?
Speed foods are fruit and vegetables that are super low in calories but will keep you full. Try to fill half of your plate with them first before adding free or syn food.
Thanks for that. So I could have a steak (free) with lots of veg & salad (speed food). I guess salad and veg are also considered free.
You can have steak with all visible fat removed cooked in frylight (free)
Served with Syn free slimming world chips and lots of vegetables and salad 🙂
Thanks so much for your reply. It’s making sense now. I’ll keep going with the diet xo
hi are avocados free?
Sadly not, they are very high in syns.
This is very good information. I stopped going to the club and put my weight on and more. But this is my 2nd week.
Thank you for the information.
Hi,
Are speed foods still free food and syn free?
Thank you.
yes indeed 🙂
is dried fruit syned? i’ve just bought some thinking they’d be okay but not i’m not sure.
thanks in advance xx
Yes dried fruit hold a lot of Syns sadly 🙁 You would need to check the app
Hi what about pomegranates?
Thank you
Sorry no this is not a speed food. Only the fruits/veg listed are speed. Pomegranate is free but not speed.
Hello, sorry to ask, I can’t quite see the difference betwenb veg and fruits clearly . Going through the list in alphabetical order I can’t see melon? I thought this was a speed food?
Jody.
Hi Jody
Melon is listed in the fruit section 🙂
thanks
Should you reduce the portion size of free protein and carbs you would normally have with speed foods or can you just add the speed to your usual portion size?
A third of your plate should be speed foods…
But yes when i make a chilli now i use half the mince i used i used to and have replaced with more speed foods like pepper, onion, mushroom 🙂
Hi thank you for your help in the speed foods I’m not sure on fruit
Please could you tell me if fruit in tins in there own juices are speed or free many thanks
Hi there
No they are not speed from tins x
Thank you so much for your reply
I love your blog, I’m thinking about trying SW and will probably just do the on-line. You have helped me decide what I want to try, so … thank you very much for having a desire to help the rest of us!
Oh I’m confused now have baked beans been removed from speed foods, just to clarify
Baked beans are free but they are definitely not a speed food 🙂
Thanks for getting back to me, I must have read it wrong before, thanku ill be more careful with them xx
Hi. Are they free? I’ve been putting them in my yogurt the past few weeks thinking they’re speed?. Strangely I’ve gained a couple of pounds since Christmas
Sorry im not sure what you are referring to?
When I was in slimming world few years ago beans were speed. What has changed that there not speed now
Baked beans are high in sugar content, they were removed as a speed food (superfree) a long time ago.
You’re AWESOME … thank you so muich!
Hello ,
Please are you able to to tell me if all fresh speed fruits and veg are also counted as speed if they are frozen?
Or does it all have to be fresh to count as speed ?
Thank you
Frozen is fine too 🙂
Hi do I have to syn speed foods if I blend them for juice
Fruit yes
Vegetables no 🙂
Hi, is Watermelon excluded from the plan?
No watermelon is a speed food 🙂 we have it listed Melon (all types)
thanks
Thanks for the reply. I am thinking of joining ( Again!) lol
Love this website! Thank you!
Hi, where does sauerkraut come in ? Tia
Hiya Alison
It’s listed under vegetables x
Thank you x
Thank you so much for your wonderful posts and sw lists ??
hi just new to slimming world , what is the difference basically between speed foods and free foods , many thanks
Speed foods are not only classed as a free food, but almost all fruits and vegetables will be Super Free Foods too. These will help to boost your weight loss and keep you feeling fill for longer.
Your knowledge has helped me so much, I would like to say thank you, I’ve just started doing this on my own and you have really helped me prepare for it
Your blog is helping me so much. Thank you.
Hi is any corn at all a speed food? Thank you
Sweetcorn is a free food but is not classed as a speed food
Thank you
Is Sauerkraut speed food
Yes it is 🙂
Are sprouts a speed food? Thanks
Yep they can be found on the list 🙂