This Science-Backed Soup and Shake Diet Could Help With Weight Loss and Stave Off Diabetes, Experts Say

A new soup-and-shake diet could help you lose weight and reverse diabetes, according to doctors. The year-long program was started as a public health initiative in the UK by its National Health Service (NHS) and is based off a study in the Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology journal. The diet program has resulted in hundreds of patients losing weight, with some able to put their diabetes in remission. Medical experts believe participating in the program could lead to significant health benefits. 

What is the soup and shake diet?

As the name suggests, the soup and shake diet is a liquid diet in which you eat soups, shakes and meal replacement bars for three months. At 900 calories a day, it provides a low-calorie diet plan for those dealing with type 2 diabetes, obesity or who are overweight. 

After that, participants gradually incorporate solid foods back into their diets over the next few months. The goal of the year-long program was to help the aforementioned individuals start their weight loss journey. The soups and shakes act as a meal replacement to help you get started.

While no details were shared about the different flavors of shakes or soups, one participant recalled the “Thai red soup” and “shepherd’s pie” as her favorites. The soup and shake diet is part of a larger initiative by the UK health service to help keep patients’ diabetes in remission.

The benefits of the soup and shake diet

Data on 7,540 people who joined the program between September 2020 and the end of 2022 was reviewed in the study. Of those participants, 945 completed the whole year and provided their blood samples. From those that successfully complete the program, 32% of patients found life-changing success. 

Not only did these patients lose a lot of weight (almost 35 pounds on average!), but they also put their diabetes into remission. Researchers measured participants' average glucose (blood sugar) levels, and found their results had noticeably improved by the end of the program. And some patients lost even more weight — up to 38 pounds. 

"Obesity is one of the biggest threats to health in the UK and will be one of the biggest and most costly challenges for health systems globally, so seeing such encouraging outcomes from our program shows that obesity can be tackled head-on,” Dr. Clare Hambling, NHS national clinical director for diabetes and obesity told BBC.

Ultimately, experts believe the soup-and-shake diet could benefit thousands more people with type 2 diabetes and alleviate other health concerns that are associated with being obese or overweight.

What we can learn from the UK soup and shake diet

While the program is expanding across different parts of England, it hasn’t quite made its way to the US yet. However, talking to your doctor and figuring out a diet or lifestyle plan that works for you and your individual health needs is an important first step. And that may include working more produce-rich soups and shakes into your diet in place of less-than-healthy fair.

Ultimately, whether or not a soup-and-shake diet works for you depends on many factors. Talking to your doctor can help you understand the relationship between your health and the food you eat. Plus he or she can help you learn about how different foods impact your body, and how these practices can be beneficial for your long-term health.

For more ways to lose weight:

The Nordic Diet: Weight Loss and Health Benefits, Sustainability and Meal Tips

Elimination Diets May Look Different For Everyone

How To Lose Weight Without Counting Calories: Expert Tips for Women Over 50

This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.