‘My diabetes went into remission and I lost 5 stone with NHS soup and shake diet’

Peter was not in the best of health when he was given a last chance to join the game-changing NHS 'soups and shakes' programme

Peter Jackson clearly remembers the day his GP called as it was the first time any doctor had rung him – and the news was not good.

“I distinctly remember it was 9 April, 2021,” the 68-year-old from Saintfield, County Down, said. “She told me that I was standing on the precipice of type 2 diabetes and they had spoken to me about this twice before; this was basically the last call on the matter.

“That conversation really hit home with me. While I was on the call, the GP also told me that Dundonald Hospital in Belfast were running a pilot scheme for diabetes remission, and would I consider participating in the programme, which could help remove the risk of type 2 diabetes. I didn’t give it a second thought – I wanted to take part.”

At the time, Peter was 19 and a half stone, and knew that he was not leading the healthiest of lifestyles. He had worked in sales for a tobacco company for over 43 years and although retired in 2018, his habits were “eating on the hoof” due to meetings and overnight stays across Northern Ireland.

The GP explained the daily 800-calorie “soups and shakes” diet programme and that, aged 65, Peter was at the age limit to be accepted for a place. The next step was to have an interview with the doctor running the programme at the hospital, as well as a dietitian.

“I was also required to meet with a psychologist, which was important. We had a relaxed chat, just to see if I had the right character and commitment to see the course through. It was expensive for the NHS to support me on the programme, so they needed to know that I was serious.”

Peter Jackson lost 5 stone after signing up for the NHS ‘soups and shakes’ programme and sent his diabetes into remission

Peter describes finding out about his diabetes as “a wake-up call” and as a result he lost a stone in weight through his own volition, by cutting out all his favourite snack foods and fizzy drinks – even beer.

“It was the first time in 15 years that I dropped below 19 stone, which was a huge motivation and a real incentive for me. I began the remission programme in August 2021 at a starting weight of 18 stone 6. My diet consisted of soups and shakes adding up to 800 calories a day for three months. There were 10 of us on the programme, and it was the fourth pilot scheme of its type.

“By the beginning of November, I weighed 14 and a half stone, having lost a total amount of five stone. My routine was a shake in the morning, a soup at lunch time, a shake in the afternoon and then a soup at teatime. I also had to drink two and a half litres of water throughout the day. It was quite strict, and I found drinking all that water the hardest thing to do, having not been much of a water drinker.”

From November, the patients on the programme were gradually weaned back onto real food again by reducing the soups and shakes and building in food – only then were they able to do some exercise.

“This is when I noticed I wasn’t getting the same stiff joints, which was a big bonus, and I wasn’t out of breath walking up the hill to my house. I seemed to benefit in so many ways and this was a real feel-good factor. After three months, I had a check-up and blood test and my HbA1c [hemoglobin] had come right down.

“I was fortunate that during the programme we were supplied with NHS scales, a blood pressure monitor, and a kit for checking your blood glucose levels at home, which was really handy to keep across your progress. The other big win for me was my blood pressure tablets were reduced, which I’ve maintained.”

Given how well he felt both physically and mentally after losing all the weight and sending his diabetes into remission, Peter’s only regret was not addressing his weight many years ago.

“We had moved from England back to Northern Ireland and my excuse was bringing up the kids and not having the best lifestyle in terms of work.

“When I lost that initial stone that was a huge lightbulb moment, as well as the feeling of not being breathless when walking. The target I wanted to achieve after three months on the programme was 15 per cent weight loss. Both myself and a couple of other people had reached our 15 per cent weight loss with about three weeks to go, but were encouraged to keep going until the end of the 12 weeks.

“I think being part of the programme and in a team environment was really motivating. There were so many different characters, which worked really well for me.”

Peter ended up well under his target weight of 15 stone 3, coming down to 14 stone 5, so much that locals in his village thought he was seriously ill. “I would have to tell people not to worry and that I was on a managed NHS programme and feeling great.”

He also got great support and encouragement from his wife, three children, their partners and all the grandchildren.

“Once a week I would text them all and share my progress, and they were each so supportive and equally inspired, too. When the grandchildren visited, they would say, ‘Papa you’re looking great, keep it going,’ so that was wonderful to hear and another incentive.”

Research published this week found almost one in three people on the groundbreaking NHS scheme permanently wiped out their diabetes. Currently, 10,000 people a year in England can access the scheme but “brilliant” results showing “life-changing benefits” among participants have prompted NHS leaders to consider expanding the programme across the UK.

Throughout the programme, Diabetes UK facilitated regular online Zoom meetings which proved motivational

Almost a third put their type 2 diabetes in remission, according to a paper published in the Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology journal.

Peter also credits the professional support from Diabetes UK which he described as “invaluable” in helping him keep focused and his remission on track. Throughout the programme, Diabetes UK facilitated regular online Zoom meetings which proved motivational.

“I thrive on having that ongoing contact when someone is really interested in me and my well-being. I have continued to receive support from Diabetes UK on a once-a-month basis at my local community centre, with the local team organising for podiatrists, ophthalmologists, and various clinicians to pop along and see us at the centre.

“Just being able to chat, and share our experiences and any concerns, as well as find out about other aspects of diabetes, is so beneficial and serves as a place for constant learning, so having that support is great.”

Peter remains in remission and currently weighs just over 17 stone, but his personal target is 16 stone 7, which he feels will be his optimum weight.

“That’s a goal for me to aim for but it’s ongoing and I just need to keep chipping away at it. The positive is that I’m still a couple of stone lighter than I was previously. It’s also about changing habits. I was never a person that would go out walking but now with having the dogs, I do a lot of walking – they’re a great incentive to be out and about.

“I feel really proud about making these changes. I also feel very privileged to have been given that lifeline, and just from how people respond to meeting me in the street, they could see the effort and change that I’ve made and say how good I look for it… the benefits at the end are so great and worth all the challenges.

“For me it has not been about just escaping type 2 diabetes; remission comes with so many other benefits, like coming off your diabetes medication and not feeling joint and back pain. Just having a healthier outlook on life and your well-being.

“My advice is to go in all guns blazing and then slowly but surely chip away at it making a real effort along the way. Instead of going for coffee and scones, I now just have a coffee. Find out what motivates you. Someone like me needed to be pushed, even my family saying I should try and lose some weight didn’t have the impact. For me, it took my GP taking the trouble to phone and say, ‘get yourself sorted’ that did it.”

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