ONE of the UK’s top diet firms has put Glasgow to the test by sending their official eating officer to the city to check out just how healthy our restaurants are.

Sophie Hardy was selected out of over 500 Weight Watchers followers to become the slimming firm’s first official eating officer in October.

The 25-year-old marketing co-ordinator, from County Durham, was tasked with travelling to cities across the UK to put restaurants to the test to prove dieters can eat out and still stick to their Weight Watchers plan.

Sophie, who has lost around three and a half stone since last January on Weight Watchers, wanted to show dieters that you can have a social life and eat out – but still stick to your diet.

She has visited 10 cities so far including Glasgow where she put Byron Burger on West George Street to the dieters test.

She said: “I really enjoyed my time in Glasgow. My best friend is from Glasgow and I have been to the city a couple of times.

“I did a chain review when I came to Glasgow, I did Byron Burgers.

“But my friend showed me lots of the quirky coffee shops, bars and restaurants. It’s a really friendly city as well. It’s a bit of a home from home for me.

“I think with the stereotypes of Irn Bru and deep fried whatever, it was good to quash those rumours, and show Glasgow is a good place to eat out and enjoy your food in a healthy way.”

Her visit to Byron burger proved to be a success as Sophie was still able to enjoy their food but stick to her Weight Watchers plan.

She said: “When you think of a burger joint, you think they are a bit off limit when you’re on a diet.

“They have a menu where you can have salads, or chicken instead of beef burger.

“They also have a naked burger where they remove the bun and you get salad free.

“It was little things that made them accommodating. It is just a case of checking the menu and seeing what they can do.”

Sophie initially joined Weight Watcher last January after piling on the pounds.

With 10lbs to go to achieve her overall target, she has managed to shift a massive three and a half stone so far.

She said: “I have always been a bit of a yo yo dieter and after last Christmas I had that feeling of my trousers being a bit tighter

“My clothes size had started to creep up to a size 16 and then it started to get to a size 20, and I thought I really don’t want to be in a size 20 in the new year.

“So I just vowed and said the next Weight Watchers class I am going to join up and get rid of this weight.”

And she did that recognising that the journey to losing weight isn’t always an easy one.

She said: “Initially it is hard because you are changing your whole lifestyle. It is not just about cutting out snacks and things like that.

“It is about training yourself and your mind, and trying to educate yourself to eat different ways.

“So that was a shock but I think it is quite liveable especially the more you get used to the plan, it gets easier.

“At the minute it is second nature so I find it quite liveable within my lifestyle.”

Sophie, however, recognises that eating out can be difficult for dieters and her advice is to plan.

She said: “It’s not about worrying too much about going out to eat because it can be initially daunting the thought of it.

“But actually going to do it, it can be quite surprising.”

She added: “Check the menu out online before you go. This allows you to make a choice prior to going out to eat and hopefully you won’t sway.

“It’s all about options. If you do want the cake for dessert just substitute your heavy starter. It’s about balance, it’s not about sacrificing or restricting yourself and not eating any of it.”

Sophie explained that she lives with a 80/20 lifestyle which seems to have worked for her given the weight she has lost.

She said: “80 percent of the time I follow plan, and 20 per cent of the time I do enjoy myself.

“It’s better than being bad 100% of the time.”

Having had success on the Weight Watchers plan, Sophie is keen to show other people who are looking to lose weight in the new year that it is achievable.

She said: “Just go for it. It is initially such a daunting process and it takes a lot of willpower.

“But going through those doors is probably the best thing you will do. The fact is no matter what slimming club you go to, it is all about community and support.”

She added: “I think that is what has made me so successful being with like-minded people who do the same. Obviously eating out is a big part of life and I don’t want to lose my social life in a bid to lose weight.

“I have lost three and a half stone but I have gained a hell of a lot more confidence to go with it.”

You can read Sophie’s official blog on her role here https://www.weightwatchers.com/uk/official-eating-officer

Sophie's guide to eating out

Aside from Byron burgers, here are some other places Sophie has recommended for dieters in Glasgow

Nandos

(Locations across the city)

This is one of the ones most dieters use but my role was to show restaurants that people don’t tend to think of.

I eat in Nandos a lot though and they have lots of healthy options.

Zizzi

(Locations across the city)

They have a really good under 500 calories menu. They have pizzas, half pastas, and full meals with chicken, roast potatoes and vegetables.

It’s all really good stuff but it is smaller portions.

Greggs

(Locations across the city)

They do a balanced choice option. All the sandwiches and pasties with a green sticker on them are all under 400 calories.

They are great if you are eating out on the go.

Marks & Spencer café

(Locations across the city)

They have good range of baked potatoes and salads.