Thread: Newbie being a bit thick

Am brand new to Slimming World (20st, long way to go...) and might just be being a thick and misunderstanding...so I hope one of you experienced SW experts out there can help.

Have bought Sainsburys extra lean steak mince. it doesn't say less than x % fat on the label but based on SW foods listing I made sure I bought extra lean which should be <6%.

When I have keyed into the Syns calculator to make sure its coming out at 6.5 syns. Surely that can't be right, that would suggest 20% fat ??

It says 123 cals, 20.5 protein, fat 4.5g, carbs trace.

Please tell me I am doing something wrong

Any help you can give would be much appreciated.

Originally Posted by wmw1973

Am brand new to Slimming World (20st, long way to go...) and might just be being a thick and misunderstanding...so I hope one of you experienced SW experts out there can help.

Have bought Sainsburys extra lean steak mince. it doesn't say less than x % fat on the label but based on SW foods listing I made sure I bought extra lean which should be <6%.

When I have keyed into the Syns calculator to make sure its coming out at 6.5 syns. Surely that can't be right, that would suggest 20% fat ??

It says 123 cals, 20.5 protein, fat 4.5g, carbs trace.

Please tell me I am doing something wrong

Any help you can give would be much appreciated.

Extra Lean Mince by any supermarket is free No need to try and Syn it. Hope that helps x

have you put the meat in as a free food first?

Thanks for the quick replies...

No I hadn't put it in as a free food first, did I need to do that ?

A free food ? Brilliant !! That seemed too good to be true...as does much of SW. I need to trust in the SW theory more I think. I have thrown in the towel repeatedly on WW though so maybe I am "battle scarred "

Originally Posted by Hayley 22

Extra Lean Mince by any supermarket is free No need to try and Syn it. Hope that helps x

Not true hun. Mince which is less than 5% fat is free. Some supermarkets are sneaky & their ex lean mince is 7%.

However, sainsburys extra lean mince is leas than 5% & therefore free.

Originally Posted by wmw1973

It says 123 cals, 20.5 protein, fat 4.5g, carbs trace.

4.5g of fat per 100g means it is 4.5% fat

Doh ! PatchworkPuss...of course it is.

Am so obsessed with not making any mistakes with Syns I just missed the blinking obvious.

<hanging my head in shame> :-)

Originally Posted by kingleds

Not true hun. Mince which is less than 5% fat is free. Some supermarkets are sneaky & their ex lean mince is 7%.

However, sainsburys extra lean mince is leas than 5% & therefore free.

My group leader never said that Im still losing so im not going to worry too much LOL.

Originally Posted by kingleds

Not true hun. Mince which is less than 5% fat is free. Some supermarkets are sneaky & their ex lean mince is 7%.

However, sainsburys extra lean mince is leas than 5% & therefore free.

What?!? My c told us that ANY extra lean is free.

Checked online & most places are free....

Sainsbury's, Extra Lean Beef Mince, frozen, 100g Free
Basic, Beef mince, extra lean, less than 5% fat, raw/cooked without fat, 100g Free
Asda, Extra Lean Beef Mince, Less Than 5% Fat, chilled, 100g Free
Sainsbury's, Extra Lean Turkey Breast Mince, 500g pack, chilled, 100g Free
Morrisons, Extra Lean Minced Beef, Less Than 5% Fat, 500g pack, chilled, 100g Free
Co-op, Healthy Living Scotch Extra Lean Beef Mince, chilled, 100g Free
Sainsbury's, Irish Beef Extra Lean Steak Mince, 500g pack, chilled, 100g Free
Tesco, Healthy Living Extra Lean Steak Mince, chilled, 100g Free

Originally Posted by Slimbysummer

What?!? My c told us that ANY extra lean is free.

It is, but SW's definition of 'extra lean' is less than 5% fat.
There are some minces that are less than 5% fat but are not labelled 'extra lean' - they are still free.
If it is above 5% fat it only counts as lean.

Originally Posted by Slimbysummer

What?!? My c told us that ANY extra lean is free.

Checked online & most places are free....

Sainsbury's, Extra Lean Beef Mince, frozen, 100g Free
Basic, Beef mince, extra lean, less than 5% fat, raw/cooked without fat, 100g Free
Asda, Extra Lean Beef Mince, Less Than 5% Fat, chilled, 100g Free
Sainsbury's, Extra Lean Turkey Breast Mince, 500g pack, chilled, 100g Free
Morrisons, Extra Lean Minced Beef, Less Than 5% Fat, 500g pack, chilled, 100g Free
Co-op, Healthy Living Scotch Extra Lean Beef Mince, chilled, 100g Free
Sainsbury's, Irish Beef Extra Lean Steak Mince, 500g pack, chilled, 100g Free
Tesco, Healthy Living Extra Lean Steak Mince, chilled, 100g Free

Yup, These are all free because they are less than 5% fat

Beef mince, extra lean, less than 5% fat, raw/cooked without fat, 100g Free

compared to:
Beef mince, less than 12% fat, 100g raw 2½
Beef mince, less than 20% fat, 100g raw 6½
Beef mince, more than 20% fat, 100g raw 9


Other meat:
Lamb mince, less than 16% fat , 100g raw 2
Lamb mince, more than 16% fat , 100g raw 5

Turkey mince, more than 5% fat, 100g raw 2
Turkey mince, extra lean breast meat, 100g raw Free

Pork mince, less than 6% fat, 100g raw ½
Pork mince, more than 6%, 100g raw 5

Thanks ermintrude & kingleds for keeping us on the straight & narrow - will keep eye on it when next shopping x

I never syn mince I just cook it and drain it. I've not had a problem so far, so I'm sticking to my way coz it's much better

Originally Posted by JezVonSavage

I never syn mince I just cook it and drain it. I've not had a problem so far, so I'm sticking to my way coz it's much better

Hi Jez,

Do you mean you buy normal mince and then do the above, or do you still use extra lean mince? I'm asking because sometimes I can't find the extra lean mince. Thanks.