Diet programme didn't work? Here are your options in 2026

You're not alone

You tried Weight Watchers. Or Noom. Or intermittent fasting. Or one of the dozens of other diet programmes that promise this time you'll actually lose weight.

And it didn't work. Or it worked for a while, and then everything came back.

You're not alone. Research shows that 95% of people who lose weight through dieting regain it within 2-5 years. That's not down to you — that's down to the approach.

Why dieting alone often doesn't work

Diet programmes focus on behavioural change: eat less, move more, count points. And that works — for a while. But your body adapts. Your metabolism slows. Your hunger increases. And eventually, you can't win the battle against your own biology.

That's not a willpower problem. That's physiology.

What's the alternative?

There is a growing scientific consensus that for people with a BMI of 30+ (or 27+ with health problems), medical support is more effective than dieting alone.

But medical support is expensive. Branded products cost roughly €150-500 per month, depending on product and dose, and are mostly not reimbursed by your health insurance in 2026.

Compounding: the affordable alternative

There is an option many people don't know about: compounding via a licensed compounding pharmacy.

What's the difference?

	Diet programme	Branded products	Compounding
Approach	Behavioural change	Medication (standard)	Medication (personalised)
Cost	€10-25/month	€150-500/month	Set independently with your pharmacy
Personalised	Partly	No	Yes
Doctor-supervised	No	Yes (referral)	Yes (arranged independently)
Reimbursed	Sometimes partly	Mostly not (2026)	Not applicable

Sources — diet programme: weightwatchers.com/nl (Standard €25/month; €10/month as a 60%-off promotion on a 12-month commitment; read 6 Sep 2026). Branded medication: overstappen.nl, zorgwijzer.nl, Zorginstituut Nederland (see our article on medication that is not reimbursed). *Updated 2026-09-06: "€30-60/month" for a diet programme was above WeightWatchers' Dutch price, the programme this article names.*

Active ingredients	N/A	Pharmaceutical	Pharmaceutical (identical)

What this actually involves

Compounding requires an independent assessment by a BIG-registered doctor, a prescription, and preparation by a licensed compounding pharmacy — all arranged directly by you, not through Magistra. No product, questionnaire or delivery is provided by Magistra.

No counting points. No group sessions. No referral from your GP needed for the compounding pharmacy route.

Who is this suitable for?

Compounding is suitable if you:

Have a BMI of 30+ (or 27+ with health problems)

Have tried previous diet programmes without lasting results

Are open to medical support for weight management

Find branded products too expensive

Are 18+ and live in the Netherlands

The difference from Weight Watchers or Noom

Weight Watchers and Noom are behavioural programmes. They teach you to eat differently. That's valuable, but for many people it's not enough.

Compounding is medical support — your body gets help from the inside. Combined with healthy eating and exercise, this is more effective for many people than dieting alone.

Pricing is set independently between you, your doctor and the compounding pharmacy — ask for a quote before committing.

Start now

No long contracts. No automatic renewals (looking at you, WW). No hidden costs.

Magistra doesn't run that assessment — you arrange it yourself with an independent doctor and compounding pharmacy. What Magistra offers today is the free predictor.

Try the free predictor: magistra.health/en/predictor

Magistra is a technology platform. All medical services are provided by independent, registered healthcare professionals and pharmacies. Results may vary.