A NEW device can help people lose weight and stay healthy, say the Worcestershire women who invented it.

The Key Change, launched this month, is a nutritional tool that slots into a trolley in the same way as a token.

Shoppers can check labels on food for fat, saturated fat, carbohydrate and salt so they can make informed lifestyle choices about what they feed themselves and their family.

It is colour coded – red for high, yellow for medium and green for low.

On the flip side are diagrams of teaspoons next to the equivalent weight in grams in sugar and salt so people can visualise more easily how much of each is in the products they buy.

There is also a helpful chart showing the recommended intake of salt for children of different ages and adults.

The idea was devised by nutrition expert Jessica Manion, aged 25, of Welland, near Malvern, and came out of work for her dissertation at the University of Worcester.

It was developed further in partnership with friend and nutritional therapist Monica Price, of Cutnall Green, near Droitwich, through their company, J&M.

They hope the device will be a global success in tackling problems such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, cancer, hypertension and type two diabetes – which can all be linked to diet and lifestyle.

Miss Manion said: “Everyone will benefit from this information. With this, people can make informed food choices themselves.” Visit nutritionby monica.co.uk or e-mail touchwoodtc@aol.com.