Slim Fast is one of the most popular meal-replacement weight loss plans on the market. A ready-to-drink shake, a Slim Fast snack bar, and a healthy balanced dinner make for one very convenient weight loss plan. Throw in a little exercise, and the pounds begin to peel off, as the Slim Fast ads tout. Literally millions of people are on the Slim Fast diet at any given time, and clinical trials-many of which were funded by Slim Fast-suggest that Slim Fast really does offer permanent weight loss.
Slim Fast sounds easy, and the following and promises are impressive. Is the diet however, all it’s cracked up to be? Here’s our take on the Slim Fast diet
Slim Fast Diet
CATEGORYSCORECOMMENTS
COST:* * *Shakes and bars are inexpensive,
especially since they take the place
of regular meals and their grocery
bills.
GETTING STARTED: * * * You can get on Slim Fast’s website
and sign up, or pick up a 6-pack of
shakes on the way home and get
started the next day.
STICKING WITH IT: * *Shake, bar, shake, bar, dinner, day
after day can easily become mind-
(and taste-bud) numbing, especially
with so few flavor options.
Additionally, sipping rarely satisfies
like chewing does.
BUSY LIFESTYLE: * * * *Shakes can be slurped on the way to
work, and the aptly named Meal-On
The-Go bars can be stashed in
drawers or bags.
FAMILY FRIENDLY: * * * *Slim Fast won’t effect other family
members, and family dinner doesn’t
have to be everyone enjoying
delicious foods while you sip a
“delicious” shake.
POTENTIAL: * *Initially, the potential for participants
to lose weight is pretty good, but
keeping the weight off isn’t likely.
HEALTH and SAFETY: * *Fortified sugar shakes and candy
bars plus one measly “balanced”
meal a day doesn’t exactly equal
good nutrition or adequate calories.
The major attribute that makes Slim Fast so appealing is its convenience. Just drink a shake for breakfast, eat a bar for lunch, then prepare a balanced dinner. Shakes and bars can simply be tossed in a bag or kept in the car for instant meals. With a little exercise the weight does indeed begin to come off.This is because Slim Fast is a meal-replacement plan that limits calorie intake. The replacements however, are little more than milk based sugar drinks with some vitamin fortification tossed in to make them appear healthy. Palatability is questionable, as Slim Fast shakes aren’t exactly the type you’d find at a visit to the local ice cream parlor, although many come to love them. Also, a meal that must be drunk doesn’t provide the satisfaction a chewable meal does.
The Slim Fast bars are nothing exceptional in the health department either. Many Slim Fast dieters love to proclaim “they’re only 200 calories”, or “They’re only 140 calories”. They are indeed, but the majority of those calories come from vitamin fortified sugar.
Many health professionals are weary about the Slim Fast shakes and bars. They do provide some nutrition, but so do vitamin supplements. Health professionals don’t like to see the majority of calories coming from sugary foods instead of healthy, natural meals.
There are two important steps a participant of the Slim Fast diet must do to make sure their diet remains safe and healthy.
First, they must make sure the one meal a day that is not being replaced by a shake or bar is extremely balanced and nutritious. It must contain sufficient amounts of whole wheat, grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy, and healthy fats. Preparing a meal like that takes plenty of thought and effort. That lack of convenience however makes for many nutritionally bleak meals. After all, convenience is why participants chose the Slim Fast plan in the first place.
Secondly, participants must make sure their caloric intake does not dip too low, a problem that the majority of diets have. In order to lose weight, every diet must instigate some calories restrictions, but daily calories that fall too low are dangerous for bodily health and functioning. Additionally, weight loss that comes from restricted calorie diets that don’t strongly encourage exercise and the consumption of calories to support it, is largely due to a loss in muscle mass-something you absolutely don’t want to lose.
As for Slim Fast’s ability to keep lost weight at bay, that isn’t likely. Once the added weight is lost, and participants go skipping off on their own merry way and eating habits, the weight is going to come back; unless of course, the rest of their life consists of “shake, bar, shake, bar, dinner” eating.
Bottom Line:
Anyone who likes the Slim Fast plan may just consider taking a complete vitamin supplement with a glass of 1% milk-it will provide more vitamins, nutrients, and just as much satiety as the Slim Fast diet, and doesn’t send blood glucose levels spiking. For a little taste, stir in some malted milk powder or chocolate syrup.
If however, you are determined that the Slim Fast diet is right for you, make sure your one “real” daily meal is nutritionally sound and balanced, that you participate in regular exercise that is supported by a healthy intake of calories.