What do you think of Slim Fast?

ojell
ojell Posts: 748 Member
edited November 12 in Food and Nutrition
Good or Bad?

Why or Why not?




A friend of mine is drinking the low-carb one. I wonder if I should give it a whirl or not?
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Replies

  • secretlobster
    secretlobster Posts: 3,566 Member
    Slim Fast is a convenient way of Just Eating Fewer Calories(tm)
  • antihillmoby
    antihillmoby Posts: 131 Member
    Good or Bad?

    Why or Why not?




    A friend of mine is drinking the low-carb one. I wonder if I should give it a whirl or not?
    [/quote

    The sugar content is high, better off having a protein shake with soya milk, much less sugar.
  • ojell
    ojell Posts: 748 Member
    Good or Bad?

    Why or Why not?




    A friend of mine is drinking the low-carb one. I wonder if I should give it a whirl or not?
    [/quote

    The sugar content is high, better off having a protein shake with soya milk, much less sugar.

    The low carb bottles say 1 sugar
  • Chagama
    Chagama Posts: 543 Member
    I make one shake part of my breakfast during the work week. I find it's an easy thing to grab on the way to work, and after working out in the morning it's a good way to get some fluids back and some protein to recover. But the idea of the Slim Fast plan of just having one shake for breakfast and one for lunch? Not enough calories. It's just not enough food.
  • monkeypantz
    monkeypantz Posts: 288 Member
    I'd much rather eat some actual food with the same calorie content than have a shake with the content. As my mouth and brain is more satisfied.

    But if you want to go cold turkey to cut back your calories it could work - not the most balance diet though.
  • melsinct
    melsinct Posts: 3,512 Member
    Slim Fast is a convenient way of Just Eating Fewer Calories(tm)

    Exactly. It creates a calorie deficit for you. So does MFP, except you get to eat real food and learn how to eat properly. Unless you plan on chugging Slim Fast for life, you have to learn how to eat sometime. Not to mention, Slim Fast is loaded with sugar and really isn't healthy at all. If one was hellbent on drinking their food, there are much better protein shake options available out there.
  • iluxoxo211
    iluxoxo211 Posts: 241 Member
    Hello, I did slim fast for a while but then I found a better shake for me.. its called atkins advantage shake and its much lower in sugars and carbs..plus I love the taste! but I know many people who drink slim fast shakes..its a personal choice and it depends on your health as well because I am a diabetic and the less sugar I have the better.
  • Pros:
    - Quick convenient way of consuming calorie-controlled meals
    - Added vitamins/minerals

    Cons:
    - Not "real" food, so not a way of re-educating eating habits
    - High in sugar
    - Processed
    - Not high enough in protein

    I have used Slim Fast to lose weight - it's the only successful method I've found for me personally. However, I have reduced to one meal per day and plan to phase out completely soon - due to cons above.
  • moodymarble
    moodymarble Posts: 182 Member
    Not much. I like food to much. Besides that, when you're tired of the shakes you tend to put back on the weight you lost, and a few new friends!
  • antihillmoby
    antihillmoby Posts: 131 Member
    Hello, I did slim fast for a while but then I found a better shake for me.. its called atkins advantage shake and its much lower in sugars and carbs..plus I love the taste! but I know many people who drink slim fast shakes..its a personal choice and it depends on your health as well because I am a diabetic and the less sugar I have the better.

    I have tried Atkins Advantage chocolate with soya milk - its great tasting and really filling!!! AND LOW IN SUGAR!
  • sertcelik
    sertcelik Posts: 22
    If you dont have time to make breakfast, believe me it's better than eating fast food, but keep in mind it's a can full of chemicals.
  • angiemartin78
    angiemartin78 Posts: 475 Member
    According to a nutritionist that I have seen, Slim Fast shakes really are not nutritious. She is the one that actually turned me on to MFP and suggested that I stop trying to use Slim Fast and eat real food instead. According to her, you have to learn to eat differently, not just drink shakes. :flowerforyou:
  • ImJDLookatME
    ImJDLookatME Posts: 288 Member
    I usually do a Slim fast shake/bar in the morning as part of my breakfast. I don't usually have time for breakfast but really I just do any protein shake/bar in the morning, I don't discriminate against other brands :)
  • ojell
    ojell Posts: 748 Member
    Makes sense. :)

    I've never done protein shakes or anything cause I don't like the flavor, but I tasted her slim fast yesterday and it actually tasted good. Like I said, it's the low carb one so there's only one sugar in it 4 carbs and 20 proteins. I thought it might be a good addition to help me get some more protein in my diet. I need to build my muscles back up. I think I've lost a lot of lean muscle. :(
  • brittigno
    brittigno Posts: 193 Member
    It's never filled me up. I don't get how people could drink two of those and then a meal. I'd be starving. O__O
  • janalayn
    janalayn Posts: 510 Member
    I drink 2 a day during the work week (breakfast and lunch)... mainly because it is cheap ($8.44 for a 12 pack of the Wal-mart brand) and easy. I don't have time to eat before I leave the house because I have to wait an hour after my thyroid meds to eat. I don't follow the slim fast plan at all ... they are just part of my calories for the day. It has saved me a lot of money and calories since I am no longer tempted to eat out for lunch.
  • natesangel
    natesangel Posts: 210 Member
    i do the slim fast ( or walmart brand) for breakfast and lunch, top up with good snacks and a solid meal (lunch or supper) for the simple fact that it's what i've always known and otherwise i wouldn't eat anything or i binge. so far the nutritional values are helping me make better choices for the snacks and meals i do eat. HOWEVER, i do agree (and am working on) using it only to get body used to having something at meal times, observe values and learn what the heck i'm doing! this is a temp solution and unlike others that i know this should not be looked at for a lifetime food choice, there other options!
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    It has trans fats. That's the one thing I avoid at all costs.
  • It's chemicals in a can with nutrition that is hard for your body to absorb. You can find much better alternatives:-)
  • Sometimes I drink the Chocolate Shake in the morning for breakfast. When ice cold, the taste isn't too bad and it actually does fill me up for a while. I don't do it religiously but I am not against it.
  • 10acity
    10acity Posts: 798 Member
    I'm sure there are haters out there (there are haters of everything on MFP) but I am a big fan of Slim Fast. I've gotten away from it, but the first time I lost a lot of weight I had a Slim Fast shake nearly every morning for breakfast [Chocolate Royale + nonfat milk + ice + frozen fruit = delicious!] and it was very satisfying. I've actually been thinking a lot lately about going back to them. It's super quick and convenient.

    I have no idea where you are, but if you're going with the canned variety, the Walmart (Equate) brand actually tastes better than the Slim Fast (and is cheaper, I think).

    Also, for the record, I have kept off 40 lbs for over 5 years.
  • JoniBologna
    JoniBologna Posts: 653 Member
    Why not just take a multi and drink a protein shake? I think that would be much more beneficial.
  • cmayfield3
    cmayfield3 Posts: 176 Member
    I keep them on hand. They are good to have if I'm still hungry after a small meal--they are like a dessert that fills me up. They have saved me from bingeing several times. I also like them as a quick something after a run when I don't really feel like eating but need something. I wouldn't do the whole diet thing though, I like food I can chew!
  • TamImbrogno
    TamImbrogno Posts: 72 Member
    I have used it during weightloss. It has worked both times. First time I dropped 32lbs in 8wks and this time I dropped 25lbs in 6wksusing it. I always buy the powder and add almond vanilla milk!! I am phasing out of it now as i am ready to replace with real food!!
  • JoniBologna
    JoniBologna Posts: 653 Member
    I'm sure there are haters out there (there are haters of everything on MFP) but I am a big fan of Slim Fast. I've gotten away from it, but the first time I lost a lot of weight I had a Slim Fast shake nearly every morning for breakfast [Chocolate Royale + nonfat milk + ice + frozen fruit = delicious!] and it was very satisfying. I've actually been thinking a lot lately about going back to them. It's super quick and convenient.

    I have no idea where you are, but if you're going with the canned variety, the Walmart (Equate) brand actually tastes better than the Slim Fast (and is cheaper, I think).

    Also, for the record, I have kept off 40 lbs for over 5 years.

    But you still have 85lbs to lose? This does not convince me slimfast or equate is any better than a sugary vitamin drink. When you're ready to build muscle replace it with something that has more protein and is more filling.
  • KLWELL400
    KLWELL400 Posts: 22
    I have one slim-fast a day before my exercise workout. I had back surgery in 2007 and they wanted me to drink the Boost several times a day, EXPENSIVE! My hubby was comparing ingredients on the Boost and the Slim-fast and they are exactly the same so he bought me slim-fast. The surgeon was astonished at my recovery, I was walking a mile a day (before the fibro) only 3 weeks after surgery.
    I had the surgery to fuse L4-L5 after it was found that the bones were sitting on top of each other with no cushion of the disc it had ruptured and caused my spine to start fraying the spinal cord. The spinal cord was shorting out you might say and had to be shaved and then cauterized, the team of doctors were looking to get me back on my feet in 8 weeks and 4 months of pain pills. I was walking the mile in 3 weeks and off the pain pills in the same time.
    I think that the protein in the slim-fast helped my recovery as I was unable to eat any solids for the first two weeks after surgery, only slim-fast.
    So it really is up to the person on if they want to do the whole slim-fast deal, as for me I will continue my one a day as a protein boost. I do not use it as a weight-loss tool but tend to eat healthier and exercise more. Have a great day!:smile:
  • DEGiltz
    DEGiltz Posts: 297 Member
    I would rather eat real food whenever possible, however, I keep Slim Fast bars in my car for "emergencies". I work in outside sales and sometimes a proper lunch doesn't fit into my schedule. I refuse to eat drive thru food; I don't care that the fast food chains have made attempts at healthier offerings, I still think it's all just gross. The bars and the shakes are shelf stable so they are easy to keep in the car.
  • marzekiel
    marzekiel Posts: 11 Member
    I prefer "Labrada LeanBody for Her" because it has 30gr protein and I can to my "4-hour-Body" 30 grains as fast as possible after awakening. It is effective for me.

    In the past, I really liked Atkins drinks, but for several months, no matter where I bought them, they were curdled. Atkins sent me a few free coupons, but I became frustrated and concerned about their quality control. Needing to return more than a dozen Atkins drinks over months made me Atkins-shy. Further, too little protein and too much soy for my hypothyroid body!

    But I'm a great believer in doing what works for you! I want high protein and low carbs. Labrada works for me best.
  • Sl1ghtly
    Sl1ghtly Posts: 855 Member
    Slim Fast sux...

    This is where its at!!!
    07235000011_450x450_a-1.jpg
  • 10acity
    10acity Posts: 798 Member
    I'm sure there are haters out there (there are haters of everything on MFP) but I am a big fan of Slim Fast. I've gotten away from it, but the first time I lost a lot of weight I had a Slim Fast shake nearly every morning for breakfast [Chocolate Royale + nonfat milk + ice + frozen fruit = delicious!] and it was very satisfying. I've actually been thinking a lot lately about going back to them. It's super quick and convenient.

    I have no idea where you are, but if you're going with the canned variety, the Walmart (Equate) brand actually tastes better than the Slim Fast (and is cheaper, I think).

    Also, for the record, I have kept off 40 lbs for over 5 years.

    But you still have 85lbs to lose? This does not convince me slimfast or equate is any better than a sugary vitamin drink. When you're ready to build muscle replace it with something that has more protein and is more filling.

    I'm not really sure how this is relevant? When I was using it, Slim Fast helped me lose weight. I didn't lose all the weight I wanted to lose for a myriad of reasons, none of which had anything to do with Slim Fast.

    I'm not a big fan of the canned variety and rarely bought it, but I was working full time and in school full time then, so I occasionally used them just for the sake of convenience. Using the powder and adding frozen fruit tastes much better.
This discussion has been closed.