Anyone try slimfast?

I have had the shakes when I find myself hungry in between meals. I was surprised that they tasted good. I can't speak for weight loss as I didn't follow the plan properly.

I've tried that and the special K shakes. They taste alright, but didn't help me lose weight. Actually I gained weight with the slimfast ones.

I tried them, followed the plan but didn't lose as much as I can eating 'real' food. Loved the milkshakes I was sad to stop having them lol

I always found food to be more satisfying in terms of my hunger. I'd rather count out the calories and eat something for a meal then just pop open a shake. For instance, a shake can have190 calories, 50 from fat, and 10g protein. You can get more proteins, less fat, and fewer calories by eating a Turkey Breast cutlet (120 calories, 0 fat, 28g protein). Not only that, eating food is harder for your body to digest, so your body spends more calories just in the process of breaking down the food, this is known as the thermic benefit of digestion.

I've drank the shakes with breakfast before. They taste good. It was like chocolate milk with other stuff in it. But I've never used it to lose weight.

I tried them but was bored after about two weeks- I think they would be okay short term use with a small amount of weight to lose-

Did it work? Did you gain the weight right back? Im just talking about about the shakes not the bars ect.

Slim-fast shakes are balanced (if processed) nutrition. They are a convenient way to get your nutrition in a reasonably balanced diet. Log them as food as part of your food diary, and they're a great convenience.

I will mention, however, the whole point of this site is to start logging your food so you learn what foods give you the nutrition you need to get through a day. When you reach your goal, you're going to want to reach an equilibrium point where you can maintain the "new you".

You're certainly OK maintaining slim-fast or some prepared meal shake as part of your permanent diet, just consider as you approach your goal whether that's part of your long-term goals, and consider replacing them with "real food" occasionally so you can develop your maintenance lifestyle gradually and not "end your diet" in a position where you don't have a "transition to maintenance" plan ready.

So, in short, diet shakes are a useful tool. Use them judiciously.

That's my opinion, at least. I've seen too many friends use diet shakes and follow the label instructions and lose weight at very healthy rates, then when their "diet" is over they go back to their old eating habits, and the obvious result is that they go back to their old weight fast.

EDIT: I'll occasionally use things like Clif Bars for the same reason - as a rapid, measurable, balanced way to get some nutrition in me when other sources are unavailable or inconvenient. I count them as part of my calories, fat, protein, and carbs for the day. They're a convenient tool, and I wouldn't feel any qualms about replacing a meal with one, provided it fits into my daily eating plan.

I tried the shakes back in 2002 or 2003 and stayed with them for roughly 6-8 months. I think I lost an inch or so off my waist but the things were disgusting to me, I actually couldn't drink one of the flavors because it was so artificial, and I ended up throwing them up after a while. I don't know if they've changed since then, I would imagine some improvement's been made.

That aside I will say it did its job as a meal replacement, it kept me full.

Liked the taste but I missed chewing my meals.

Liked the taste but I missed chewing my meals.

^^^^ Don't underestimate this factor. They are filling but not "satisfying" for some people, if you get my drift, in part because they are low in proteins and in part because they're a liquid, not a solid.

Gum can help with the "chewing" factor, but then you're starting to put more effort into replacing your food than you would have just preparing it. And if you want to work out, you need more proteins than they might provide.

I always found food to be more satisfying in terms of my hunger. I'd rather count out the calories and eat something for a meal then just pop open a shake. For instance, a shake can have190 calories, 50 from fat, and 10g protein. You can get more proteins, less fat, and fewer calories by eating a Turkey Breast cutlet (120 calories, 0 fat, 28g protein). Not only that, eating food is harder for your body to digest, so your body spends more calories just in the process of breaking down the food, this is known as the thermic benefit of digestion.

This. I was always hungry with the shakes, and didn't have nearly as much success as with just counting calories and eating whole foods. They're tasty, and they'd do in a pinch, but not as a regular program type thing.

I used SlimFast for 8 months as a meal replacement for breakfast and lunch and lost a total of 70 pounds. After that I got tired of drinking my meals and went back to my old habits and regained the entire amount of weight back within a few years. It does work as a meal replacement but I personally wouldn't recommend it for long term use. Good luck to you! :-)

I tried it years ago and followed the plan but GAINED weight for all my efforts. I'm sensitive to carbs so maybe that's why.