The Slim-Fast diet allows dieters to lose weight safely and quickly through an easy-to-follow plan. Its food products and website give dieters tools to personalize and further simplify their weight loss journey and achieve real results. You should evaluate all aspects of a diet with your doctor to ensure it's the suitable choice for you.
Slim-Fast 3-2-1
Slim-Fast reformulated its diet plan in 2009, branding it Slim-Fast 3-2-1. You consume three 100-calorie snacks, two 200-calorie meal replacements and one 500-calorie well-balanced meal per day. Slim-Fast also recommends drinking at least eight glasses of water per day. Although the company does not list physical activity as part of the basic plan, Slim-Fast highly encourages you to incorporate moderate exercise to expedite weight loss.
The Food
Slim-Fast sells food products for the snack and meal replacement portions of the plan. It has five varieties each of its snack and meal replacement bars; flavors include Chocolate Peanut Caramel, Fruit & Yogurt Trail Mix, Chocolatey Vanilla Blitz, and Double-Dutch Chocolate. Slim-Fast also has eight varieties of its staple shake, with flavors such as Rich Chocolate Royale and French Vanilla. The well-balanced meal should include a combination of lean protein, whole-grain carbohydrates and vegetables. Most people assume that this meal must be dinner, but you can have the meal for breakfast or lunch if you prefer.
Results
The success of the plan relies on meal replacement, which restricts the amount of calories you consume per day. The American Dietetic Associations confirms the effectiveness of meal replacements for losing weight. Slim-Fast guarantees that you will lose an average of one to two lbs per week by following the meal plan only. This meal plan has proved successful in the short-term, but information regarding the long-term effectiveness of the plan varies.
Online Tools
Slim-Fast has a comprehensive and interactive website for its users. The website has sample two-week eating plans; a personalized profile that allows you to track your food and water intake, physical activity and weigh loss; a forum to communicate with fellow dieters and a registered dietician to answer questions. The website also has recipes for meal ideas.
Pros
Outside reviews praise Slim-Fast for its easy-to-follow plan and convenience, since its products take the guesswork out of choosing healthy meals and snacks. The plan does not ban any food in particular as long as the food stays within the calorie requirements, and it provides realized, quick results, which help dieters adhere to the plan.
Cons
The dependence on meal replacements does not teach dieters healthy food habits, which can hinder some dieter's ability to maintain their weight loss once off the plan. The lack of variety of shake and bar flavors can cause boredom and difficulty adhering to the plan. Slim-Fast food products are also high in sugar, which is typically not conducive to weight loss.
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