If you are looking for a weight loss diet with a minimum amount of cooking, the Slim-Fast 3-2-1 Plan may be for you because it emphasizes bars and shakes, and you only need to cook one meal each day. The program provides 1,200 calories each day to help you lose weight, but it does not meet national recommendations for a balanced diet, so get your doctor's approval before starting this diet.
The Plan
Twice a day on the Slim-Fast 3-2-1 Plan, dieters eat a Slim-Fast meal bar or shake instead of a regular meal, and the other meal each day is a 500-calorie balanced meal. You get three 100-calorie snacks every day, and each of these can be your choice of a Slim-Fast snack bar, with 10 percent of the daily value for calcium and most vitamins, or a healthy food such as fruit, nuts or vegetables. Slim-Fast also recommends making exercise part of your daily routine.
Slim-Fast Meal Replacements
Each meal bar or shake has about 180 to 200 calories, and varieties include vanilla, chocolate and strawberry shakes, and chocolate peanut caramel, fruit and yogurt trail mix and chocolate cookie dough meal bars. The bars and shakes provide dietary fiber and high-quality protein, and shakes are also available in higher protein and lower carbohydrate options. Meal bars provide at least 20 percent of the daily value for most vitamins and essential minerals, and shakes provide at least 30 percent.
Balanced Meal
You can eat your balanced meal for breakfast, lunch or dinner, and Slim-Fast recommends using the Portion Plate Guide to build your meal. Half of your plate should contain vegetables, such as broccoli, eggplant or carrots, one-quarter of your plate should be covered by a lean protein, such as chicken, fish or tofu, and the rest of your plate should be filled by a starch, such as potatoes, brown rice, whole-grain bread or corn. If you are trying to reduce your carbohydrate intake, you can replace the starch with extra vegetables.
Other Information
Your only cost for Slim-Fast is the cost of your food, and anyone can use the online resources and create an account at Slim-Fast's website. You can join in community discussions or group challenges, read articles and answers to frequently asked questions and send your own questions to a dietitian. Since the program is online, you do not attend weigh-ins or in-person group meetings. If you are unsure if Slim-Fast is for you, ask your doctor for advice.
Member Comments