The Slim-Fast diet is a program for weight loss that uses Slim-Fast bars and shakes, along with limited fresh foods. The program, called the Slim-Fast 3-2-1 Plan, uses a 1,200-calorie daily meal plan. Before you start this or a similar diet, talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of a program that emphasizes processed products at the expense of fresh foods.
Weight Loss Program
Slim-Fast claims that its low-calorie diet and regular exercise help you lose about 1 to 2 lbs. per week. On the 3-2-1 Plan, you eat six times a day to decrease hunger. You have three snacks, which can be 100-calorie Slim-Fast snack bars or 100-calorie portions of healthy foods such as fruit, vegetables or nuts. You have one regular meal each day, and twice a day, you replace a meal with a Slim-Fast meal bar or shake. These provide about 200 calories and are high in protein and fiber, and they have at least 20 percent of the daily value for most vitamins and essential minerals.
Meal
The Slim-Fast diet is a plan with a single 500-calorie meal per day. As a guide, about one-quarter of your plate should have a starch, such as whole-grain bread, brown rice, potatoes or corn. Another quarter should have a lean protein, such as chicken, fish, shrimp or 4 to 6 oz. of a meat alternative, such as tofu. Finally, half of your plate should have vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, eggplant or spinach. For extra protein and fewer carbohydrates, your meal can include one-third protein and two-thirds vegetables with no starch.
Online Features
The Slim-Fast diet is a free program, and anyone can access the online resources for support and information. Read articles with tips for sticking to the diet, find answers to frequently asked questions, or send your own questions about nutrition to a registered dietitian. You can register for an account so you can track your weight loss progress and plan your meals. You can also participate in community discussions about food, motivation or physical activity.
Not a Lifestyle
The Slim-Fast diet may be a successful program to help you lose weight, but may not be a healthy diet to follow for long periods. The diet does not meet national recommendations for a balanced diet, such as those from Health.gov, which include eating a certain number of servings of fruits, vegetables, beans and lentils, lean proteins, low-fat dairy products most days. Health.gov recommends getting your nutrients from a variety of whole foods, but most of your nutrients on the Slim-Fast diet come from processed diet bars and shakes. Slim-Fast may be impractical because it requires specific diet products, so it could be a challenge to include indulgences such as restaurant meals into your meal plan.
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