Slim-Fast meal replacement products, manufactured by Unilever, are designed to encourage weight loss. These ready-to-drink shakes are vitamin- and mineral-fortified and fiber-rich. Slim-Fast Optima meal replacement shakes claim to be able to make you feel full for a longer period of time. Like many similar products, there are nutritional pros and cons.
Canned Shakes
One serving (one can) of the Slim-Fast Optima Creamy Milk Chocolate ready-to-drink shake offers 180 calories, 5 grams (g) total fat (1g saturated), 10g protein, 24g carbohydrates (14g sugar or about 4 tsp.), 5g dietary fiber and 220mg sodium. Approximately 52 percent of calories come from carbohydrates, 21 percent from protein and 28 percent from fat. Slim-Fast Optima shakes provide, on average, 35 percent for the Recommended Daily Value (DV) for 23 essential vitamins and minerals.
Meal Replacement Quality
According to Women Fitness website, meal replacement shakes should provide 250 to 300 calories, 35 to 45 g protein, 20 to 25 g carbohydrates, 2 to 4 g fat and offer between 50 to 100 percent of the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for most major vitamins and minerals. According to these criteria, Slim-Fast Optima comes up short on calories, slightly exceeds the recommended limit for fat, is too low in protein but provides an adequate amount of carbohydrates. While vitamin and mineral fortified, this beverage comes up short on a few key minerals.
Minerals
In theory, a meal replacement beverage, such as Slim-Fast Optima, should meet at least one-third, if not one-half of your requirement for most major vitamins and minerals. The Optima shakes do not provide enough zinc, iron or selenium, offering 15, 15 and 20 percent of the DV for each in one serving, respectively. Iron is especially important for women, who are at a greater risk of deficiency due to menstruation. Iron helps build red blood cells and forms hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to all body cells. Zinc aids in wound healing and selenium acts as an antioxidant. All of these minerals are important for a healthy immune system.
Weight Loss Effectiveness
The Slim-Fast Plan calls for drinking a shake in place of two meals (usually breakfast and lunch) and having a sensible dinner of 500 calories, bringing a total day's calories to less than 1,000. In a research study published in "Public Health Nutrition" in 2009, 300 obese individuals were randomly assigned to follow one of four weight-loss diets for six months to investigate their effectiveness. The diets included Dr Atkins' New Diet Revolution, The Slim-Fast Plan, Weight Watchers Points program and the "Eat Yourself Slim" Diet. Significant weight loss was achieved by all groups without significant differences observed between the diets after six months.
Pros and Cons
The recommended Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges (AMDR) for carbohydrates is 45 to 65 percent of calories, 10 to 35 percent protein and 30 percent or less from fat. The Optima shakes are balanced and in line with these recommendations. As a fiber-rich drink, it may help stave off hunger. Optima provides half the amount of sugar of the original shakes, a definite "pro." The Slim-Fast Plan is a very low-calorie diet. Very low-calorie diets may be associated with nutrient deficiencies and low energy levels. If you exercise regularly, you may not be consuming enough calories to fuel your workouts.
References
- Slim Fast: Product Information
- Women Fitness Net: Meal Replacement Shakes - A Healthy Choice
- USDA: Dietary Reference Intakes Report
- "Nutrition for Foodservice and Culinary Professionals, 6th Ed."; K.E. Drummond; 2007
- "Public Health Nutrition Journal"; Comparison of Four Weight-Loss Programs; L.M. Morgan, et al.;
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