Slim Fast?

Ok, so I am looking for some informed opinions regarding the health and effectiveness of Slim Fast. I have always had a problem with eating breakfast, because I seem to never leave myself enough time in the AM to fix something healthy, and I'm honestly not usually that hungry when I first wake up. So, I've been trying the Slim Fast powder for breakfast. With non-fat milk, it's about 200 calories, fast, pretty filling and something that I enjoy drinking in the morning.

Their "official" diet plan is to have a Slim Fast drink or bar in the AM, a mid-morning snack of fruit, lunch is another drink or bar, plus another 200 calories of something healthy, an afternoon snack of fruit with a Slim Fast snack, and a healthy dinner. I am not planning on following this exactly....my plan, today, for example, was to do the shake in the AM, a Slim Fast bar (220 cals) and a 100-calorie whole wheat english muffin with a few slices of ham and one slice of pepper jack cheese with mustard for lunch (another 200 or so cals), an afternoon snack of low-fat yogurt or string cheese and carrots with fat-free ranch, and a healthy dinner. (Plus a Skinny Cow ice cream sandwich for dessert :)

I am shooting for about 1200-1500 calories a day (I'm 28, 5'5" and currently 170 lbs, trying to lose 30-40 lbs) I guess my question is....what are your opinions about the Slim Fast products as a whole? Too much sugar? Too processed? Is 200 calories for breakfast enough?

I am trying to kickstart my diet and get this year off to a good start, so I want to make sure I'm not doing something detrimental. Any suggestions/warnings/success stories would be appreciated!

Thanks! :)

Original Post by jmd22:

Too much sugar? Yes Too processed? Yes Is 200 calories for breakfast enough? Nope.

i guess the problem that i've had with slim fast, is that i dont use them as meal replacements.  i just end up drinking them with a meal or as an extra meal.  to me, those things never replace real food so even if i have slim fast available, im still going to eat the same amount of real food on top of it.   i think the biggest question is whether or not the slim fast will be enough of a meal, to keep you from eating an actual meal.

edit: i also agree with floggingsully.  real food is the best option.

When I tried it the two main things that happened were 1)  I was hungry about an hour later (could not make to mid morning) and 2) I got bored with it.  I also found sticking to it very hard, and since it really didn't teach me anything about how to estimate portions and calories of everyday food, whatever I lost came back.

Of course, this was many years ago - I don't know if the quality of the shakes or ability to make you feel "satisfied" has improved.  But judging from the products available in the store, I do believe I would still be bored with it.  Even if I replaced the shakes with the "meal replacement bars" so I could actually chew something, it's still just a consistantly sweet and processed intake for two meals of the day.  What it comes down to, just from an enjoyment and aesthetic standpoint, is that I prefer to eat real food.

That being said, it's probably a decent way for people who are inexperienced with weight loss to portion out calories and make sure they are getting something semi-nutritious. I do recommend transitioning from it though.

Just my .02 - good luck with your efforts!

I agree with floggingsully on both counts. I am a pretty big breakfast person (meaning I like eating it) but rarely have too much time to make it. Lots of things can be made a bit in advance and eaten on your way out the door --

* Homemade granola bars with dried fruits, nuts, and grains

* Steel cut oats (just soak in water the night before and heat for a few min in the microwave). Toss in some nuts or fruit.

* Mini spinach quiches can be made in muffin tins ahead of time and frozen (just reheat in the microwave)

* An egg takes about 1 min to cool on the stove. Throw it in a whole wheat pita with some cheese, turkey, or ham and you can run out the house with it.

Also,  your plan seems to be almost devoid of veggies (save the carrots as a snack). You may want to try to get veggies into each meal if you can!

I also never leave myself enough time for breakfast (I leave for work at 6:45 and I refuse to wake up earlier than 5:45).

I hard-boil some eggs for egg whites and eat them with some high-fiber carb like a piece of fruit, a fiber bar or cereal like Kashi.  Or I'll bring some greek yogurt, strawberries and Kashi with me to work and mix it there.

The really important thing is that I get everything together on Sunday.  I'll hard-boil and peel the eggs, I'll portion out the greek yogurt, put the cereal in a baggie, etc.  Then I put the individual breakfasts in seperate bags, so all I have to do it grab it and head out the door.

I do this for my lunch and snacks too (just with different food).  So really, all I have to worry about in the morning is waking up and getting ready.

Ok, well, in general, how should I be spreading out my calories for the day? I was just doing the math of what I plan to eat all day:

-Breakfast: Slim Fast shake: 200 cals

-Lunch: Slim Fast Bar, light whole wheat english muffin, 4 slices of ham, 1 slice of pepper jack cheese: 430 cals

-Afternoon snack: low fat yogurt or string cheese and carrots with fat free ranch: approx. 175 cals

That's 805 cals so far....so that leaves me around 600 calories for the rest of the day.(Shooting for around 1400 cals/per day) I'm trying to eat something every 3 hours, 4-5 small meals per day. Is it better to eat a higher calorie breakfast in order to jumpstart your metabolism? 

I am not planning on using the Slim Fast plan forever, just to get a kickstart to my diet....its an easy way for me to adjust to eating smaller portions and less calories. 

Thanks for the feedback!

i would suggest eating a good breakfast if you can ( i absolutely hate eating when i first wake up), but i would definately save yourself some room for night time.  i find that i eat twice as much within a few hours at night as i do all day long.  also, i wouldnt worry about planning out each meal exactly.  everytime i have ever done that i ended up either changing the plan anyways or feeling guilty because i didnt stick to the exact schedule.  most importantly would be having quick food available when you are tired, lazy, not willing to cook, but definately going to eat.   i find that i will eat whatever is most convenient whenever i randomly decide to eat,  so making sure i have healthy convenience food is key.

Any diet plan like slim fast shakes is going to be a hard plan to stick to long term - so for long term weight loss? - it just won't work.

However I don't think it is bad to use a the shakes as a breakfast supplement - especially if otherwise you wouldn't eat anything at all.  But I do agree with comments above that it won't "stick with you" for long and you will likely feel hungry soon!

But also doing some of your own research and coming up with quick breakfast foods that you could stomach first thing in the morning is a great next step to better living/eating & weight loss.

Protein and high fibre and low sugar = less hungry = less binges!

Spread out your calories in a way that works for you. Evenly if possible - but if you just aren't a breakfast lover - save some extra for lunch or dinner or afternoon snack! Each to their own!

eh IMHO.......the shake as a "meal replacement" aspect of the plan doesn't work-I used to use the shake for a snack though!

Kristy

I'll post a sample of my food log, as I'm keeping to 1400 cals on non-workout days too.

Breakfast - Oatmeal (.5 cup dry) with 1/2 apple, 2 tbsp chopped walnuts, .5c unsweetened almond breeze -- 300 cal

Snack - 2 clementines -- 60 cal

Lunch - 1c bean soup with 3 oz chicken thrown in and one serving multigrain crackers-- 360 cal

Snacks (I snack a lot before dinner) -- 2c veggies (carrots, peppers, celery, etc), 15 almonds -- 200cal

Dinner - Salmon with .5 c edemame and rice -- 450cal

Total -- 1370cals for the day

It's not perfect in terms of nutrition breakdown (could be higher in fiber too), but I think it will help with the breakdown throughout the day. Of course if you eat an earlier dinner than me (usually I eat around 9pm) you may want to move your snacks around. I hope it helps!

Original Post by apointe:

I'll post a sample of my food log, as I'm keeping to 1400 cals on non-workout days too.

Breakfast - Oatmeal (.5 cup dry) with 1/2 apple, 2 tbsp chopped walnuts, .5c unsweetened almond breeze -- 300 cal

Snack - 2 clementines -- 60 cal

Lunch - 1c bean soup with 3 oz chicken thrown in and one serving multigrain crackers-- 360 cal

Snacks (I snack a lot before dinner) -- 2c veggies (carrots, peppers, celery, etc), 15 almonds -- 200cal

Dinner - Salmon with .5 c edemame and rice -- 450cal

Total -- 1370cals for the day

 

It's not perfect in terms of nutrition breakdown (could be higher in fiber too), but I think it will help with the breakdown throughout the day. Of course if you eat an earlier dinner than me (usually I eat around 9pm) you may want to move your snacks around. I hope it helps!

Thanks, that helps to see that! I know that I need to add more fruits and veggies to my meals, and I need to adjust my afternoon snack, because I workout after work and before dinner, and I tend to have low blood sugar issues, so I need a fairly substantial pre-workout snack. I'm slowly figuring this out, haha :)

jmd,

I'm an advocate for whole foods and staying away from over-processed foods.  But at the same time, I know the importance of breakfast.  My usual morning routine is to try to have time for a bowl of high fiber cereal with skim milk and a banana (or other fresh fruit).  Or I'll fix a bowl of the healthy oatmeal (not the sugary pre-mix) with fresh fruit.

Like so many others, there are days when I don't give myself time for a leisurely sit-down breakfast.  On those days I will grab a piece of fruit (bananas are my preference) along with one of the Slim Fast protein bars, which I can eat in the car.  They aren't the healthiest choice, and I wouldn't do this every day, but sometimes you gotta' do what you gotta' do to get some protein and fiber in you to kick-start your morning.

I've done this now for more then two years and have managed to lose more then 200 pounds and my blood tests continue to come back with healthy results.  My word of advice it to try not to make the replacement meals a habit.  They're okay here and there, but don't rely on them for daily meals.

Good luck and stay healthy!

Original Post by kaufmkk:

jmd,

I've done this now for more then two years and have managed to lose more then 200 pounds and my blood tests continue to come back with healthy results.  My word of advice it to try not to make the replacement meals a habit.  They're okay here and there, but don't rely on them for daily meals.

Good luck and stay healthy!

 

 

 

 CONGRATS KAUFMKK!!! That is amazing work you have accomplished!

And JMD not a fan of the slimfast shakes, (I have got to have something to crunch!)   But like kaufmkk stated, the bars work in a pinch and are way more satisfying.  We are talking about the protein bars here (Or at least I am) not the meal replacement.  I also usually try to add in a fruit of lowfat milk.  Good Luck to you.

Thank you for all the advice guys! I will definitely try to use the Slim Fast foods as "some of the time" replacements when time is an issue, and not rely on them for full-time meal replacements. 

I appreciate all the feedback. And, kaufmkk, congrats on your amazing accomplishments.....keep it up!!

Honestly, I used slimfast shakes for a semester. I did lose weight, but the problem came later. When I stopped drinking slimfast I put the weight back on fast.

It's a better plan to eat a healthy breakfast like oatmeal or special K protein cereal. I know that it's difficult sometimes in the morning to find the time, but wake up ten minutes earlier and have a healthy breakfast.

Also, I recommend the Smart Ones frozen dinners for lunch. They keep me full until dinner and they are (usually) tasty. They are the weight watchers meals and you can find them at Walmart.

Good luck!

After the last and final break up with my husband in August, I started buying Slim Fast as a supplement. (I couldn't stomach food and was frequently  nauseated)  The one I get is french vanilla, high protein and I mix it with fresh oj instead of milk.I still use it if  I'm running short of calories.

I don't  believe in following restrictive diets but if you  can't stomach breakfast, you should go ahead and try the shakes in the morning.  You don't have to follow the Slim Fast plan, just use the shakes as part of your calorie count regimen. 

Eventually, you should try and acclimate yourself to a decent breakfast.  I love oatmeal in the winter (plain with flaxseed meal, brown sugar and wheat germ). Then in the summer I eat cold cereal and peanut butter with honey sandwich. 

I have found that Slimfast definately helps get you started. About 2 years ago I followed a similar diet (eating every couple hours/abt. 1700 cals/gym 1-2x per day) and I did great and lost the first 10lbs no problem.

When I used it I would use slim fast (the canned bev.) as breakfast, then say about 2 hours later I'd do a fiber one or other similar bar and then small lunch about 3 hours later (small salad w/light dressing [or fruit] and a bowl of cereal [or 4oz grilled chicken]) and then have a yogurt later in the day. I would have something similar for dinner as well.

I think the key is to watch portion sizes, drink LOTS of water, EXERCISE and make sure you get enough sleep. I followed that for an entire semester and I did great. I dropped about 20lbs and was in the best shape of my life. I also allowed small indulgences each week too (ice cream or a mini bag of skittles etc.)

I used to HATE breakfast. But then I started shoving it in even though I wasn't "hungry" and boy, it makes a huge difference in the amount of energy I have throughout the day. I love the others suggestions of quick breakfasts, especially the wrap idea. I usually down a bowl of muesli and a banana since I'm too grumpy to cook anything.

I just think it's better not to rely on overly processed food too much, but if it as you say, gives you a kickstart, then all the best!

I try to shoot for between 1500-2000 cals a day (I'm zig-zagging) but usually break it up like this:

Breakfast- 400 cals

Lunch-500 cals

Snacks-200 cals

Dinner-3-400 cals

After dinner snacks-100-150

I've been making ALL my after dinner snacks fruit or raw veggies, so I can eat a lot (oral fixtation) and try to get enough protein for both dinner and lunch. I also try to make breakfast the most carb laden meal, lunch mixed, and dinner lean protein with complex carbs (salad with chicken breast, fish or falafel)

Just an idea, but if you don't like "breakfast" foods, there is no rule that says you HAVE to have eggs or cereal or oatmeal.  Chicken breast and broccoli (reheated from the night before) is just as good.

As for me, I love the new eggbeaters with yolk (40 cals per serving).  I use a whole cup of it and make an omlette, it's the same size as 4 eggs but only 160 calories + the small amount of calories in the vegetables and spritz of Pam, and have a small serving of oatmeal for about 350 calories, and I am good to go for a while.

 I pretty much did what shapes44 did.  It worked-I lost the 20 lbs I gained and kept it off until I got pregnant.  The big thing though is that my weight gain came from a change in eating habits and activity level.  Once I lost the weight and went back to my pre-weight gain routine, it was easy to maintain.  I would think that once you get to the weight you want, as long as you make sure you're sticking to maintenance level calories you won't gain it back. 

I liked the diet because I'm always in a hurry in the morning and it's easy to chug down on the way to work after my morning workout.  If you're snacking during the day and drinking plenty of fluid you won't feel the need to overeat at night.