Since 1977, there has been a weight loss regimen called the Slim Fast diet. In essence, this plan called for two low-calorie lunches and a low-calorie dinner each day.
Since then, the business has added shakes, smoothies, bars, and snacks to its product lineup. Products in Original Formulas, Advanced Nutrition, Advanced Energy, Diabetic Weight Loss, and Keto are now also available.
The 1-2-3 diet, which calls for one decent meal, two meal replacements, and three snacks per day, is the foundation of the modified Slim Fast diet. You can select one of the four primary options—favorite foods, keto, or low carb—based on the 1-2-3 plan.
Although the company advertises that you can lose weight in less than a week, many detractors think Slim Fast diet is pricey and unsustainable.
Who should attend Slimfest?
Products from Slim Fast are made for those who want to lose weight quickly and simply. These foods are convenient and low in calories, making them a viable weight loss alternative for people with hectic schedules.
People who want a straightforward meal plan that requires little grocery shopping and food preparation frequently buy Slim Fast products. However, bear in mind that certain items are not inexpensive and might not be accessible to all consumers.
How is Slim Fast put to use?
One balanced meal, two meal replacements, and three snacks each day make up the Slim Fast Diet meal replacement plan. The “SlimFast 1-2-3 Plan” or “SlimFast Plan” are its names.
There are four ways you can pursue this program:
- The popular Slim Fast items, which have been available on the market for more than 40 years, are used in this menu plan. But it seems that the business is gradually abandoningthis menu option in favor of the well-liked keto and low-carb options.
- Favorite foods: The program allows one “Slim Fast-approved” meal each day as long as you keep below your calorie limitations and do not have specified nutrient requirements.
- This program is regarded as the easiest and most versatile offered by this company.
- Keto: This keto diet plan, created for those who follow it, emphasizes a high-fat diet with a combination of Keto Slim Fast items and a “sensible” keto meal. Because of the necessary macronutrient targets, Slim Fast diet is the most challenging for keto dieters to adhere to.
- Low-carb: Unlike the ketogenic diet, the low-carb approach places more of an emphasis on consuming fewer carbohydrates.
No matter what plan you select, you will learn how to make one meal a day on your own. There are limits on what items to include, and the firm advises that you keep your daily calorie intake under 600.
There are various instructions that fit this condition on the company’s website and mobile app. You will substitute a shake, smoothie, or SlimFest bar for the remaining meals. Additionally, the Slim Fast snack line offers three 100-calorie snacks every day.
The program’s premise is that you can lower your daily calorie consumption, which should result in weight loss, by substituting high-calorie meals and snacks with low-calorie alternatives.
Additionally, several Slim Fast diet replacement items are heavy in protein, which can aid in hunger suppression.
Due to frequent meals and snacks, the Slim Fast diet also asserts that it will keep your metabolism in check. The Slim Fast diet gives roughly 1,200–1,300 calories per day for women and 1,600–1,700 calories per day for men, according to Slim Fast.(2)
The program also suggests that you combine your diet with at least 30 minutes of activity each day to help you achieve the calorie deficit needed to lose weight. You can anticipate losing one to two pounds (0.45 to 0.91 kg) per week by following the Slim Fast diet.
Use the Slim Fast Together app
This organization provides SlimFast Together, a relatively new application, to assist you in staying on track and achieving your weight loss objectives. You must answer a crucial questionnaire to determine your goals and priorities when you first start the program.
After that, you may use this app to plan meals by selecting from already-approved recipes or by adding your own. You may use the app’s built-in calculator to see whether you’ve met your daily calorie, macronutrient, and hydration objectives.
The grocery ordering option, which automatically generates a shopping list of prepared food items and enables you to order at a nearby merchant for pickup, may be the most practical mode.
You can enter data about your present weight, measurements, nutrition, water intake, exercise, sleep, and stress in the app’s progress tracking tool. For both Apple and Android devices, you may now get this application for nothing.
How do I get SlimFest started?
Basic Foods, Favorite Foods, Low Carb, and Keto are the four plans that Slim Fast offers. You must first download the SlimFast Together app in order to sign up for the Favorite Foods, Low Carb, or Keto programs.
If you’re unsure which area to pick, you may use the app’s brief quiz to get a personalized plan based on your objectives, tastes, and lifestyle.
Once you’ve decided on a menu for the week, you may either select one that has already been created or make your own.
The app will then display a shopping list that you can use to place an online grocery order or bring with you to the store.
On the corporate website, you can sign up for the old SlimFast plan if you’d rather not download the program. You will receive a quick-start guide and a 7-day meal planner with this plan to assist you in staying on track.
What food is available during Slimfest?
On the Slim Fast diet, there are no off-limits items, but you must watch your calorie intake. You must also keep an eye on your macronutrient intake if you’re on a ketogenic or low-carb diet. Although it is permitted, the diet advises limiting your alcohol consumption.(1)
The diet permits one “reasonable” meal per day, which may contain any food from the “Slim Fast Approved” meal list of your choosing. Depending on the application you are using, these will change.
Depending on the application you select, there may be additional instructions. For instance, the keto diet mandates that you consume a lot of fat and exclusively use Keto Slim Fast items.
The low-carb diet, in contrast, emphasizes the amount of carbohydrates in your meals and enables you to combine SlimFast Advanced Nutrition with keto products.
The most versatile option, which lets you pick any Slim Fast product, is the Favorite Foods plan. As long as the software is running, you can choose any of them, regardless of their original content.
No matter which strategy you pick, you should substitute two meals each day with shakes, smoothies, or other beverages. Slim Fast shakes and smoothies can be purchased in bottles that are already prepared to drink or in powder form. Drinks at bars come in a variety of flavors.
Meal replacement shakes and mixes provide 14 to 20 grams of protein and about 180 calories, while the amount of additional sugar, fiber, and carbohydrates varies depending on the product line.
Similar to that, depending on the product line, meal replacement beverages range from 7 to 15 grams of protein and 180 calories.
The strategy also promotes three daily snacks for companions.
As long as the snack doesn’t contain more than 100 calories and adheres to your program’s macro objectives, you can incorporate Slim Fast products or other foods into these snacks.
Finally, to make it simpler to stick to your diet, the Slim Fast app offers a meal planning tool and many recipes for your meals.
Sample meal plan
Sample meal plans are available on the SlimFast website and the SlimFast Together mobile app. A typical day of eating for each plan is shown below.
Sample meal plan of favorite foods
- Breakfast: Slim Fast food
- Snack: banana
- Lunch: Fast food bar
- Snack: 3 cups (24 grams) of air-popped popcorn
- Dinner: Chicken Tikka Masala
- Snack: Slim Fast, a tiny snack bar with double mint chocolate
Sample low carb diet plan
- Breakfast: Grilled vegetable omelet
- Snack: half a cup (143 grams) of Greek yogurt
- Lunch: Sleek and fast food
- Snack: 1 piece of cheese
- Dinner: Snack bars for rapid weight loss in diabetics
- Snacks: Quick weight-loss foods for people with diabetes
Sample keto diet
- Breakfast: fast and slim keto food
- Snack: SlimFast Keto Fat Bomb, real cheddar cheese
- Lunch: SlimFast Keto Fat Bomb Meal Bar
- Snack: cooked pumpkin khagine
- Dinner: Baked salmon with lemon butter and steamed asparagus
- Snack: SlimFast Keto Fat Bomb chocolate almond snack
This program advises men to double their meal replacement or add 200 calories to each Slim Fast meal.
What is the price of Slimfest?
The goods you use, how much of them you use, and whether or not you buy them in bulk all affect the price of the Slim Fast diet. The cost of popular Slim Fast items is shown below.
- Meal Replacement Shakes: $99 for a 4-pack or $91.96 for a 4-pack of 12 shakes (48 bottles total)
- Meal Replacement Bars (excluding Keto Bomb Bars): $99 for a 5-pack or $39.96 for a 4-pack of 5 bars (total of 20 bars)
- Slim Fast Shake Mixes: $9.99 for a 14-serving (12.83-ounce) container or $12.99 for a 22-serving (20.18-ounce) container
The Slim Fast shake mixes are typically the most affordable options for meal replacements; depending on the size you choose, the price per serving ranges from $0.59 to $0.72.
Also available are 14-day starting packages. The 14-day starter kit costs $89.99, which is more expensive than the popular and low-consumption 14-day kits, which are available for $69.99.
These kits range in price from $5.00 to $6.42 a day (tax excluded) and come with two meal replacements and three snacks each.
This sum is equivalent to $140 for at least a month. Remember that the price of your lunch is not included in this sum. Making some of your own snacks rather than purchasing pre-made snacks can help you save money.
Does Slim Fast work to help you lose weight?
By lowering your caloric intake and creating a calorie deficit—that is, burning more calories than you take in—the Slim Fast diet can aid in weight loss.
Only 1,200 calories will be consumed per day if you carefully follow the program’s instructions. You will have a deficit of at least 800 calories if you consider that the typical, moderately active lady needs roughly 2,000 calories per day.
Guys can have a calorie deficit of 800 to 1,400 calories per day since Slim Fast advises guys to consume around 1,600 calories per day. Older research on Slim Fast products indicates that it might indeed result in weight loss.
However, the majority of research on Slim Fast is older, which may be a result of the rising popularity of initiatives that support long-term weight loss.
For instance, a 2006 study that included 293 individuals with a BMI between 27 and 40 assessed the efficacy of four well-known diet plans, including Slim Fast, over the course of six months.
According to this study, after six months, participants in the Slim Fast group had lost an average of 10.5 pounds (8.8 kg), or 4.9 percent of their body weight.
Only nine out of the original 58 participants were able to stick with the diet for the whole 12 months, and 29% of participants left the research because they were unable to tolerate the diet. This shows that long-term adherence to meal replacement plans like Slim Fast may be challenging.
Furthermore, despite being able to support temporary weight reduction, Slim Fast is not considerably more effective than rival programs in terms of weight loss, according to two assessments of meal replacement firms and well-known weight loss programs.
Meal replacement products may be useful for achieving a caloric deficit, according to a recent review from 2019, but they must be used in conjunction with other behavioral techniques, including counseling, learning about diet, and boosting self-efficacy.
Similar to this, a 2018 study evaluated the results of nutritional interventions that addressed both internal and external impacts on food choices, behavioral treatment combined with the Slim Fast meal replacement, and a comprehensive nutritional intervention.
The extensive nutrition intervention produced the highest weight loss at the end of the research. Greater cognitive limitations, self-control abilities, and self-efficacy, all of which are crucial for long-term weight loss, according to the authors, may be the cause of this.
The SlimFast Together app does not offer one-on-one counseling, but it does give some basic tools for meal planning and tracking success.
Additionally, it largely focuses on Slim Fast items rather than promoting healthy behaviors like learning to plan and prepare each meal and reading nutrition labels.
Therefore, it appears that taking Slim Fast products can aid in your short-term weight loss, but there is a great likelihood that you will gain it all back once you stop the program.
Possibilities of Slim Fast
The Slim Fast diet provides a lot of advantages.
1- Easy to understand
Unlike many other diets, Slim Fast delivers the majority of your meals, and since they don’t need to be prepared, it’s simple to stick to.
Additionally, you don’t have to worry about portion control or overeating because Slim Fast meal replacements are prepared. Additionally, the Slim Fast app provides straightforward recipes and aids in organization.
2. Convenience
You simply need to cook one meal per day rather than multiple ones. Slim Fast provides straightforward, pre-approved recipes to make things simpler for you. Additionally, Slim Fast products are appropriate for travelers who lack the time to prepare meals.
3. Encourage other wholesome practices.
The new Slim Fast app has helpful features for tracking good lifestyle practices, including exercise, stress management, and healthy eating.
Despite the fact that SlimFest does not provide tailored recommendations, this new plugin can support users in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Potential drawbacks
The Slim Fast diet has various drawbacks that should be taken into account despite its advantages.
1. A thorough strategy that works for everyone
The slender diet’s complete approach is one of its key drawbacks. Slim Fast diet makes the erroneous assumption that regardless of height, weight, activity level, age, and other variables that may alter the daily calorie and nutrient requirements, everyone needs the same number of calories.
The caloric goals of 1,200 to 1,300 calories for women and 1,600 to 1,700 calories for men are the main focus of all four regimens.
2. Foods with a lot of processing
The healthiest diet consists primarily of whole, minimally processed foods rich in fiber, protein, healthy fats, and antioxidant-rich plant components.
However, the majority of Slim Fast products are highly processed and include a long list of chemicals, including extra sugar, protein powders, and artificial flavors, colors, and sweeteners.
3. A lack of choice for various dietary requirements
Since milk is the primary ingredient in the majority of Slim Fast products, vegetarians and others who want to avoid dairy have no other options. It is best to pay attention to the list of each food item if you have a food allergy.
Also bear in mind that packaged Slim Fast items might not be safe for you if you have allergies or severe food intolerances because these products may be produced in facilities that control for common allergens.
4- You likely feel constrained.
Despite allowing one meal of your choosing each day, the diet is still highly limiting. You should still control your weight and calorie intake, even if you can eat as much as you like for one meal. That doesn’t leave many people with much room for the foods they like.
Furthermore, you are only permitted to replace meals for the remainder of the day if you choose to eat your “reasonable” meal in the morning. It might be quite constrictive and too rigid for daily life.
5- Lack of attention to behavior change
The Slim Fast diet places more emphasis on counting calories than it does on encouraging participants to develop long-lasting, healthy habits like cooking at home, eating slowly, and reading nutrition labels.
The program still relies on using items to replace two or more meals and snacks per day, even if the Slim Fast app offers resources like progress tracking, blog postings, and recipe suggestions.
As a result, it is doubtful that you will form enduring habits, and if you decide to stop dieting, you might return to your previous patterns.
6- Foods with fewer calories
Around 180 calories are found in most meals, which is insufficient to substitute a meal. Two meals and three snacks totaling 100 calories each per day work out to around 660 calories from Slim Fast products.
Thus, 540 calories are left over for your lunch, which means that one meal per day accounts for 45% of your daily caloric intake. Finally, these meals might not include enough calories, which would leave you feeling hungry all day.
Reviews from customers and brand reputation
Since 1977, Slimfest has existed and grown to become a well-known name in the weight loss industry. Glanbia is the current owner of Slimfest, which has its headquarters in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
The business currently has a B+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and has never been issued a warning by the FDA or FTC. There is no return or exchange policy listed on the company’s website, although it does post contact information.
Although the brand has previously been the target of litigation, none has recently included it as a defendant. Although the current and previous owners of the business (Glanbia, Unilever, and Nutrisystem) have been associated with legal matters unrelated to the Slim Fast name or its goods, Because SlimFest has never been known to engage in unethical business tactics, the company passed Healthline’s thorough screening procedure.
A few SlimFast products, notably SlimFast Advanced Energy Replacement Shakes, were not approved owing to inflated marketing, which made unfounded claims that the items could stop “cravings” and “hunger.”
On independent retail websites, Slim Fast goods often obtain an average rating of 4 out of 5. This demonstrates that users of Slim Fast products typically find them enjoyable.
Must you attend SlimFest?
Diets that are accessible, pleasurable, and long-lasting are the finest. While the Slim Fast diet may aid in weight loss, the items are pricey, heavily processed, and do not have enough calories to serve as a meal replacement.
Furthermore, the Slim Fast diet doesn’t assist you or give you knowledge to help you manage your weight after you stop using it. As a result, you can become dependent on Slim Fast products or gain some of the weight you lost when using the program back.
It is preferable to concentrate on healthy lifestyle modifications that promote slow and long-lasting weight loss, such as consistent exercise and the consumption of whole foods and processed meals high in protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
It is important to speak with a nutritionist if you want to lose weight or review specialized dietary advice.
substitutes for SlimFest
There are several meal planning and delivery services that offer wholesome or partially prepared meals that are still convenient and can support better eating and portion control if you wish to manage your weight in a more long-term manner. do, such as:
- The meal planning app PlateJoy provides individualized, unique meal plans created by licensed dietitians. Your meal plan can be created to meet your individual requirements, dietary requirements, and lifestyle objectives.
- You can make wholesome and delectable foods with the help of the weekly meal kit boxes that come with recipe cards and premeasured materials. Additionally, this service accommodates various dietary requirements and preferences.
- Everyday Harvest The most practical breakfast and snack options are provided by Daily Harvest, including smoothies, bowls of oats, and portions of unprocessed, natural foods.
- If you’re seeking microwave-ready single-serve meals, Factor is the best option. dishes that take little time to prepare. Factor is made for active folks who need a quick and simple supper.
last word
The Slim Fast diet, often known as the Slim Fast 1-2-3 program or just the SlimFast program, is a well-liked weight-loss regimen despite its many drawbacks.
Because you’re consuming fewer calories when you adhere to one of SlimFast’s 1-2-3 programs (main foods, favorites, keto, or low-carb), you can experience temporary weight loss. However, the majority of research indicates that diets like Slim Fast cannot be maintained.
The Slim Fast diet also uses a lot of highly processed meal replacements and doesn’t show consumers how to keep their weight off once they quit following the plan. In conclusion, it may be wiser to forgo the Slim Fast diet.
Frequently asked questions
Is Slim Fast a reliable method for weight loss?
Using Slim Fast products can help you lose weight quickly, but after you stop the program, you’ll probably gain it all back. That’s because the business is unable to impart sustainable behaviors like meal planning, grocery shopping, and meal preparation.
As a result, you may rely on certified goods and instructions to keep the weight off. This approach can be challenging because it is expensive and contains very few calories.
How much weight can you lose using Slim Fast in a week?
The amount of your calorie deficit and the number of calories you burn off through exercise determine how much weight you lose on Slim Fast.
According to research on Slim Fast, participants dropped an average of 10.5 pounds (8.8 kg) over the course of six months, or 2.5 pounds (11.1 kg) per week. Although the participants stuck to their diet for a long time, maintaining this weight loss may be challenging.
Most experts concur that most people can sustainably lose 1 to 2 pounds (0.45–0.9 kg) every week as long as they don’t feel deprived and can eat a range of meals.
Can you gain weight using Slim Fast?
Slim Fast items by themselves won’t cause you to gain weight, but if you regularly consume more calories than you burn off each day, you will.