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Slim-Fast

Slim Fast Exposed 2024 [MUST READ] - Does It Really Work?

Want to lose weight but not sure where to start? Here's one of diet convenience mainstays.

Top Rated Diet Shakes of 2024
What is it?

Slim Fast is a meal replacement shake said to be clinically supported to help keep weight off. It’s offered in 4 distinct flavors including creamy chocolate, strawberries & cream, vanilla cream, and caramel latte.

It’s said to help control hunger for a total of 4 hours, and it’s made with 20 grams of protein and just 1 gram of sugar. This ready to drink shake is made without any gluten or lactose, and the company offers it in many retail stores. Is this meal replacement a good option for weight loss? What kinds of effects are customers experiencing? In this full review you’ll see what Slim Fast truly has to offer. Discover the top 10 diet shakes by clicking here.

Do You Know the Best Diet Shakes of 2024?

Slim Fast Ingredients and Side Effects

Here are the ingredients to their creamy chocolate flavor:

Water

Calcium Caseinate

Milk Protein Concentrate

Canola Oil

Cocoa processed with Alkali

Maltodextrin

Cellulose Gel

Natural and Artificial Flavors

Potassium Phosphate

Mono and Diglycerides

Glycerin

Potassium Citrate

Salt

Soy Lecithin

Sucralose

Carrageenan

Sodium Citrate

Citric Acid

Caramel Color

Magnesium Phosphate

Sodium Ascorbate

Calcium Phosphate

Vitamin E Acetate

Zinc Gluconate

Ferric Orthophosphate

Niacinamide

Calcium Pantothenate

Manganese Sulfate

Vitamin A Palminate

Pyridoxine Hydrochloride

Thiamin Mononitrate

Riboflavin

Chromium Chloride

Folic Acid

Biotin

Sodium Molybdate

Potassium Iodide

Phylloquinone

Sodium Selenite

Cholecalciferol

Sweetened with non- nutritive sweetener

 

Milk Protein Concentrate:  A processed form of milk protein that loses its minerals and liquid. It’s spray dried and treated as a cheap and longer lasting alternative to regular milk. 

This ingredient has been used controversially, since around 70% of it is imported from countries with different safety standards.

The Food and Water Watch group has released a statement on this ingredients lack of safety:

“MPC’S are largely unregulated”

There are concerns of this ingredient being contaminated with melamine. This ingredient is considered harmful if swallowed, and it’s also known to irritate the skin.

It's believed that pasteurization is able to kill contaminants; this is why the FDA allows this ingredient to be imported in. Though the Food and Water Watch Group argues this isn’t enough, and that things like melamine are still found and cannot be pasteurized away.

Potassium Phosphate: Typically given as a medication to help balance out the amount of calcium that’s in the body. It makes urine more acidic and is used to help prevent kidney stones.

Possible side effects may include:

  •  Headaches and dizziness.
  •  Nausea and vomiting.
  •  Diarrhea.

Sucralose: A non-caloric artificial sweetener that is up to 1,000 times sweeter than average sucrose.

The Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health did a study on rats. They found many damaging effects including:

“increased fecal pH and enhanced the expression of P-gp”

“exerted numerous adverse effects, including reduction in beneficial microflora”

Damaged microflora can have serious health consequences, such as reduced immune function and increased inflammation. It’s also known to cause symptoms of depression.

P-gp or glycoprotein is a found in the cells membrane, and it makes sure that any potential contaminants are filtered out of the body. So according to this study, sucralose is considered a toxic ingredient when in the body.

Carrageenan: Thickener and binder found in red seaweed.

A study on mice showed that this ingredient could cause tumors. The Cancer Letters published a clinical study that showed major damage:

“degraded carrageenan is carcinogenic to the colorectum of the rat”

This effect was seen in just small doses of this ingredient.

Artificial Flavors: A man made synthetic ingredient used to mimic the taste of real flavors. It can be made from many different foods and it’s unknown where Slim Fast sources their ingredient from.

This ingredient is a cheaper alternative to more wholesome and real additives.

Caramel Color: A food coloring made from treated carbohydrates.

It can be extracted from many common allergens, though it’s unknown where Slim Fast sources this ingredient from.

This is a highly processed ingredient that is specially treated in order to provide a color to drinks.

Slim Fast Quality Of Ingredients

When judging a meal replacement shakes, it’s important to look at the quality of the sweeteners and protein. The protein added to Slim Fast comes from cheap sources in milk protein concentrate and calcium caseinate.

Milk protein concentrate in particular has been shown to be heavily processed and potentially contaminated.

The added sweeteners sucralose and a nonnutritive sweetener which is never explained are also added. Though sucralose provides just 1 gram of sugar to this mixture, it’s been shown in studies to cause tumors. It also is treated as a toxin within the body, according to respected clinical studies.

There’s also a total of 180 calories added, which is exceptionally higher than other meal replacements. When looking to lose weight, it’s important to keep calories as low as possible in order to prevent weight gain.

Overall, the quality of ingredients is poor. There are artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners, and cheap protein added. In this top 10 list are the very best meal replacements.

EDITOR’S TIP: Combine this supplement with a proven meal replacement such as 18Shake for better results.

The Price and Quality of Slim Fast

No official price is set by the manufacturers, but they do offer an interactive map showing the approved vendors.

An 8 pack of their chocolate sells for $14.16 on their Amazon.com page.

Since each shake is a full serving, around a month’s supply or a 32 day serving would be $113.28, if taken twice a day.

This is expensive for what are a cheap protein, and a blend of artificial ingredients. Though the sugar is low and the protein and fiber is high, it’s important to look at the ingredients to help determine the overall quality.

Too many artificial ingredients are added to suggest this would be a good brand to replace a meal.

There’s also no listing of the amino acid profile, so it’s unknown how well rounded the protein is. Amino acids are important since they provide support for many important body functions.

The company makes suggestions that up to 4 hours of appetite suppression are possible. They fail to offer any proof of these claims. It’s unknown if this is backed by any real studies, or it it’s a suggested number.

There was an issue with contamination in the past. The Associated Press reports:

“recalled all canned Slim Fast drinks because of the possibility of bacterial contamination”

“could cause diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting”

This 2024 recall was approved for all cans of Slim Fast, and it’s unknown exactly how this contamination was started. The manufacturers failed to provide any evidence that this issue wouldn’t happen again.

Business of Slim Fast

Information on the company practices aren’t explained on the official website.

The company name is also called Slim Fast. Here is their listed contact information:

Phone Number: (800) 754-6327

There are currently a total of 39 negative reviews against the company on their Consumer Affairs listing. This is due to their changed formula which sells for more but it’s offered in smaller portions. Also, people were disappointed with the lack of customer support.

EDITOR’S TIP: For the best results with meal replacement shakes diet our experts recommend to use it at least 5 months. Save your money buying a few bags of meal replacement product.

Customer Opinions of Slim Fast

Many reviews are available online, here’s what a few customers have had to say:

“my stomach began to get bigger”

“seems like it put weight on me”

“tastes like your generic, low-calorie protein shale”

“didn’t find this had the “four hour hunger control” it claims to have”

People mentioned how the taste was terribly artificial, and that it was hard to drink each bottle.

Weight loss was also missing for some customers, while others added how they actually gained weight even with diet and exercise.

Some side effects were also listed including nausea and ill feelings.

Appetite suppression was also lacking. For many customers, there was a lack of any benefits in drinking these shakes.  The best options for weight loss are found in this top 10 list of meal replacements.

Conclusion - Does Slim Fast Work?

When making a decision on Slim Fast, it’s important to look past the supplements facts label. Though this shake does have a high amount of protein and fiber, as well as low sugar and lots of vitamins and minerals, it’s what’s truly inside what counts.

This shake has a combination of artificial sweeteners, artificial flavors, and a high amount of calories which might make weight loss harder. That’s why so many customers have mentioned that they not only failed to lose weight, but some actually increased in size.

This shake also uses a cheap protein source, with ingredients like sucralose which have been shown to cause tumors in clinical studies. Much better solutions exists which are made only with all natural and wholesome ingredients.

The very best meal replacement of 2024 offering all the necessary criteria for weight loss is 18Shake. This meal replacement has a high quality mixture of whey protein which is easy to digest, and well balanced in amino acids. It’s also made with a high amount of fiber, and low sugar. That’s why so many users have mentioned it’s a great solution for weight loss. You can find these impressive testimonials on their official website.

18Shake  also has no binders, fillers, or artificial ingredients. All you get is a high quality formula made to help suppress appetite and increase weight loss. It’s even backed by a great 30 day money back guarantee. That’s why so many users keep coming back to this comprehensive meal replacement.

How Does Slim-Fast Compare?
  • Product Name
  • User Rating
  • Has Good Appetite Suppressant
  • Has Only Natural Components
  • Good Taste
  • Slim-Fast
  • 27 /100
  • .

> Leave Feedback

User Feedback

(Page 4 of 7, 127 total comments)


apauley87

-

Gave me stomach aches

posted Jan 13th, 2009 12:55 pm

Tammi Nickerson

+

I loved how yummy it was. It really filled me up well. I lost 40 lbs with it! I still have a shake (Milk chocolate SF powder mixed with skim milk) just about every morning. Sooo good!

posted Dec 3rd, 2008 9:10 am

Crystal

+

I am going to try it!

posted Nov 13th, 2008 5:17 pm

Fried Chicken

-

this is dum. i like chicken not shakes!

posted Nov 6th, 2008 3:56 pm

Katie

Would LOVE it if Slim Fast would go back to making a shake mix that contains NO aspartame (or sucralose, for that matter). Used to like Slim Fast in the 'old days,' but I'm allergic to aspartame, so I can't even try it.

posted Sep 16th, 2008 11:07 pm

Debbie

I have a healthier alternative to Steve S's "orange delight" (which is filled with Slim Fast's sugar & calories). Try the Body Wise vanilla shake mix blended with the orange mix, water, and ice. Tastes like a Dreamsicle! Has 20 grams of protein, branched chain amino acids, only 130 calories, 5 carbs, and NO sugar. I have lost weight and kept it off. Plus, the Body Wise chocolate is awesome. Body Wise is terrific for diabetics, lactose intolerant, and is gluten and wheat free. Compared to 24 grams of carbs in the Slim-Fast, it only has 5!! Awesome!

posted Aug 17th, 2008 11:12 pm

amy

hi am 16 am not fat but like to losse mi legs been duin it for bout 3 days they ar fabulousely gorgus yes n i do eat a meal xx

posted Aug 5th, 2008 8:54 am

Steve S

First, buy a MagicBullet! Next get some banana's and take them out of the peals, break them in half and put them into a ziplock baggie then freeze. Buy (from Walmart) a box of suger free orange drink mix. It's best to get the individual packages, the ones that you pour into a 16 oz. bottle of water. Next grab the largest magicbullet container, pour in a really chilled French Vanilla SlimFast, then put in 2 peices of banana and 5 tablespoons of oats. Next put in about 1/2 of the orange drink mix, more if you want more orange flavor. Put in ice cubes to bring the level almost to the top, then screw on the blade. Make sure you use the one the sticks up. Then let it run for about 1 to 2 minutes until there is no more crunching sound. Remove the blade and put on the rim ring and grab a straw. You are about to enjoy a totally awesome meal replacement shake. Enjoy. I will post more as I test other flavors.

posted Jun 29th, 2008 5:47 pm

Jen

what happened to the chocolate malt powder mix? It was really the only one that I liked.

posted Jun 27th, 2008 8:10 am

Moj

I used sf a few years ago for several months and lost 50lbs. Gradually I regained 30lbs and am now doing sf again. I love the powder/chocolate shakes the best, with ice. They take care of my sweet tooth and usually fill me up. If I still feel hungry I have some fruit or a salad. Im very happy with the product and am disappointed in myself that I let myself get off track again. But.. I now know there's a tastey diet aid and a healthy eating program to go with it.

posted Jun 26th, 2008 8:29 am

Sylvia

I really loved the dark chocolate fudge but it was discontinued. I have been drinking Slim Fast for years and like it but would love to have my dark chocolate back.

posted Jun 18th, 2008 10:23 am

Mike

I am lactose intolerant so I used to like drinking the soy shakes that you just mix with water but they stopped selling those where I live. I have to settle with the regular chocolate, vanilla and strawberry shakes but they are so good, I don't care about the lactose issues I end up having. The Optima shakes make me so full I feel like I just overate. I don't care if I have to be on a liquid diet, I just want to lose this weight.

posted Jun 15th, 2008 2:33 pm

Jessica

I am actually drinking my first slimfast right now. It taste better than I thought it would. My boyfriend likes to drink them before work. I just don't like the fact it comes in a soup type can. I feel like it makes it seem like it never goes bad. I wish they would find a new way to package the shakes. Other than that I think that its a great option for someone trying to lose some weight.

posted Jun 3rd, 2008 10:28 pm

Debbie

I study nutrition. Believe me . . . the Body Wise skakes are far superior nutritionally to SlimFast. I have clients losing 15 lbs per month. Only 5 carbs, less than 1 gram of sugar, 130 calories per shake. It is great for diabetics, and has no wheat or gluten. Taste is to die for! It is also great for weight maintenance; can be used for a lifetime. I am a good example---16 years on it; 57 years old; no menopausal weight gain! [email protected]

posted Jun 3rd, 2008 1:01 pm

Gill

Slim Fast is great! I have been on the plateau for 3 wks. without losing a pound on my fsih & rice diet, so I decided to go for the Slim Fast plan. I'm out of the plateau and already lost 2 lbs. on the first day. More pounds shedding are expected. But when is your webite coming up again?? It's been a month now that it's out of service!!

posted May 31st, 2008 4:50 pm

Alicia

I've just started this diet and I'll just tell you that the strawberry one, I thought, was nasty! I was skeptical to try another, but tried the royal chocolate shake. It is DELICIOUS! I'm not much of a chocolate milk kinda person, but it's tasty. Can't say that I've lost weight from it yet, but I just started it so I can't say to much.

posted May 30th, 2008 8:40 am

Jewel

I have been doing the slim fast shakes but make a smoothie with it. In a blender I add a few strawberries, crushed ice, sugarfree lemonade, along with a banana. It keeps me full for several hours. I have lost five pounds since I started two weeks ago in addition to my walking.

posted May 24th, 2008 9:20 pm

kate

i started yesterday, seem to be going rather well. i weigh 10st 13pounds and am 5ft 5. I want to get down to a flat 10st. am going to try this product for 2 weeks and if i havent lost atleast 5 pounds am comming off. i do love my food :( . just keep thinking about the summer and the little clothes, thats what keeps me going. il keep you posted!

posted May 22nd, 2008 11:50 am

Debbie

The Slim Fast shakes are not that healthy---sugar calories!! I found a superior product called Body Wise that tastes SO much better with less than 1 gram of sugar (uses Mung Bean to sweeten). Plus it is loaded with 20 grams of high quality protein, inulin, nutrients, and is VERY filling . They don't advertise so email me at [email protected] and I tell you how to get it.

posted May 19th, 2008 11:50 am

Ashley

If you blend the shakes with ice they fill you up longer and they are more like a shake. Out of all the diets I've tried (which is ALOT) I have been the most successful with Slim Fast

posted May 15th, 2008 9:44 am


 

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QUICK FACTSQUICK FACTS Start the Diet Now Advertisement
  • Established: 1977
  • Founder: Daniel Abraham
  • Headquarters: Unilever in Unilever House, London
  • Stock Symbol: UL
  • Accessibility: Retailers and drug stores
  • Diet Type: Meal replacement through shakes, bars and snacks
  • Gender: Male, female

Do You Know the Best Diet Shakes of 2024?

BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND

Slim-Fast made its name with meal-replacement shakes. But today it has expanded into a complete weight loss plan complete with an array of products and an organized weight loss plan.

By lending convenience and simplicity to its dieters lives, it has grown its product offering to include bars, snacks, smoothies, as well as a meal plan called Slim-Fast Optima, which provides a healthy combination of complex carbs, protein and healthier fats. For those watching their carb intake, there is a low-carb option and a low-sugar option.

The Slim-Fast plan offers 100 percent of the nutrients your body requires and typically has women consuming 1,200 calories daily. Weight loss is supported by the low-caloric intake. The Slim-Fast plan allows you to use both their products and your choice of nutritious foods to promote healthy weight loss.

Slim-Fast outlines a four-step approach to weight loss: Portion control, sensible eating, regular physical activity, and support.

By sticking to the plan, you can lose 10% of your body weight in the first six months at a rate of one to two pounds a week.

PROPRO
  • Convenience of food products for people on the go
  • Variety of flavors to choose from
  • Realize actual weight loss
  • Calorie intake isn't unsafe
  • Named #3 in the Best Commercial Diets by US News, 2011
CONCON
  • As with all packaged food plans, the cost will be more than if you prepare all of your own meals
  • Contains aspartame
DIET and NUTRITIONDIET and NUTRITION

There are a variety of ways to mix-and-match the Slim-Fast foods with your food choices. The Slim-Fast plan involves six small meals/snacks every day. You are advised to use Slim-Fast products for two meals and one snack daily.

The rest of the day, you're on your own to choose healthy meals when eating out or cooking at home. No calorie counting is necessary and no foods are forbidden; you can still eat your favorites. However, lean protein, fruits, and vegetables are emphasized.

Their meal plan might look like this:

  • Breakfast is a Slim-Fast Smoothie with six ounces of fat-free yogurt.

  • Lunch is a Slim-Fast Shake or Bar, in addition to a whole-wheat english muffin topped with marinara and low-fat mozzarella.

  • Dinner will be your one meal with no more than 500 calories. For dinner, divide your plate in fourths- half should be vegetables, one-quarter protein and one-quarter starch, along with a salad or fruit.

While following the Slim-Fast plan, be sure to drink plenty of water and commit to regular exercise.

EXERCISEEXERCISE

The Slim-Fast website has a thorough exercise support system that you can customize to your needs and desires.

It is recommended that you exercise 30 minutes a day to receive optimal results.

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

Slim-Fast is one of the "veterans" in the prepackaged weight loss solution arena. They're popularly known for their meal replacement shakes, but that doesn't mean you are restricted to a liquid diet. Mix and match their products with regularly prepared healthy food, and busy people like you can find healthy weight loss success.

Common MisspellingsCommon Misspellings

slimfast, slim fast, Slim faster, Slim fast deit, Slim fast deit

Slim Fast Video ReviewSlim Fast Video Review

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