Slim Fast Products

It has long been a staple of science fiction to replace a complete meal with a single pill, shake or bar. But how close are we to having a truly satisfying meal replacement we can believe in?

The WLR Taste Team set out on another voyage of discovery with the market leader, Slim Fast

Bars

Chocolate Crunch Meal Bar

The powers of chocolate were too strong to resist for the team (as usual). Although not tasting like conventional chocolate there was enough here for a comfortable first place.

	Per 60g Bar	Per 100g
CALORIES	215kcal	359kcal
CARBS	28.7g	47.8g
FAT	6.2g	10.3g
SODIUM	0.2g	0.4g
PROTEIN	14.0g	23.4g
FIBRE	4.0g	6.7g

Fruits of the Forest Meal Bar

Starts off mild-mannered and fruity but hides a very sweet punch. A bit stodgy and chewy for some but still a reliable ally against hunger.

	Per 60g Bar	Per 100g
CALORIES	225kcal	375kcal
CARBS	29.0g	48.4g
FAT	5.9g	9.9g
SODIUM	0.2g	0.4g
PROTEIN	14.4g	24.0g
FIBRE	4.0g	6.7g

Yogurt Muesli Meal Bar

Not much like a traditional muesli and seeming more "white chocolate" than "yogurt". Definitely more "third place" than "loser" this can still be your saviour for a breakfast on the move.

	Per 60g Bar	Per 100g
CALORIES	221kcal	368kcal
CARBS	27.7g	46.2g
FAT	7.0g	11.7g
SODIUM	0.2g	0.4g
PROTEIN	14.4g	24.0g
FIBRE	4.0g	6.7g

Soups

Seasoned Chicken Soup with Sweetcorn and Croutons

Being from the meal replacement and not the snack range this clearly had more calorie firepower to work with. An off-putting smell for some but otherwise "very drinkable". There were doubts over whether it could fill you up as a whole meal.

	Per 59.5g + 250ml Water	Per 100g Powder
CALORIES	222kcal	371kcal
CARBS	25.4g	42.7g
FAT	6.7g	11.3g
SODIUM	1.3g	2.2g
PROTEIN	14.3g	24.0g
FIBRE	4.1g	6.9g

Tomato & Vegetable Soup Delight

Living up to its low cal claims and putting up a good fight but the team found it a little watery and lacking in taste.

	Per 250ml	Per 100ml
CALORIES	40kcal	16kcal
CARBS	5.2g	2.1g
FAT	1.2g	0.5g
SODIUM	0.6g	0.3g
PROTEIN	2.0g	0.8g
FIBRE	3.3g	1.3g

Shakes

Chocolate Shake (Ready to Drink)

Again, the chocolate was the hero. Despite seeming a little watery the tasters knew who to call.

	Per 325ml Can	Per 100ml
CALORIES	217kcal	67kcal
CARBS	34.5g	10.6g
FAT	2.7g	0.8g
SODIUM	0.2g	0.06g
PROTEIN	13.7g	4.2g
FIBRE	5.9g	1.8g

Vanilla Shake (Ready to Drink)

The "weak custard" drink was surprisingly easy to drink. Nothing out of this world but it can more than hold its own as a flavour.

	Per 325ml Can	Per 100ml
CALORIES	216kcal	66kcal
CARBS	34.5g	10.6g
FAT	2.6g	0.8g
SODIUM	0.2g	0.06g
PROTEIN	13.7g	4.2g
FIBRE	4.9g	1.5g

Strawberry Shake (from powder)

Powdery, and "blancmangey" proof that made-up shakes need some careful preparation to rival their canned sidekicks. Levitated above last place on nutrient content alone.

	Per 36.5g + 250ml Skimmed Milk	Per 100g Powder
CALORIES	215kcal	353kcal
CARBS	34.3g	60.1g
FAT	2.6g	6.6g
SODIUM	0.2g	0.3g
PROTEIN	13.7g	13.5g
FIBRE	4.1g	11.1g

Slim-Fast Plan

An elite group of tasters forwent their usual (yet healthy) meals to boldly take the Slim-Fast meal replacement plan challenge. There were mixed results; with some feeling frequently hungry, up to those who could easily last to the next meal. It seems having the bars for breakfast gives you a better chance of a successful day than the shakes. It may be difficult for some to just have a drink for breakfast whilst watching other people in the household eating a full English. Plus there was a definite feeling of missing "real" food. On the other hand it was that it's possible to make it through the day.

Conclusion

With most of the contenders equally matched on paper these tests would come down to flavour power. And with their not-so-secret cocoa weapons the two chocolate products ran away with this one. The bars require quite an effort to bite and chew; your mouth certainly gets a workout here. The shakes can seem thin and "powdery" and "just don't feel like a meal". The bars and soups destroyed the shakes in both taste and in satisfying hunger. With the soups just edging out bars for top spot. The soup (and especially the pasta) options seemed very elusive to our shopping team. Watch this space for a sequel should we encounter more from either range or if a rival mounts and attack on Slim Fast's crown.

Since Slim-Fast meal replacement plan is based on a calorie counting principle it could be useful to kick-start a weight loss and can fit into a Weight Loss Resources day. In the long term, though, it may not provide enough good quality nutrients. Reactions to the plan vary person to person. You may need to try it first to see if it suits you. The truth is out there.

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