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MEAL REPLACEMENTS

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Slim Fast Diet Reviews

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Tried and Tasted

 

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.

 

 

 

You can use the food diary in WLR to calorie count your daily food intake. Try it Free for 24 hours

More Info

Meal Replacement Diets - dietitian's report

Slim Fast Diet Reviews - WLR members

 

 

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Published: 20/12/2007

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