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

Alternatively... Don't go on a diet.

You can use the tools in Weight Loss Resources to make small changes to your eating habits that will help you lose weight naturally.

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