Slim-Fast beverages and other products have been marketed as weight loss aides for 30 years. More recently, Slim-fast has designed a consumer calorie-controlled program in which its products are the staples of this diet plan.

Diet Claims:
The Slim-Fast program focuses on the following four components to promote 1-2 pound per week weight loss:

1. Nutritious, reduced-calorie meal plan (1200-1800 calories/day).
   • Slim-Fast products are staples of breakfast and lunch; dinner is a nutritionally balanced, 500-calorie meal.
   • Promotes 3-5 servings fruits & vegetables daily.
   • 120-calorie or less snacks are allowed.
   • Portion-control, avoidance of sugary or fatty foods and frequent water consumption are encouraged.
2. Individualized exercise program
   • 30-60 minutes of moderate physical activity daily is recommended.
3. Support and advice
   • Online or phone support is offered by Slim-Fast staff registered dietitians.
   • Dieters are encouraged to seek help from family, friends and other dieters to strengthen their compliance to weight loss regimen.
4. Self-monitoring
   • Dieters are expected to track food intake, physical activity and weight changes via online Slim-Fast tools.

Weight Loss Promise:
A 1-2 pound weight loss per week is expected.

Foods Allowed:
Slim-Fast products, vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, low-fat cheese, whole grains, salad, water and other non-calorie beverages.

Foods Restricted:
Regular candy, cookies and other sweets, fried or other high fat foods, some dairy products and snack items.

Sample Menu:

Breakfast:
Slim-Fast Meal-On-The-Go drink
1 small apple

Lunch:
Slim-Fast meal replacement bar
1 cup lentil soup
4 whole wheat crackers

Snack
1/2 cup nonfat cottage cheese with 1/2 cup strawberries

Dinner:
4 oz baked white fish
½ cup steamed asparagus
½ cup steamed carrots
½ cup steamed brown rice
2 cups spinach salad with 2 tablespoons nonfat ranch dressing
1 medium pear
Water

Evening Snack:
1 cup nonfat frozen yogurt

Nutrition Analysis of Sample Menu:*

Calories:		1415
Protein:		82 g	22% calories
Total fat:	        26 g	15% calories
Carbohydrate:	        229 g	63% calories
Saturated fat:	        7 g
Cholesterol:	        85 mg
Sodium:		        2693 mg
Fiber:		        28 g

Comments:

• Diet plan capitalizes on the eating habits of breakfast skippers and others who are “too busy” to eat healthy.
• Dieters are expected to purchase Slim-Fast products for their breakfast and lunch meals. This requirement becomes expensive over time, develops dieters’ “burnout” and limits individuals’ ability to select healthy, traditional options such as whole grain cereals, nonfat milk and other nutrient-dense foods.
• The “sensible” dinner meal is the most educational component of the Slim-Fast plan because it teaches dieters about appropriate portions of a moderate-calorie meal.
• Slim-Fast plan may be deficient in calcium, iron, vitamin E and other nutrients. Support such as advice from registered dietitians, food journaling, activity log and other online tools can be useful for dieters.
• Exercise recommendations are consistent with physical activity guidelines established by major US health organizations.
• Research data cited on Slim-Fast web site suggest that this plan can facilitate successful weight loss for up to two years, data beyond that is lacking.

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