Pros and Cons of the Slim Fast Diet

Slim Fast is still considered one of the most popular diet plans. But does this diet actually work, and is it even considered healthy?

Function

• The Slim Fast Diet works by substituting two daily meals with diet shakes. Most people on Slim Fast have a shake for breakfast and lunch, and then eat a healthy meal for dinner.

Features

• The Slim Fast Diet shakes are loaded with vitamins and minerals. However, they do lack the antioxidants you get from actual food. This is a disadvantage, because antioxidants are proven to help prevent many types of chronic diseases.

Effects

• If you follow it, the Slim Fast Diet will likely work for you--for the short term. In other words, how long do you want to be sipping shakes instead of eating two of your meals?

Considerations

• Many people also consider the Slim Fast diet a poor choice because it lacks a support system, unlike programs like Weight Watchers. If you are a self-disciplined person, however, it may work well for you.

Prevention/Solution

• If that high school reunion or wedding is coming up and you want to lose weight rapidly, the Slim Fast diet may be a good bet. However, for many, it does not translate well into long-term use.

Expert Insight

• Most nutritionists take a dim view of diets like Slim Fast because they greatly restrict calorie intake, which actually slows your metabolism over time and makes you gain weight more easily. The overwhelming majority of nutritionists instead advocate eating a balanced diet and exercising at least four times a week to lose weight--and keep it off.