Encourages exercise: SlimFast is a proponent of exercise, although no formal program is provided. Some research has shown that exercise combined with meal replacement programs like SlimFast can lead to weight loss. However, these studies typically included guided support or education programs as part of the trial. Clinical Study References: Glucomannan : double blind placebo controlled clinical study on 20 obese subjects (IMC>30) during 8 weeks, Walsh DE et al. Int. Journal of obesity, 1984; 8(4): 289-93; Chitosan: single blind placebo controlled clinical study on 92 overweight and obese subjects (25

Hall KD, Ayuketah A, Brychta R, et al. Ultra-processed diets cause excess calorie intake and weight gain: An inpatient randomized controlled trial of ad libitum food intake. Cell Metab. 2019;30(1):67-77. doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2019.05.008 A person can buy their shakes as mixes or ready-to-drink products. Among the many flavors are strawberry, chocolate, vanilla, and cappuccino. Huerta, S., et al. (2004). Feasibility of a partial meal replacement plan for weight loss in low-income patients. According to a 2003 review of six randomized controlled trials of SlimFast and similar meal replacement programs, these plans can safely and effectively lead to significant, sustainable weight loss. However, several of the researchers involved had affiliations with SlimFast.Disregards portion control: If you reach your goal weight on the SlimFast diet, you're going to have to eventually wean yourself off the program and maintain your weight loss. Because the diet products are already portion-controlled, you may not have the skills you need to make it through this transition without weight regain.

Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. The advocacy group Clean Label Project ran a study published in 2022 that tested 130 popular protein powders. It found that the products tested positive for a wide range of harmful substances, including: A 2021 study suggests that weight loss through calorie restriction can improve insulin sensitivity, which reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

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Traditional methods of weight loss, such as restricting calorie intake or intermittent fasting, may also be effective in the short term. In addition, some research indicates that the SlimFast plan leads to cholesterol changes that may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Risks and disadvantages For the one daily meal, SlimFast recommends allocating half of the plate for vegetables, a quarter of the plate for lean protein, and a quarter of the plate for starches. Easy-to-follow instructions: No foods are off-limits for the sensible meal, and the products are portion-controlled, which makes it easy to follow.

Heymsfield, S. B., et al. (2003). Weight management using a meal replacement strategy: Meta and pooling analysis from six studies. It is important to note that these studies typically involve participants with overweight or obesity. Therefore, it is difficult to know how effective the SlimFast plan might be for people with more moderate weights. Morgan, L. M., et al. (2009). Comparison of the effects of four commercially available weight-loss programmes on lipid-based cardiovascular risk factors [Abstract]. Overall, anyone following a SlimFast plan should drink plenty of water and exercise for 30 minutes a day.One 2018 study found that meal replacement shakes can be a safe, effective way for people with obesity and type 2 diabetes to lose weight and improve their glucose, insulin, and lipid levels. A smaller 2004 study of 63 people with obesity found that following the SlimFast plan for 6 months led to an average 7% body weight loss. Koliaki, C., et al. (2018). Defining the optimal dietary approach for safe, effective and sustainable weight loss in overweight and obese adults.