Nutrition bar (Slim Fast Original Meal Bar)
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
The SlimFast Original Meal Bar is a dense, chewy, rectangular bar with a slightly waxy coating and a sweet, vanilla or chocolate flavor profile, often containing small, crunchy soy crisps. It's engineered as a complete meal replacement, packing a significant 16.19g of protein and 60.21g of carbohydrates into a compact, portable form. Nutritionally, it's a high-energy, portion-controlled option designed to keep you full for hours.
Calorie split: 17% protein · 62% carbs · 21% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love its convenience and reliability as a no-prep meal that fits into a strict diet plan. The sweet, familiar flavors and satisfying chew make it feel less like a diet food and more like a treat.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sugar content (25g per 100g) can cause a rapid blood-sugar spike and subsequent crash, leaving some people hungrier sooner. It contains common allergens like soy and milk, and the processed, fibrous texture isn't for everyone. To mitigate, pair it with a handful of nuts or a piece of fruit to add healthy fats and slow sugar absorption, or use it only as an occasional emergency meal, not a daily staple.
Key benefits
- Provides a complete, calorie-controlled meal in a single, portable bar
- High in protein (16.19g) to support satiety and muscle maintenance
- Fortified with 21 vitamins and minerals for nutritional coverage
- Convenient for busy schedules, travel, or on-the-go meal skipping
- Designed as part of a structured weight management plan
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The original SlimFast plan, famous for its 'A shake for breakfast, a shake for lunch, and a sensible dinner' slogan, was a cultural phenomenon in the 1980s and 90s, selling over 100 million cans of its powder mix in its first year alone.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 10.9 g |
| Energy | 386 kcal |
| Protein | 16.2 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 8.9 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 60.2 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 5.1 g |
| Total Sugars | 25.0 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 668 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 5.0 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 250 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 673 mg |
| Potassium, K | 289 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 253 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 5.7 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.28 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 46.7 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 96.6 mg |
| Thiamin | 1.7 mg |
| Riboflavin | 1.9 mg |
| Niacin | 21.2 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 2.1 mg |
| Folate, total | 430 ug |
| Folic acid | 422 ug |
| Folate, food | 8.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 725 ug |
| Choline, total | 40.6 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 7.9 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 7.9 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 940 ug |
| Retinol | 940 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 6.0 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 6.0 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 5.4 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 129 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 5.4 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.17 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.17 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 2.1 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.71 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.93 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.1 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 2.4 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 2.2 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.04 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.1 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 1.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 7.0 mg |
FAQ
Is a SlimFast bar a healthy snack?
It's designed as a meal replacement, not a snack. While it provides balanced macros and vitamins, its high calorie and sugar content make it a poor choice for a simple snack. It's best used as a structured part of a weight management plan.
Can I eat this if I'm diabetic?
Due to its significant sugar content, it can cause rapid blood sugar fluctuations. Individuals with diabetes should consult their healthcare provider or dietitian before incorporating it, as it may require careful insulin or medication adjustment.
How does it compare to a protein bar?
A SlimFast bar is a full meal replacement with a balanced macro profile (protein, carbs, fat) and added vitamins. A standard protein bar typically prioritizes protein content and may have higher fat or sugar, but isn't formulated to provide complete nutrition for a meal.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 3.86 kcal/g · 17% calories from protein · 5.1 g fiber · 25.0 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.88 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.