Nutritional drink or shake, ready-to-drink (Slim Fast)
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A smooth, creamy, and often chocolate or vanilla-flavored beverage designed as a convenient meal replacement or snack. It has a light, drinkable texture, not as thick as a milkshake, and is fortified with vitamins and minerals. With only 57 kcal per 100g, it's a low-calorie option focused on providing balanced macros in a portable format.
Calorie split: 22% protein · 50% carbs · 28% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its consistent, sweet flavor and the sheer convenience of having a nutritionally balanced meal in a bottle. It fits seamlessly into busy lifestyles, offering a no-prep option for on-the-go nutrition.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The sweet taste can be off-putting to some, and the texture may feel artificial compared to whole foods. It may cause blood-sugar spikes due to added sugars if not paired with other foods. For those watching sodium, check labels, as some formulations are higher. Tip: Pair with a handful of nuts or seeds to add healthy fats and further stabilize blood sugar.
Key benefits
- Low calorie density for weight management
- Convenient source of balanced protein and carbs
- Fortified with essential vitamins and minerals
- Provides dietary fiber for satiety
- Quick and portable meal or snack solution
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The SlimFast brand became a cultural icon in the 1980s and 90s with its 'A shake for breakfast, a shake for lunch, and a sensible dinner' slogan, epitomizing the era's diet drink craze.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 85.7 g |
| Energy | 57.0 kcal |
| Protein | 3.3 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 1.9 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 7.7 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.6 g |
| Total Sugars | 6.0 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 161 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.87 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 45.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 161 mg |
| Potassium, K | 193 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 68.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.72 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.01 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 5.7 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 19.4 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.17 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.19 mg |
| Niacin | 2.3 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.23 mg |
| Folate, total | 39.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 39.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 66.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 14.8 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.68 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.68 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 170 ug |
| Retinol | 170 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) | 4.6 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 4.6 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 1.1 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 6.5 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.54 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.28 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.13 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.97 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 1.0 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.32 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.31 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.15 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 | 3.0 mg |
FAQ
Is a nutritional shake a complete meal replacement?
When used as directed (often as one or two meals per day), it is formulated to provide a balance of protein, carbs, fats, vitamins, and minerals. However, it's not intended to replace all meals long-term without medical supervision.
Can I use it as a simple snack?
Absolutely. Many people use one bottle as a controlled-calorie snack between meals to curb hunger and avoid less healthy options.
How does the sugar content affect me?
The 5.95g of sugar per 100g (about 18g in a standard 310g bottle) comes from added sugars. Consuming it alone may cause a quicker blood sugar rise. Pairing it with a source of fat or protein (like a spoonful of peanut butter) can slow absorption.
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 0.57 kcal/g · 23% calories from protein · 1.6 g fiber · 6.0 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: 0.35 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.