~~SLIM FAST MEAL ON-THE-GO BARS~~A YUMMY SNACK--YES, A MEAL REPLACEMENT--NO
Written: Aug 24 '02 (Updated Feb 04 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Tasty flavor; more nutritious than a candy bar; makes for an easy snack.
Cons: Contains LOTS of sugar; a bit expensive in price.
The Bottom Line: While there are certainly better nutrition bars available for serious health buffs, these Slim Fast Meal On-the-Go Bars are still a great tasting convenient snack.
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| melissasrn's Full Review: Slim Fast Meal-On-The-Go-Bar |
Over the years, I've had the opportunity to sample most of the Slim Fast products even though my main motivation in doing so usually is not for weight loss. Yes, I have tried to follow the Slim Fast Weight Loss Program in the past (you know the drill: a shake for breakfast, another for lunch, and then a "sensible" dinner), but after a few days I'd always fall off the wagon and go back to my normal eating habits. Even so, I still sometimes consume a glass of the Slim Fast Powders mixed in skim milk for lunch or a snack occasionally when monitoring caloric intake and/or seeking weight loss or management. I actually like the taste and I like knowing that I'm getting a few extra vitamins and minerals that I otherwise would not be getting if I chose a handful or Oreo cookies instead. So now when preparing my own shake from the powder variety isn't practical or convenient (I do not care for the premixed shakes available in cans at all!), I will sometimes grab a Slim Fast Meal On-the-Go Bar as a convenient alternative. While their nutritional contents could certainly be improved on (more fiber and protein with less sugar), I'd still recommend these meal bars as an average, good tasting choice.
~~~The Product~~~
Slim Fast Meal On-the-Go Bars are part of this company's Meal Options line and are designed to be used as somewhat nutritional snack or even occasional meal replacement for those seeking to lose or maintain their weight. Used alone just because you like the flavor or as part of the Slim Fast Weight Loss Program (see the website for complete details), these meal bars are very convenient yet only contain 220 calories each, which to me would make a better snack choice instead. High in sugar yet moderate in its protein content, there are certainly other better nutrition bars available on the market today for serious health buffs looking for more protein and less sugar. Available in several different flavors so that consumers can sample and then find their favorite, eating one these Slim Fast Meal On-the-Go Bars advertised to be high in calcium is slightly better nutritiously than a candy bar or a handful of cookies even though the taste makes you think what you are consuming is mostly junk (and some of it really IS).
~~~Packaging & Price~~~
Each rather small box of these Slim Fast Meal On-the-Go Bars containing 6 individually wrapped 1.97 ounce (56 g) meal bars may be purchased at most grocery, discount, and drugstores for approximately $4.47. This works out to be about 75 cents per bar, which is slightly more expensive than purchasing a regular sized candy bar at the checkout. The shiny wrappers are easy to open and should be disposed of properly while the cardboard box features helpful information for those interested in following the Slim Fast Easy Options Plan. Seven choices are available for purchase in same flavor boxes, although it would be nice to be able to purchase a "multi-flavor" box to sample each one. Since moderation is key in any weight loss or maintenance program, these meal bars may give some a false sense of security because the are marketed as a weight loss aid even though they contain a moderate amount of calories and lots of extra sugar. So even though they are quite tasty and make a great on-the-go snack every now and then, do not assume that you can eat the entire box of these Slim Fast Meal On-the-Go Bars and still lose weight! You'll be very disappointed in your results if you do.
~~~Flavors~~~
My current favorite flavor of these Slim Fast Meal On-the-Go Bars is easily the Chocolate Cookie Dough. The creamy chocolate flavor is surprisingly good yet very sweet. This rich choice could easily pass for a candy bar if you closed your eyes and did not look at the wrapper first. Consume by the expiration date printed on the bottom of each box for the best, fresh taste. Other varieties including both natural and artificial flavorings available for purchase include:
***Rich Chocolate Brownie
***Milk Chocolate Peanut
***Toasted Oats & Spice
***Honey Peanut
***Apple Cobbler
***Oatmeal Raisin
~~~Nutritional Information~~~
Calories (Energy).........220
Calories from Fat..........45
Total Fat.....................5g
Saturated Fat.............3.5g
Cholesterol.................5mg
Sodium....................160mg
Potassium.................65mg
Total Carbohydrate.......36g
Dietary Fiber...............2g
Sugars......................20g
Protein.......................8g
~~~Ingredients~~~ (Chocolate Cookie Dough)
Milk Chocolate, Flavored Coating (Sugar, Partially Hydrogenated Palm Kernel and Palm Oils, Cocoa {Processed with Alkali}, Nonfat Milk, Whey, Soy Lecithin, Salt, Artificial Flavor), High Maltose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup, Chocolate Cookie Pieces (Wheat Flour, Sugar, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean and/or Cottonseed Oil, Cocoa {Processed with Alkali}, Salt, Sodium Bicarbonate {Leavening Agent}, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Calcium Caseinate, Soy Protein Isolate, Sugar, Maltodextrin, Rice Flour, Cellulose Gel, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Oat Fiber, Fractionated Palm Kernel Oil, Carrageenan, Nonfat Milk, Salt, Nonfat Yogurt Powder (Cultured Whey, Nonfat Milk), Guar Gum, Dextrose, Soy Lecithin and Caramel Color.
Vitamins & Minerals: Calcium Phosphate, Magnesium Oxide, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin E Acetate, Niacinamide, Ferric Orthophosphate, Calcium Pantothenate, Zinc Oxide, Vitamin A Palmitate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Thiamin Mononitrate, Biotin, Folic Acid, Chromium Chloride, Potassium Iodide, Sodium Molybdate, Sodium Selenite, Phytonadione (Vitamin K1), Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) and Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12).
***May contain traces of egg, sesame and various nuts, including peanuts.
~~~Overall Recommendation~~~
When compared to skipping a meal altogether or grabbing junk food containing empty calories such as candy bars and other sweets, these Slim Fast Meal On-the-Go Bars make a slightly healthier, convenient choice. On those days when I'm running late for work (which is often!) and haven't had lunch yet, I'll grab one of these meal bars to tide me over until I can eat something more substantial. Yes, they are very sweet and contain lots of sugar and a fair amount of fat, but my main objective here when choosing these is not weight loss (although it would be nice!). They simply taste good in my opinion and I know how many calories I am consuming. Those following a low carbohydrate diet or seeking more protein should definitely look elsewhere for a healthier nutrition bar as this one won't even come close to fitting your dietary needs. But for an occasional, convenient snack on the go, these Slim Fast Meal On-the-Go Bars can be enjoyed in moderation as part of any weight loss or weight management plan by most otherwise healthy people. Diabetics should know that these bars contain 1 fat-free milk, 1.5 carbohydrate, and 1 fat exchange, so consider this information carefully before purchasing. Good luck and stay healthy :-)
For more information on these Slim Fast Meal On-the-Go Bars as well as complete details regarding the Slim Fast Easy Options Plan itself, check out their website online at:
www.slimfast.com
While you are there, register for free online weight-loss support as well as a free Guide to Healthy Living.
Questions or comments?
1-877-375-4632
Or write:
SLIM FAST FOODS COMPANY
PO Box 3625
West Palm Beach, FL 33402
Slim Fast Chewy Granola Bars
Slim Fast Shakes
Ultra Slim Fast Powders
Slim Fast Powders
Slim Fast Snack Bars
Recommended:
Yes
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