Strawberries and Slim Fast

Question
Hi Karen!
I have a couple questions that have been bugging me recently. First, I drink Slim Fast Soy every morning along with my normal breakfast. I am a strict vegetarian so I feel good about taking in so many extra vitimins and minerals minus all the fat and calories of other "meal replacements." However, lately I've been wondering what would happen if I stopped drinking it all together.
I've heard people say Slim Fast is actually unhealthy and even bad for you, but they are refering to the regular kind, not the Soy. Do you have any information that could help me decide if this is a healthy drink?  
Lastly, I love eating strawberries as a snack since they are so extremely low in calories, but I was wondering what vitimins in strawberries are especially healthful?
I look forward to reading your advice, thank you very much in advance!
-Haylee

Answer
Hi Haylee,

Aside from the fact that the Slim Fast Soy contains soy protein, and the regular Slim Fast contains a milk protein, there doesn't appear to be a lot of difference between the two types. Both are very high in sugar (39 g out of 46 g carb are sugar in the soy one). Also, I suspect that the soy protein used is likely to be an isolated soy protein, which I suggest people avoid. Although soy from whole foods like tofu and soy milk has been shown to be beneficial, there are some concerns about isolated soy protein (the protein has been extracted from the soybean and "isolated"). It is believed that the isolated protein may act differently in the body than naturally occuring soy, and that there may be some negative effects from this.

You would be much better off to make your own fruit smoothie using soymilk, juice, and fruit (berries are great). Much less sugar, more fibre, better source of soy protein. You could also add some flax oil to provide omega-3 fatty acids. If you are concerned about getting enough vitamins and minerals, a broad-spectrum multivitamin and mineral supplement(such as Centrum Forte)will provide you with more vitamins and minerals than the Slim Fast, and is also much cheaper!

Strawberries are high in potassium and vitamin C, and a fair source of fibre (3.3 g per cup). They also contain phytochemicals (beneficial plant compounds) that have been shown to have anticancer and other health promoting properties.

Hope that helps!

Karen

1. Prev:Big bellies
2. Next:weight gain diet/tips