Not a culinary sensation, but they will get you through your diet (Slimfast French Vanilla Milkshake Powder)

Member Name: song_of_calliope

Product:	Slimfast French Vanilla Milkshake Powder
Date:	05/10/09 (17 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Tastes quite nice, fairly filling

Disadvantages: Gets monotonous after a while

I finally faced the fact that my weight had started creeping up on me when it came down to the choice between buying a whole new wardrobe or dieting, as I could barely fit into any of my clothes. I chose the dieting option, and went shopping looking for products to help me in my quest to lose weight.

Slimfast is the product that I would say has helped me the most. I've tried all the different flavours over the 2-3 months that I've been using them, and I find the vanilla to be the only one that I never tire of. The banana and chocolate ones were fine at first but soon became too sickly, and the strawberry was just far too sickly from the start, but the vanilla I find I can drink over and over again and it's just fine.

The powders are the more economical option. A large tub costs about £8-9 and makes around 12 servings, whereas the single servings are usually about £1.29, so even when you add in the cost of the milk you are way ahead.

I also prefer the powders for the simple reason that I make them up in the morning a plain plastic bottle and take them into work that way. I would find it a bit embarassing to take the bright red single serving slimfast shakes into work, as I don't necessarily want comments from colleagues on the progress of my diet!

I make my shakes with soy milk but you could use skim milk of course instead. There are a couple of ways you can mix them up. Either you can mix them with an electric whisk or you can put the powder and milk into a shaker or bottle, put the cap on tightly and shake for a minute or two. I usually use the second method, and I use a funnel to get the powder into a bottle with a slim neck, although you can sometimes find shakers from slimfast specifically designed for this purpose.

The taste of the shakes is ok. At first I loved them but now, 2-3 months on, I would say that I tolerate them. They are quite thick and creamy and not too sweet. I usually have a piece of fruit with them as well - I particularly like them with clementines as the sweet and sour tastes blen well together. Bananas are nice too!

I have a slimfast either for breakfast or for lunch now (although in the beginning of my diet I had two a day, one for each of these meals). I have lost 15 pounds and only have 5 more to go, so wish me luck, and best of luck to you in your diet too!

Summary: A good way to jump start your diet - but don't forget to exercise, too!