Difference in Slim-Fast Optima & Slim-Fast High Protein

Slim-Fast has been helping dieters lose weight with its liquid diet program since 1977. Over the years, shakes have been modified to fit the special needs of dieters. Slim-Fast Optima, now known as the Slim-Fast 3-2-1 plan, was designed to help meet all of your nutrient needs while helping to control hunger 1. Slim-Fast High Protein has a similar nutrient composition as the Slim-Fast Optima, but is higher in protein. Comparing the two products can help you determine which shake best suits your needs.

Ingredients

The ingredient list differs between Slim-Fast Optima and Slim-Fast High Protein. While the first two ingredients in both drinks, fat free milk and water, are the same, the ingredients that follow differ. To provide a higher protein content, the third and fourth ingredients in the Slim-Fast High Protein include calcium caseinate and milk protein concentrate. In the Slim-Fast Optima, the third and fourth ingredients include sugar and cocoa powder. Then comes canola oil and milk protein concentrate. Because sugar is the third ingredient in the Slim-Fast Optima, it contains more sugar than the Slim-Fast High Protein, where sugar is the 10th ingredient on the list.

Protein

What Is in Slim Fast?

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The obvious difference between the two Slim-Fast shakes is the protein content. One serving of Slim-Fast Optima contains 10 g of protein, while one serving of Slim-Fast High Protein contains 15 g of protein. How much protein you need in your diet each day depends on your weight and activity levels. A sedentary individual needs about 0.8 g of protein per kilogram of body weight, while a person who engages in recreational activity needs 1.0 to 1.5 g of protein per kilogram of body weight. For example, a 150 lb. sedentary individual needs 55 g of protein a day, while a more active individual of the same weight needs 68 g to 102 g of protein.

Calories, Carbohydrates and Fat

Both the Slim-Fast Optima and High Protein contain 190 calories, 24 g of carbohydrates and 4 g of fiber per serving. The shakes do have different fat and sugar contents. The fat content in the two shakes only differs slightly. The Slim-Fast Optima contains 6 g of total fat and 2 g of saturated fat, while the High Protein shake contains 5 g of total fat and 2 g of saturated fat. There is a greater difference in sugar content. The Optima shake contains 18 g of sugar per serving, while the High Protein shake contains just 13 g.

Vitamins and Minerals

Special K Vs. Slim Fast

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Both the Slim-Fast Optima and High Protein shake contain the same amount of vitamins and minerals. Each shake is designed to meet one-third of your daily recommended intake for most of the essential vitamins and minerals. For example, each shake meets 50 percent of your daily value for calcium, 35 percent of your daily value for vitamin A and 100 percent of your daily value for vitamin C.