Slim Fast

November 20, 2000

Registered Dietitian Elizabeth Gurian chats about the benefits of the Slim Fast diet and how to stick to it, even during the holiday season.

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Slim-Fast: We would like to welcome everyone to our pre-holiday Slim-Fast chat with Elizabeth Gurian. Elizabeth is a Registered Dietitian, and is here to discuss tactics with you to prevent weight gain during the holiday season. During this chat you will find ways to bolster your will power and keep on track from Thanksgiving all the way through the New Year. Don't be shy, ask the questions that are on your mind, and Elizabeth will answer as many questions as possible during this one hour chat session. We welcome you again, and thank you for joining us today.

Liz Gurian: Thank you everyone for joining me. Please feel free to ask any questions you have on you mind.

Barbara G: I always have good intentions not to overeat during the holidays, but I never seem able to follow through. How can I make my good intentions a reality?

Liz Gurian: Barbara, planning is the key. For example, if you're going to a holiday party, call ahead and ask if you could bring a dish. This will give you the opportunity to bring a low-calorie item that you know you can eat. Don't arrive at holiday parties hungry; make sure that you have two Slim-Fast shakes during the day, which will help to fill you up and also leave some extra calories allotted for the evening celebrations. Focus on conversation, not just the food. Also, try to be helpful at holiday gatherings. Doing the dishes burns more calories than just sitting on the couch!

Jen: How can I prevent stress during the holidays, because I know the stress makes me overeat!

Liz Gurian: Jen, slow down and take some time to relax! Exercising daily will help to relieve tension. Plan ahead, and shop in advance for any meals that you are responsible for preparing. Keep healthy foods around the house, so if you're feeling stressed out you can eat health foods such as carrots and celery, rather than overeating foods like pecan pie.

Need To Lose: What is a good way to get started? I usually try a diet and then a week later I'm so sick of it I "fall off the wagon."

Liz Gurian: A good way to get started is by working Slim-Fast into your lifestyle. You can do this by replacing the most difficult meal of the day for you with a Slim-Fast. Surround yourself with Slim-Fast products and with healthy snacks so it will be easy for you to follow your new plan. Join the Slim-Fast online club for support and healthy recipe ideas, and remember to weigh in weekly using your Slim-Fast weight chart.

Just Curious: How can I reduce calorie load in my pumpkin pie?

Liz Gurian: It depends on the recipe you're using. At Slim-Fast.com, we have a substitution list and you can look for lower calorie substitions for the ingredients you currently use in your recipe.

Petunia Pig: What's the difference between a meal on the go bar, a breakfast bar and a snack bar? Are they basically the same?

Liz Gurian: Meal on the Go bars contain 220 calories, and they can be used interchangeably in the meal plan with the shakes. So shakes and bars are equivalent. Snack bars have 120 calories, and can be used as a healthy snack during the day. Be sure to drink 8 ounces of water with your Slim-Fast bars.

Mariesta: Should you continue to take vitamins while using Slim-Fast are is all that in the drink?

Liz Gurian: Mariesta, Slim-Fast shakes provide you with all the vitamins and minerals you need, therefore it is not necessary to take any additional vitamin supplements unless your doctor has prescribed them.

Sharon: Does drinking a glass of water really fill you up before a meal? I do not really care much for water…could you suggest something else I could use instead?

Liz Gurian: Instead of drinking water, you can drink a broth-based soup before meals to help fill you up. In addition, you can try adding lemon or lime juice to your water to give it flavor without adding any calories.

Dietgal: I hate looking like I am just picking when at holiday parties, what types of 'traditional' holiday foods tend to be lower in fat?

Liz Gurian: Turkey, for one, is a healthy holiday choice, as long as you don't smother it with a creamy sauce. Instead of just picking, fill your plate up one time with your favorite foods. Remember to use portion control and eat slowly. Be the first to start eating, and the last to finish eating…and you won't have to stand around with an empty plate.

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