Slim fast

[Idontknow12123]

Is it safe to drink slim fast during pregnancy??

Well the shakes themselves aren't going to be a threat, but should you do an intense diet plan like this during pregnancy, no.

Hi OP. Agree with @CountessVonBoobs. Speak to your midwife before undertaking any sort of diet, but I would imagine you'd be far better off with a plan that enables you to eat more fruit and vegetables.

Thanks for the reply! I cant keep food down at the minute so I thought I would try and see if I can keep them down as they have protein fibre vitamins & minerals xx

Well that's different. If you are suffering from bad nausea then anything you can keep down is good. You just shouldn't try to diet.

You could try Purition, they are made from nuts and seeds so real food, lovely with frozen banana like a milkshake.

I would just check what the Vitamin A levels are in it first - you're meant to avoid excessive levels of Vit A during pregnancy, including supplements containing it. Discuss it with your midwife. Hope you feel better soon!

Yes completely safe. However if your pregnancy nausea is stopping you eating food I'll be amazed if you can stomach something as synthetic as slim fast. Worth a try though, just get back onto normal food as soon as your body allows.

@DuvetCaterpillar thats why I asked as it had Vit A but it says on google safe in pregnancy but shouldn't be used as a diet xx

I’m sorry you’re feeling so rubbish. Many years ago my mum bought special shakes to help an elderly neighbour who couldn’t face food for a while. They were designed to build you up not help you slim. Worth speaking to a pharmacist to see if such a thing exists.

@Wolfiefan could it have been Complan? That's a good idea and still available at chemists/supermarkets. They also do a savoury version if sweet drinks are hard to keep down.

Ooo. It could have been. You’re talking about several decades ago and I was just a kid so couldn’t say for sure. I know it really helped and kept the lady going until she could stomach solid food. Thanks Holly.
Hope you feel better soon OP. I never suffered badly but remember a time when the only thing I could eat were fizzy sweets.

Just another vote for complan if you’re not managing to keep anything down. Some people find heavier liquids stay down better like chocolate milk.

There's Ensure as well I think is another one? Again, no idea what the specific vitamin contents are, but I'd be more inclined to go for one of those type of drinks than one intended for weight loss.

Slim fast isn't safe in pregnancy due to the levels of vitamin A in it

@Lovewinemorethanhusband how do you know?? This is what it says on their website

Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding are urged to consult with their doctor or medical professional before embarking on any diet program. SlimFast is generally considered safe for pregnant women as a dietary supplement or snack, but should not be used to lose weight.

Iv been drinking them since Thursday will it effect the baby 😩

@Lovewinemorethanhusband where's your source please? Everything on Google and all our Pharmacy training says the opposite!

@HollyBollyBooBoo what would you recommend instead?

I've pretty much survived on chocolate Frijj (you know, the thick chocolate shakes) through the first tri is two pregnancies. Midwife said it wasn't a bad choice because it's high in fat. Don't know if that's something to consider?

You have to take HIGH levels of Vit A for it to become a risk to your baby - above 1.5mg a day.

A slim fast shake contains 35% of your daily Vit A, so 3 of them and you've had your RDA.

So long as your not taking Vit A in another form I.e a vitamin supplement or eating liver more than once a week then you'll be absolutely fine!

Have a look at the nutritional label on Complan - there maybe less Vit A if you're now worried!