Slim-Fast is a branded company known for producing weight loss dietary supplements including shakes, snacks, and meal replacement bars. Recently, the company initiated its Slim-Fast Optima plan, a diet plan with three main components: meal replacement supplements, portion control, and exercise. The plan also recommends that an individual consume eight glasses of water a day. Menus and recipes utilizing the full family of Slim-Fast products are available through Optima, as are tips on snacking and label reading.

Since there are 3500 calories in a pound of fat, it would take a caloric reduction of 500 calories per day in order to lose a pound a week. Slim-Fast uses this as a guideline in setting its menu plans and therefore individual weight loss varies based on caloric intake restriction. Snacks such as fresh fruits and vegetables as well as the Slim-Fast bars are encouraged along with the daily meals, equaling about 4 to 6 small meals and snacks daily.

Slim-Fast encourages men, women, and even children when supervised by a medical professional, to partake in the program and utilize the dietary supplement foods. Its products are not drugs, but rather food that can be consumed safely by those on weight loss medications. There are also lactose-free products available for lactose intolerant dieters. Many medical patients with ailments can also consume products safely. Slim-Fast advises anyone who is pregnant, nursing, or under the age of 18 to consult a medical professional before beginning the program. It also advises anyone who wants to lose more than 30 pounds or 15 percent of total body weight to do the same.