Question 1

What if I have a question?

Accepted Answer

If you have any queries about our shakes, please email us on shakes@thefast800.com.

Question 2

Where can I buy the shakes?

Accepted Answer

We currently sell online and to the UK only. We will have our shakes for sale in Australia inlate 2020.

Question 3

How are they different from other shakes?

Accepted Answer

There are several ways we are different from other shakes.

We have formulated our shakes to match our [Way of Life] – to be nutrient dense, lower incarbs, and higher in fats and protein to keep you fuller for longer.Our shakes are high in fibre (which is key to great gut health) with around 7g of fibre in eachserve.Our shakes are 100% natural – nothing artificial.

Question 4

How many servings are in one pouch?

Accepted Answer

There are 10 servings per 500g pouch, based on the recommended of 50g per serving.

Question 5

What ingredients are in the shakes?

Accepted Answer

Check out our list of ingredients.

Question 6

How many calories are in your shakes?

Accepted Answer

Our shakes are approximately 200 calories per serve, when made with water. Click here for ournutrition panels.

Question 7

Why do your shakes have a gritty texture?

Accepted Answer

Our shakes are made with natural ingredients like ground up flaxseed, almonds and coconut so canhave a gritty texture. Check out our serving suggestions.

Question 8

How should I prepare my shake?

Accepted Answer

We recommend 300ml of cold water. Here are some other serving suggestions:● Blend with ice for a smoother shake● Use unsweetened almond milk (approx. 39 calories per 300ml)● Add 1/4 avocado (approx. 80 calories) and blend for a thicker shake● For a Frappuccino style drink, add coffee to taste● Add 1/2 cup of frozen berries (approx. 40 calories) and blend● The chocolate shake is great blended with a little peppermint extract or mint leaves● Add a pinch of cinnamon to your vanilla shake● You could also add raw organic cacao powder for a richer chocolate flavour

Question 9

How often can I drink them?

Accepted Answer

We encourage real food first. We are aware that this is not always possible so we recommend 7-10shakes a week alongside healthy Med-style meals. They are great for a quick and easy breakfast –better and more filling than sugary cereals or other snacks.

Question 10

Are they suitable for vegetarians or vegans?

Accepted Answer

Our original shakes contain milk whey and our vegan shakes contain no animal products at all.

Question 11

Do they contain added sugar?

Accepted Answer

There is no added sugar in any of our shakes. Our shakes do contain natural stevia [natural monkfruit] as we want them to taste good, however the amount we use is low. Instead our shakes aremade up primarily of healthy fats and proteins with a focus on ground nuts and seeds.

Question 12

Are they gluten free?

Accepted Answer

Our shakes are made of gluten free ingredients. However, they are made in a factory thatmanufactures other goods that contain gluten. We do not recommend our shakes if you are coeliacor highly sensitive to gluten.

Question 13

Are they lactose free?

Accepted Answer

Our vegan shakes are! However our original shakes contains milk whey.

Question 14

How should I store the packet?

Accepted Answer

We recommend that you keep the pouch stored in a cool, dark cupboard. You do not need to keep itin the fridge.

Sometimes the powder gets caught in the seal. Give the seal a bit of a flick to remove the powder.

Question 15

Where is my order?

Accepted Answer

Click on the link in your order confirmation email to see the status of your order.

Question 16

My order hasn’t arrived. What do I do?

Accepted Answer

We send you an email with a tracking link as soon as your order is on the way. For tracked orders,use the tracking link provided to check where your order is.Have you checked for a delivery card? Your parcel may have been left somewhere safe or beentaken to a local depot.Head to our Delivery Information page for more information.

Question 17

Delivery options and timing

Accepted Answer

We offer tracked and untracked delivery options. Head to our Delivery Information page forestimated timeframes.

Question 18

Returns policy

Accepted Answer

Please note we will only accept returns or exchanges for products that are unused and sealed andpurchased from our website. We are unable to accept returns of opened pouches. When youreceive your item, please check it as soon as possible following receipt and always before use. Youhave 14 days to cancel or return your order under our 14 day return period policy. To receive arefund or a replacement, please contact us via shakes@thefast800.com before attempting toreturn any items to us.For more information click here.

Question 19

Sign up to our newsletter

Accepted Answer

Sign up to our free community newsletter for free content, health tips, recipes and exclusive offersdelivered straight to your inbox.

Question 20

Is The Fast 800 right for me?

Accepted Answer

There is really no definitive answer to this question as everyone participating in the programme isdifferent in so many ways (weights, sugars, exercise, medications, ages, etc). Having said that, thecore objectives of this programme are to:

Lose weightReduce blood sugars

The programme not only helps making food choices easier, it provides critical support through theonline forum where members can support each other and ask questions of our health coaches.Please note if you have certain medical conditions, are pregnant, breastfeeding or underweight, youshould not do the diet. Please see ‘Who should AVOID a low calorie diet or fasting’ below for furtherinformation.

Question 21

Who should AVOID a low calorie diet or fasting?

Accepted Answer

The Fast 800 diet and online programme are not recommended for the following:

People who are underweight and/ or have an eating disorder, or a history or suspicion of an eating disorder.Children (under 18 years old).Type 1 diabetics.Pregnant women, breast feeding mothers or anyone undergoing fertility treatment.People who have a significant psychiatric disorder or substance abuse.People who are under active investigation or treatment, or have a significant medical condition affecting ability to comply with diet.People who have had a recent cardiac event, myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular accident (<3 months previously) or other heart abnormalities.People who have had uncontrolled heart disease, uncontrolled hypertension, or kidney failure.People who are feeling unwell, have a fever, are frail or recovering from significant surgery (<6 months ago).People who are on insulin. This is to avoid a potentially dangerous drop in blood sugar (hypo).People who are on ‘flozin’ medication (known as SGLT2 inhibitors, taken to reduce blood sugars, such as Dapaglifozin of Canagliflozin). This is to avoid the rare complication and potentially dangerous condition called euglycaemic diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), where despite having normal or only mildly raised ketones the medication can mask a serious complication of diabetes requiring urgent attention.

Please read our medical disclaimer for additional information.

To help the discussion with your doctor, download this letter.

Question 22

Should I discuss this with my doctor?

Accepted Answer

As with all diets, we recommend you discuss it with your doctor as they will be able to advise you onhow to manage any medical conditions and you should always follow their advice. They can also helpwith any monitoring or tests to see how you are progressing.For additional information to support the conversation – please share this letter with your doctorto explain the implications of the diet.

Question 23

What's included in the 12-week online programme?

Accepted Answer

Our comprehensive online programme teaches our members the health benefits of a low carbMediterranean-style diet (so it becomes a way of eating for life). It is based on the latest science andtakes an evidence-based approach to healthy living focusing on nutrition, behavioural change andsustainable lifestyle.

● Learn the health benefits of a [low carb Mediterranean-style diet]● Weekly meal plans and printable shopping lists● The Very Fast 800, The New 5:2 and Way of Life diet plans● Non-vegetarian and vegetarian plans● Exercise plans, incorporating HIIT and resistance training● A tracker to measure weight loss, activity and blood sugars● 400+ delicious recipes, unique to the online programme● Mindfulness meditations● Core learning content, plus access to exclusive articles● Support tools for liaising with your usual treating doctor● Access to a lively community forum so you can chat with your fellow members and/or askour online health coaches for support.

Question 24

How much does the online programme cost?

Accepted Answer

The online programme teaches our members the benefits of a low carb Mediterranean-style diet (soit becomes a way of eating for life).

The cost of the online programme is £99.00 (AUD$175.00)At the end of your course you move across to the monthly subscription service for £10 (AUD$18 permonth), with the first month free. This can be cancelled at any time.

Question 25

What is included in the monthly subscription service?

Accepted Answer

If you wish to continue The Fast 800 way of life after your 12-week course you can move into themonthly subscription service for £10 (AUD$18 per month), with the first month free. You retainaccess to your 12-week course content.

Question 26

When does the 12-week online programme start?

Accepted Answer

The programme is a guided course and starts straight away however, the first week is an orientationweek to give you time to prepare. If you sign up on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday (before 12midnight UTC), your orientation week will begin straight away and your Week 1 will start theMonday after.If you signed up on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday, your orientation week will still startstraight away, but your Week 1 won’t be available until the following Monday (so that you actuallyhave some time to complete the orientation week).You can trial your meal plan during your orientation week.

Question 27

Can I restart the 12-week online programme after I start?

Accepted Answer

As the programme is guided, you are unable to pause or restart the course. You can switch back toprevious weeks. You also receive a free four week trial of the monthly subscription service at the endof the course to allow you to catch up on any missed content.

Question 28

What results am I likely to experience on the programme?

Accepted Answer

Results will vary across individuals however, common benefits experienced by past membersinclude:

To lose fat, fast – rapid, sustainable weight loss.For general health and to live longer – a sense of well-being and increased energy.For metabolic reasons – improving blood sugars, reversing and preventing type 2 diabetes, improving cholesterol profiles, reversing NAFLD, reducing coronary artery diseases, reducing the risk of dementia, reversing PCOS.To power up your brain – reducing cognitive decline.To boost your mood and motivation – a great way to reduce anxiety and depression.To help reduce inflammation in the body – improving conditions such as arthritis, asthma and psoriasis.A new relationship with foodReduced hungerImprovement in sleepIncreased fitness

Most importantly, we like to think of the online programme as a plan for life. Our aim is to put you back in control so that when you finish the programme you can continue to make healthy, sustainable choices. Members often comment that the information provided in the online programme is invaluable and can easily be incorporated into everyday life.

Question 29

What tests can I do to monitor results?

Accepted Answer

The easy ones are to weigh yourself and measure things like your waist, chest, hips. Some weighingmachines will also give you an estimate of your body fat.You could also take a measure of your resting pulse, as this is a good predictor of future health.Also, ask your doctor to measure HbA1C (average glucose), cholesterol and your blood pressure.

Question 30

Is The Fast 800 suitable for vegetarians?

Accepted Answer

Yes! The 12-week online programme has meal plans specifically for vegetarians – which will beselected for you following your assessment.

Question 31

Is The Fast 800 suitable for vegans?

Accepted Answer

The 12-week online programme does not cater for vegans.If you are not fasting, then it is possible to adapt the Way of Life plan to create a vegan plan,however it will require your effort to ensure your daily protein requirements are achieved.

Question 32

I have food allergies/intolerances, can I still do the programme?

Accepted Answer

The Fast 800 is based on a low-carb Mediterranean-style diet. There have been many people withcertain allergies successfully complete the programme.The meal plans are not able to exclude certain ingredients. Thus we cannot offer a menu tailoredspecifically for food aversions, intolerances or allergies, e.g. FODMAP, egg-free, nut-free, dairy-free.However, you are able to switch out recipes containing offending foods for a more suitable option.

Question 33

Why a lower carb Mediterranean-style diet?

Accepted Answer

Research shows that a low-carbohydrate Mediterranean-Style diet has unique power not just torestore your body’s ability to reach its ideal weight and stay there, but also to cut your risk of seriousdisease. As one of the most studied and healthiest diets in the world – it is at the heart of all we do.

All of the recipes included in the online programme are based around the Mediterranean-Style diet.

Question 34

What diet plans are available on the online programme?

Accepted Answer

There are three different approaches: The Very Fast 800 plan, 800 calories per day for up to 12weeks. This approach is for those that are motivated and want to lose a lot of weight rapidly. Thenthere's The New 5:2 plan, which is based on five days of healthy eating and two fasting days, createdfor those who have less weight to lose but would like to experience the other health benefits offasting and healthy eating. Lastly, there's the Way of Life (Med-style) plan, which is for those that arealready at a healthy weight but would like to improve their overall health.There are vegetarian andnon-vegetarian plans with Menu for One and Menu for Two options.

Question 35

Does the programme have a gluten-free plan for coeliacs?

Accepted Answer

Many people who have coeliacs disease or a gluten intolerance have successfully completed theonline programme.The great majority of the recipes are gluten free and any recipes that do contain gluten can be easilymodified to become gluten free. Our team on the forum will be able to help with any questions inrelation to substitutions.

Question 36

Do I have to give up coffee, smoking or alcohol?

Accepted Answer

No, you don’t have to give up any of these whilst on the diet although, obviously, we would certainlyadvise everyone to stop smoking as soon as possible, irrespective of their blood sugars.Coffee and alcohol are still allowed on the diet although the calories in both of these drinks needs tobe included in the daily calorie limit (noting that alcohol is highly calorific). A pint of beer or largeglass of wine contains 180 calories, so really best avoided or keep to the very minimum. The goodnews is that red wine is included in the Mediterranean-Style diet, so once you finish the programmeand move onto ‘the maintenance’ stage you will be able to introduce alcoholic drinks back into yourdiet (we go over this in more detail in the programme).Black coffee and tea are fine although you will need to include any milks in your daily calorie count.

Question 37

Can I follow The Fast 800 if I am doing heavy exercise?

Accepted Answer

Please note that 800 calories a day is too low for those who are doing intense or endurance exercise.If you are doing intense/endurance exercise, you will require more energy than most. You may stillbe able to follow the Way of Life (Med-style) diet, however you may require extra nutrition tosupport your training plan.We would advise seeing your usual health professional before starting any diet or exercise regime asthey will be in the best position to advise.

Question 38

Do I need a Facebook account to join the programme?

Accepted Answer

You do not need a Facebook account to join the programme, or engage in the programme forum.All paid member interaction occurs on the website or via email; there is no programme content onFacebook or any other platform.

Question 39

How long will I have access to the programme?

Accepted Answer

As noted in our Programme Terms & Conditions 2.1 (c), The Fast 800 online programme offerscourse content and forum support for a fixed period of time.Upon joining the programme you will immediately access orientation content. Your course is then 12weeks long and once finished you will move across to our monthly subscription service (with thefirst month free). Thereafter you can continue accessing course content and forum support for areduced monthly fee.

Question 40

What are the meals like? Are the recipes difficult?

Accepted Answer

We have designed all the recipes on the programme to have the right balance of nutrition, be fillingand taste delicious, help keep you motivated, but also to fit within our 12-week course criteria. Theyfollow the principles of a low carb Mediterranean style diet (which is rich in vegetables, protein, fibreand healthy fats).We have had so many past members comment on the simplicity and deliciousness of the recipes.The recipes are designed for your success; there are a variety of options that suit both the keen cookand the novice.

Question 41

How does the private forum work?

Accepted Answer

Forums are private and are for use only by paid members of the cohort.Your privacy is important to us and as such we aim to protect this information. We recommend you do not disclose any personal information e.g. date of birth or personal address.We further recommend you choose a forum name that will protect your anonymity but you can clearly identify for yourself.Members are encouraged to provide your personal statistics including height, weight, waist circumference and blood results such that your cohort colleagues can share in and support your progress. Sharing this information is optional.Members are welcome to post as often or as little as they like. Discussion regarding any aspect of the diet, hints, tips, recipes are encouraged to support members of the forum.Specific details about medical conditions will not be provided directly on the forum.  Trained health coaches will monitor the forum regularly.We will not tolerate any forum comments that are in any way abusive, aggressive or derogatory . Any such postings will be removed immediately and the user’s account closed with no recourse for refund of fee paid.Importantly, everyone involved in this programme supporting the site are determined to help you achieve your blood sugar and health goals.

Question 42

How can I pay? Do you have a payment plan?

Accepted Answer

We accept Mastercard and Visa credit cards and Visa and Maestro debit cards.

You can select to pay in GBP, AUD or USD.We do not have a payment plan option at this stage.

Question 43

Can I do the programme outside the UK and Australia?

Accepted Answer

The Fast 800 is a 12-week online programme and is suitable for members anywhere in the world as long as they have stable Wi-Fi access. The online programme is run by a global, virtual team in the UK as well as Australia.  thefast800.com is the only url offering the official 12-week online programme and this url is the same for members accessing from anywhere in the world.

Question 44

Can I follow The Very Fast 800 phase for longer than 12 weeks?

Accepted Answer

The 800-calorie rapid weight loss phase is safe, for most individuals, up to 12 weeks, as long as you stick to our recommendations, drink plenty of water and take a high-quality multivitamin. We recommend that after 3 months, you move to an intermittent fasting regime and start introducing non-fasting days each week.

Question 45

Can I do the programme with two meals per day?

Accepted Answer

The meal plans in the 12-week online programme are currently set up for three meals per day. However, you are able to amend the meal plans to suit.

Question 46

Can couples do the programme together?

Accepted Answer

Having a buddy to do the programme with can be very beneficial. If you are happy to do the programme off one account you can just purchase one programme.

This means you will share a login and the emails will only go to one email address. It also means you will have to be happy to do the same diet plan based on one assessment and be at the same level for the exercises.

If you want to track your success separately and you are both at different levels of fitness, it is probably best to purchase two programmes.

Question 47

Are the book recipes on the programme?

Accepted Answer

Recipes from The Fast 800 Recipe Book are not used on the programme because the rights and permissions remain with the publisher and as such we cannot use them directly.

We have tailored our programme recipes to fit perfectly into your meal plans, so all the hard work is done for you in terms of calorie or macronutrient counting. As we also follow the principles of the Med-style diet, we have similar recipes to those found in the book. but we have made tweaks to ensure they work within our 12-week course criteria.

Question 48

I have limited movement – can I still do the programme?

Accepted Answer

We encourage the integration of exercise and activity alongside your dietary changes for rapid weight loss. If you are injured or have limited mobility it is possible to continue the programme without completing the exercise component if you’re unable to do so. The main focus would then be your dietary and mindfulness changes.

We recommend consulting with your usual healthcare professional before completing exercises to reduce risk, in addition to, reading our medical disclaimer.

Question 49

I am not sure yet, is your newsletter free?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Sign up to our community newsletter for free content, health tips, recipes and exclusive offers delivered straight to your inbox.

Question 50

I am a shift worker – will I be able to follow the programme?

Accepted Answer

We have many shift workers on the programme. Our Health Coaches can provide advice on how to make the programme work for early, late and night shift scenarios.

COVID-19 – How we are supporting you

Now, more than ever, it’s important to take care of yourself and your health. Keeping up with your Mediterranean way of eating, getting a good night’s sleep and keeping active are all key in supporting your health and we are here to help as much as possible.

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