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Why choose The Fast 800 shakes?
We encourage a colourful, wholefood Mediterranean-style diet, rich in fibre, protein, vegetables and healthy fats. It’s one of the best ways to lose weight to improve your health and forms the basis of The Fast 800 online programme.
Sometimes, though, preparing a nutritious meal can be difficult, whether you’re short on time, on the road, without a kitchen or simply have an empty fridge! In these situations, having a convenient ready-to-go option can be the difference between staying on track and falling off the wagon completely.
Why did we create The Fast 800 shakes?
There are hundreds of shakes on the market, but many contain artificial ingredients, sweeteners, thickeners and sugar – all of which can be detrimental to health. While we advocate real food first, we created The Fast 800 shakes to provide a nutritious alternative for busy days or when cooking isn’t a realistic option.
Our shakes, just like The Fast 800 online programme, were developed to align with the principles of a moderately low-carb Mediterranean-style diet. They are low in starchy carbohydrates and high in protein, fibre, and good quality, healthy fats. There is no added sugar or artificial ingredients, just natural ingredients in 200-calorie servings to provide you with nutrition when you need it.
The Fast 800 shakes can fit into vegetarian and non-vegetarian lifestyles, with original and vegan varieties that are made from wholly natural ingredients including a carefully designed blend of whey or plant proteins, coconut, almonds, minerals and vitamins.
Rather than picking up a pastry during a rushed morning commute, or ordering pizza at the end of a demanding day, our shakes can help take the stress out of healthy living.
And, importantly, no shake should form the backbone of your diet. Shakes are best consumed no more than one meal per day, or up to 8-10 per week if needed. The basis of your diet should comprise whole foods, with shakes incorporated during times when you need a bit of extra convenience. Remember, in the long run real food is always best.
The Fast 800 Founder and Ambassador, Dr Michael Mosley, said accessing quick and convenient nutrition could, at times, be tricky.
“The Fast 800 shakes are packed with natural ingredients,” Dr Mosley said.
You can read the ingredients list and know exactly what is in them, so they’re a terrific option when the thought of cooking isn’t appealing, or you’re time-poor.
“While I don’t think shakes should be used as a frequent replacement for a well-balanced meal, this is a convenient alternative to the processed foods we often turn to when we are stressed or when fresh food is not easy to access.
“They are also really helpful when doing a rapid weight loss diet.”
The science and benefits of using shakes
Research indicates that partial meal replacement (PMR) of food with shakes helps lead to better outcomes than conventional diets alone. In 2008, the American Dietetic Association compared three randomised controlled trials of weight loss programmes, comparing real food alone to programmes that featured PMR shakes. Compared to those who did not consume shakes, people using PMR shakes:
- lost more weight at 12 weeks;
- lost more weight over one year; and
- had a significantly lower drop-out rate.
A 2019 study echoed these results, showing those in the test group consuming shakes had more significant improvements in weight, BMI and cardiovascular health than those who did not include shakes in their diets.
While we think that real food is best, there are times when shakes can be great in kick starting a diet, for a quick breakfast or a convenient meal when short of time. Using The Fast 800 Shakes gives you a nutritionally sound, calorie-controlled meal alternative in less than one minute.
Learn more about how The Fast 800 shakes can help you lose weight.
What to look for in a shake:
Many shakes hit the market – and have stayed there – during the decades of the “low fat is best” message being front and centre. Unfortunately, this means not all shakes are ideal for supporting moderately low-carb Mediterranean-style diets. Here are some things to watch out for:
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- Carbohydrates and added sugar – Many shakes contain quite a lot of simple carbs and added sugar, which makes them cheap to produce and improves their flavour after the tasty fat content is removed from the product. At The Fast 800 we prioritise quality by deliberately adding healthy fats and leaving out simple carbs and sugar. Consuming a moderately low-carb diet is more helpful for dealing with hunger and promoting weight loss. We recommend you look for a shake that contains a relatively low amount of carbohydrates and no added sugar. Read more about why here and here.
- Protein and fat – Higher levels of protein and quality fats are key in keeping you fuller for longer, providing a satisfying taste and texture and avoiding the requirement for added sugar. Protein and fats help to prevent cravings shortly after eating, feelings of hunger and help to preserve muscle mass, which is important for sustainable and healthy weight loss. Shakes containing nuts, seeds and similar high quality fats and proteins are better choices.
- Fibre – Fibre is often left out of shakes, but this nutrient plays a huge role in keeping you feeling full, improving digestion and promoting healthy ageing. Fibre also helps to create a balanced microbiome and maintain gut health. Make sure that the shakes you choose are high in fibre to maintain a healthy balance. Aim for between 25-30g of fibre per day, but see your doctor first if you have an inflammatory bowel condition.
- Micronutrients – Food is made up of macronutrients – protein, fats, carbohydrates and fibre – and micronutrients which are vitamins and minerals required to maintain good health. It’s always useful to choose a shake fortified with extra micronutrients. The recommended intake of minerals and vitamins should be available on the label of the shakes.
- Artificial sweeteners – These are added to shakes to replace flavour lost when fats are stripped from the product or to satisfy those with extra sweet tooths. However, even though they are virtually calorie-free, artificial sweeteners should be avoided. Though sweeteners can bring down the calorie content of a shake, they can also cause inflammation and lead to weight gain. Common artificial sweeteners to watch for are sucralose, aspartame and saccharin.
How we compare to others on the market
UK shakes comparison
Australian shakes comparison
The verdict from our nutritionist
The Fast 800 nutritionist Gabi said while protein and calorie content was similar between many of the products, The Fast 800 shakes excelled when taking into account carbohydrate, sugar and fibre content.
“Lower carbohydrates with higher fats and protein keeps you fuller for longer without energy crashes,” Gabi said.
“One serve of The Fast 800 shakes contains approximately a third of your fibre requirement for the day and a good balance of vitamins and minerals to complement your Mediterranean-style diet.”
Made from all natural ingredients, The Fast 800 shakes are packed with fibre, protein, healthy fats and 26 vitamins and minerals for quick and easy nutrition.
Check out the shakes shop for your favourite flavour!
Other ways to enjoy your shake
If you’ve got a little more time on your hands to shake up your shake, try some of these recipes:
https://thefast800.com/strawberry-pancakes/
https://thefast800.com/the-fast-800-hot-chocolate/
https://thefast800.com/chocolate-mousse/
https://thefast800.com/easter-protein-balls/
The content on The Fast 800 is meant to be informative in nature, but it shouldn’t take the place of qualified medical advice. If you’re looking to make a significant change to your diet and training regimen, or to replace a significant percentage of your food with shakes, please consult your medical professional first.
References 
Westcott, Wayne, et al. “Effects of Resistance Exercise, Aerobic Activity, and Increased Protein on Body Composition and Blood Pressure in Overweight Older Adults.” Journal of Exercise Physiology Online, vol. 22, no. 7, 2019, p. 52+. Accessed 8 July 2020.
