Slim Fast encourages shedding pounds (and inches) as fast as possible.

Who has time to be healthy?

Not that the Slim Fast plan was ever a nutritious, rational option (in what world is ONE meal a day a good idea?), but their newest tagline just kills me.

“Slim Fast! Who has time to slim slowly?”

Awesome. Wonderful. Great thinking, Slim Fast! Because really, nothing could improve the ever-growing rates of obesity, eating disorders, and overall jacked up attitudes regarding food and body image like promoting a quick-fix diet solution!

Just to bring us back down to Earth (I’m sorry, I know how fun the magical, unicorn-filled fantasy world of easy, instant weight loss can be), here are some facts about slimming down too fast. According to WebMD, possible serious risks of dropping pounds too quickly include:

* Gallstones, which occur in 12% to 25% of people losing large amounts of weight over several months.

* Dehydration, which can be avoided by drinking plenty of fluids.

* Malnutrition, usually from not eating enough protein for weeks at a time.

* Electrolyte imbalances, which rarely can be life threatening. Continue reading →