If it's important, I'm a nineteen year old girl. I gained about fifteen pounds my freshman year of college and senior year of high school. About a month ago I began using the Slim-fast plan to lose weight. My mother and I started it together, and it's working great. I'm sure to get about 1200 calories a day and I take a multivitamin and a calcium supplement besides the vitamins in the slim fast, but a friend just told me that it's not good for you to lose weight with Slim-fast. She didn't say why. I've looked at sites like Ivillage that rated the health and effectiveness of various diets and Slim-fast came out okay. Is it healthy for me or not?

Actually, a dietitian couldn't have written a better answer! It sounds like you are getting enough calories to protect your protein stores, and you are supplementing with vitamins and calcium (hopefully at least 1000mg and taken it at a different time of day than the multivitamin for best absorption). Be sure to eat foods from all the food groups for a variety of nutrients and fiber (ok, now I sound like a dietitian). Be sure to drink plenty of water and get 45 minutes of activity 3-5 days weekly. When you reach your weight goal, you can resume healthful, normal eating. With regular exercise, you should be able to maintain your weight.

                     ~The Doc