Probably most of you are aware of Wal-Mart's house brand, Equate, that they stick on various products that are clones of more expensive, name brand stuff, right? Can it be that the Equate clone of Slim-Fast is actually healthier than the name brand?
My cardiologist wants me to lose at least 25 pounds, and I've plateaued so I've taken to using the Equate version of Slim-Fast diet shakes as breakfast at least a couple of days a week. There are only three flavors. I'm not allowed any chocolate (at all), and I don't like the "strawberry" flavor, so that leaves French Vanilla. Last time I was in Wally World, they were out of the Equate so I splurged and bought Slim-Fast. When I got home I compared the nutritional data, and what I found surprised me. The Equate is not a straight, across-the-board clone.
Total fat: equal, at 6 grams. But ...
Saturated fat: Equate 0, Slim-Fast 1.5 g
Trans fat: Both 0
Monounsaturated fat: Equate 3.5 g, Slim-Fast not specified
Polyunsaturated fat: Equate 1.5 g, Slim-Fast not specified
Cholesterol: Equate <5 mg, Slim-Fast 10 mg
Sodium: Equate 180 mg, Slim-Fast 210 mg
Potassium: Equate 670 mg, Slim-Fast 600 mg
From there on (the vitamins and minerals) they're pretty much the same. The Wal-Mart house brand stuff has less cholesterol, less saturated fat, and less sodium. For half the price of Slim-Fast, what's not to like?