um- no. you don't need to drink your meals when you're on slimfast- there are meal bars too. it doesn't matter if your calorie intake is from liquids or solids they're exactly the same- and as long as you eat sensibly to match your calories burned- you won't gain any of the weight that you lost. don't listen to the people that don't know from experience. go to www.slimfast.com. it has work for a lot of people including me and you learn better eating habits.