Medifast Review

Overview

Medifast is a portion-controlled meal replacement program designed to induce a calorie deficit through a structured plan that includes six meals each day. Medifast replacement meal options—you choose 5 per day—include shakes, soups, stew, chili, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, and a variety of drinks, desserts, and snacks. All Medifast replacement meals contain a balanced mix of protein, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other nutrients.

How does the Medifast diet work?

In addition to five meal replacements each day, dieters on the Medifast plan also prepare one, heart-healthy “Lean & Green Meal” consisting of a lean meat plus salad and/or vegetables. The Lean & Green meal contributes necessary calories and dietary fiber and teaches dieters how to select and prepare healthy meals while still enjoying the convenience of a structured plan.

When followed as directed, Medifast causes the body to enter a mild fat-burning state within the first week. This fat-burning state is a normal adaptive mechanism the body uses to manage energy and prompt the release of fatty acids. This mild fat-burning state—also called dietary ketosis—helps the body achieve faster weight loss while preserving muscle tissue. The fat-burning state also helps naturally reduce appetite and hunger while sustaining sufficient levels of energy.

All Medifast meals are low in fat and include foods that have a low-glycemic index which make Medifast a preferred program for people with type 2 diabetes. A number of Medifast foods are also certified gluten-free by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization.

Once dieters reach their goal weight, they begin transitioning from the Medifast meals to their own cooking. The Medifast Maintenance Plan is designed to reintroduce healthy foods into a dieter’s daily routine while increasing calorie intake to meet your body’s individual calorie requirement for long-term weight maintenance. The Maintenance Plan uses clinically proven principles of nutrition and portion control to retrain the brain and body for a lifetime of healthy, portion controlled eating.

The Medifast program addresses the need for support and offers a number of different options to accommodate each dieter’s preferences. Dieters can choose to get information and encouragement from MyMedifast.com—an online support community; work directly with a physician; visit a Medifast Weight Control Center for personalized counseling and meal planning; or participate in Take Shape For Life and get access to a knowledgeable Health Coach who will provide program guidance.

Program Cost*

Medifast has no membership fees. Therefore, the only cost is for the daily meal replacements purchased through Medifast. Program meal packages begin at about $11 per day (approximately $80 per week or $315 per month. Depending on options selected at checkout, additional shipping charges may apply. Add-ons like snacks and flavorings and supplements are purchased separately.

*Pricing reflects available cost details as of January 2012.

Pros and Cons

Medifast is a very successful plan. Once you have ensured that its limitations won’t be bothering you, you are good to go. Consult the relevant professionals before starting the plan just to be sure. These may include your physician, a dietician and experts on the Medifast program.