Medifast: At a Glance
Utilizing meal replacement products, the Medifast plan assists people in their quest to shed unwanted pounds and maintain an optimal weight thereafter. Just like other plans with meal replacements, like Slim Fast, the Medifast plan has dieters consume 5 of their meal products in a day, with one healthy meal prepared by the dieter, so the plan is known as the 5+1 plan.
A clinical and professional site is part of the Medifast website. There isn’t a lot of hype or outrageous claims in the way the information is presented. What it does offer is straight-up information about its diet products, an easy to navigate website, and links to more information and articles for those who want to read up.
The Medifast company started in 1980, and they also maintain many weight loss centers throughout the United States and it was named as a successful small company on the Forbes top 200 list. The company relies on doctors and nutritionists as consultants, and the website provides the names of doctors that advocate the use of the Medifast plan.
Some other positive things about the website include: extensive testimonials with links to dieter’s personal blogs, and a very informative FAQ section. The website gives the results of clinical studies done on some parts of the diet, and goes into the separate plan designed for people with Type 2 diabetes.
Medifast: Facts
The Medifast plan involves purchasing meal replacement products, portioned in various amounts depending on which plan is selected, and one “Lean and Green” meal, as mentioned earlier. Three basic plans are available: the 4-week basic plan costs $299.50 and includes all the replacement meals necessary for the entire time span, plus 3 additional meals; the Enhanced Super Omega-3 plan costs $327.50; and the Momentum Weight Loss plan costs $353.50. The final plan increases the metabolism by use of caffeine and green tea to speed up weight loss.
Medifast replacement meals have such food items as shakes, bars, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, soups, fruit drinks, puddings and cappuccinos. The Lean and Green meal should have both a protein in the form of meat, fish or a meat alternative, in addition to three vegetables low in carbohydrates. On the website, a chart is available with the various protein options and a list of vegetables that can be eaten.
Medifast: Positive Features
- The Medifast company has been around for a while and is an established company.
- Clinical proof that Medifast works as advertised is provided on the website.
- Vegetarians and diabetics can use this plan.
- The ease of use of this plan eliminates having to weigh food or count calories.
- A complimentary shaker jar will be received with each plan option.
- Support is available in the form of community online forums and dieticians.
- People who follow the plan can expect to lose a medically recommended 1-2 pounds per week.
- Plans for the Medifast system are available for both men and women, and from those who suffer from diabetes.
- Replacement meal samples may be purchased a la carte.
Medifast: Negative Features
- The website is difficult to navigate because there are so many links and different sections for the information.
- The Medifast diet is quite costly.
- It may be a dangerous plan for some people, especially those who are highly active, since the plan only provides about 800-1000 calories per day, which is extremely low.
- Since the diet requires meals every 2-3 hours, it is somewhat inconvenient and may not be possible for all people.
Medifast: Conclusion
There is an excellent online community to support those who subscribe to the Medifast plan. If a dieter decides to join as a VIP Member, which is free, then he or she is entitled to 2 weeks of free replacement meals, advice from a professional, and a 5% discount on any VIP Memberships in the future.
Although Slim Fast diet plan is less expensive than Medifast, Slim Fast doesn’t offer the support, extra information on nutrition and fitness, and the convenient delivery options that Medifast offers.