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Medifast – Diet Review
Medifast is a low calorie diet that will bring about rapid weight loss – in the region of 2-5 pounds per week. The diet is undertaken by purchasing meal replacement products from Medifast that will provide an optimal calorie and nutrient amount for both men and women.
The 5 and 1 Plan
The most popular Medifast diet plan is “5 and 1″. This plan comprises up to 5 meal replacements per day (generally shakes, but there are also soups, stew, chili, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, fruit drinks, iced teas, hot drinks, bars and puddings). In addition to the meal replacements, 1 meal per day is a “lean and green” meal – a small portion of lean meat, and generally up to 2 cups of salad or vegetables.
The lean meat must be grilled, poached, or baked (but not fried). You eat every 2-3 hours, and must drink a minimum of 64oz of fluid (water) per day.
Caloric intake is between 800-1000 calories per day. Medifast recommend having supervision from a physician – however you can order the food without this.
While there are 70 different pre-packaged foods, the most popular items are the shakes – made up of differing proportions of protein.
Medifast has optimized vitamins and minerals to ensure there will be no deficiencies while reducing calories.
Medifast Advantage
If dieters sign up for Medifast’s membership program, they receive significant savings and benefits as opposed to their standard plan.
Medifast are currently offering the following incentives with Advantage membership.
- Free standard shipping on qualifying orders
- Free 56 Medifast Meals – 28 with this order, and 28 with your second order ($132.00 value!)
- Free BlenderBottle® – a must-have for mixing your Medifast Meals
- Free Online meal planner and support community
- 5% off your third and future Medifast Advantage orders
Offer ends soon. Click here for special offer.
Maintenance Plan
Once the desired weight is reached, the Medifast plan involves a gradual transition back to ‘normal’ meals over a period of about 16 days. Beyond this, Medifast recommend 1-3 Medifast meals daily and a moderately intense exercise routine (e.g. 30-45 minutes 5 days per week). This is essential to keep the weight off.
Successful Weight Loss?
Medifast is one of the more successful and balanced low-calorie diets – it has been trialled successfully at John Hopkins Weight Management Center, among other places.
There are numerous success stories from overweight people who have successfully used Medifast to drop their weight down to manageable levels.
Proof and Research
A number of clinical trials and studies have been conducted on Medifast. Here are a few of the latest:
- 2009 – Showed that the 5 & 1 program out performed other programs with similar calorie levels. At 4 months weight loss and body composition was more improved than other programs, and retention rates were higher. (link)
- 2008 – Looked at a 52 week impact of Medifast Meal Replacements. Results showed that retention was better than other weight loss programs, and significant and sustained weight loss was the outcome. (link)
Things to Be Aware of
This weight loss program is generally only used by the very overweight (BMI >= 30). It will only suit some people, and partnership with a doctor would be helpful. One of the primary criticisms aimed at these kind of programs is when the client returns to “normal” food. This is why the maintenance phase is very important and this process should be followed for as long as possible.
Costs can vary, but the typical cost is around $75 per week. To get the maximum benefits be sure to order to enrol in VIP membership and purchase only 4-week orders (rather than 2 week orders).
References
- Coleman, C., Davis, L. M., Rampolla, J., Kiel, J., Hutchisen, T., Ford, L., et al. (2009). Efficacy of Medifast’s 5&1 meal replacement program compared to a food-based diet for weight loss and weight maintenance: 4-month weight loss results. FASEB J. , 23, LB453-.
- Haddock, C., Poston, W., Foreyt, J., DiBartolomeo, J., & Warner, P. (2008). Effectiveness of Medifast supplements combined with obesity pharmacotherapy: a clinical program evaluation. . Eat Weight Disord. , 13 (2), 95-101.
I am starting this diet next week. I heard from one of my freinds to go to a website called simpletolose.com, and you will get a free “coach” that you can work with the entire time on the program. It is through a section of Medifast, and it is legitimate. I ordered food for the month, plus four boxes of snacks, a blender bottle, and shipping all for $278.00. Can’t beat that! I have about 15-25 pounds to lose, and heard that I will lose it very quickly, and then that I MUST follow the transition and maintenance parts of the program. I also heard that the first three days are HELL. So, not looking forward to that!
The main reason I want to try Medifast is because I heard that on this program, hunger is not an issue (after the first three days, anyway!). Is this true?
Jan,
You would understand that if you called the 800 number they explain the 3rd week your body is adjusting to losing so much weight. You need to stop weighing yourself so damn much. Please weigh only 1 time per week and realize that 3rd week is the hardest week because your body is trying to stop you losing weight…after that the body will begin losing again.
Just started 2 weeks ago, first week lost 7lbs, 2nd week gained one lb. I’m so confused, I HAVE NOT cheated. I eat my 5 & my one lean & green & lots of water. I truely dont understan & I’m very discouraged
I just need some “help”! Ok, so I am over weight obviously that’s why I am on medifast. Today is day 3 and I can say I have NEVER cheated, not one Cheerio not one fishy cracker…..but here’s my issue. I have gallstones and I was told that by loosing weight it would help as well as lowering my fat intake drastically. Because i would really prefer not having surgery, i wanted to try other things first and surgery last fesort. So I saved my money up, got medifast, got the energy, motivation and determination and started. Well now I am starting to get gall bladder attacks very often…so far the pain is bearable BUT not comfortable or manageable for too long. I called medifast and they said they aren’t a dr and to call mine…well it’s the weekend and obviously they aren’t open….I just don’t know what to do!! I am so upset and frustrated! I just can’t win, they say loose weight, then I do and it’s too much too quick and I get bad gall stone attacks…wtf?! Any advice would be great! Thank you!,,
I would guess that both of these issues are the results of being overweight for many years and not than result of being on Medifast.. Large Kidney stones take a lot longer than two months to form.
I’ve been on medifast for 10 days and i’ve lost 10 lbs. The first three days were torture, but after that I have barely been hungry. I am, however, a very picky eater. I only like a few of the bars and the shakes. I also only eat chicken. I am getting beyond bored of eating the same thing every day, so much so that I skip medifast meals (which I know is not healthy) because I can’t bare the thought of having another bar. This diet has definitely “reset” my system to barely being hungry anymore, and with such amazing results I refuse
to stop being on it. I would recommend this diet only if you have a lot of willpower and are not a picky eater. By best advice would be to get through the first three days before you decide to continue or not.
after being on this Diet for more than six months my wife and I both had to have our Gallbladder removed and I also had to have a very large kidney stone removed has anyone else had this problem?
I’ve been on this diet since the middle of April, 2011 and I’ve lost 118 pounds. It’s by far the easiest diet I’ve been on and the food was suprisingly not bad. I don’t care for everything but they offer you a variety of things so you’re bound to find something you like.
I started this diet in October 2011 and have consistently lost weight, now a total of 45 pounds. I enjoy the nutrition bars, eggs, oatmeal and pancakes the most. I’m not a great fan of the other products, but everyone is different so you have to see for yourself. What I like most about the diet is that it has given me a new sense of portions and portion control.
The absolute worst. Don’t waste your money. The food is so awful it is unbelievable. You WILL lose weight, but you will not be able to last because it is so bad. The “shakes” are powder floating on water. The bars are flavored rice. The meal was truly inedible. Yuck! I sent it all back.
I’m on week 3 of my Medifast diet and I’ve lost 22 pounds already! I’m hitting the gym for 2 hours everyday so that’s helping me a lot. I do agree that results will vary from each person on it so go at a pace that is best suited for you. I plan to lose 100 pounds in 13 weeks. I’m getting married to the man of my dreams & I can now see a size 6-8 wedding dress in my near future instead of a size 22. I highly recommend the Strawberry Cream Shakes & also the South Western Style Egg Whites. I add a little Equal for more sweetness to the shakes plus ice in a blender to make it as yummy & as close to taste as the ones from McDonald’s but for only 90 cals! With the eggs, I add a dash of sea salt with a bit of mild hot sauce & wow does it help. The Eggs can be dry if you don’t add a little extra water to the mix. I added the recommended amount then I measure out about 1/4 cup more. I cook them in the microwave for 90 seconds first, then take them out to stir & then put them back in for another 30 seconds & yum!-breakfast is served! I have tried pretty much every meal item Medifast offers & out of everything, those South Western Flavored Egg Whites really keep me full. Thanks Medifast!
I am a newbie to MediFast but so far I have been doing well. Like some others have said, you really have to want this. You have to understand that it is a lifestyle change and once the weight is lost you cannot go back to your old habits but that you will be able to eat “normal” healthier foods again. This program teaches you portions and I like that they work with you after you have met your goal. I only started on Tuesday so my first weigh in isn’t until next week but I’m excited to see the results. I use the cookbook that I recieved when I signed up for my dinners and so far they have been delicious. It is definitely what I look forward to after being good all day. Drinking the proper water helps if you happen to get hungry but I really have been quite satisfied. Some of the foods are not that wonderful with being soy based but some really are delish. My favorite’s so far are the Cheese Pizza Bites, Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars and the Brownies! Definite dislikes are all of the “New Formula” pretzels…yuck! As well as the puffs that they offer…didn’t like the parm or chilli ones
I think the most important thing is to have support from your family/friends and to remember where this program will ultimately get you. My goal is 100 lbs. by Memorial Day weekend 2012 and to still be nice and trim by my wedding day in October of 2012! I take vitamins and lots of them so hopefully the hair loss problems that some have had won’t be an issue. Good luck to anyone else in their journey with MF!
I did Medifast 3 years ago to lose 30 pounds to go on a tropical vacation. In just 30 days on the shakes and bars along with extra calcium and vitamins, I lost exactly 30 pounds! I kept if off for 4 years! However, a year ago, I was in a bad accident and wasn’t able to get around well and during that time, I gained over 100 pounds from just sitting around in pain and with no exercise. I’ve recovered so 1 week ago, I bought Medifast again through the Take Shape For Life program but this time, I got the shakes in 3 flavors, some of the soups and the eggs. I skipped the bars because I’m not really a fan of sweets everyday. Plus some of those bars are so good, I was over eating them in the past.
Yes, the Cream Soups take some getting used to and my very first taste of the South Western Style Eggs was terrible but over the past week and with a weight loss of 8 pounds so far, I found that adding a dash of salt light, a little bit more water to the mix and some ketchup on the eggs, they have become my all time favorite food. Why? Because their warm for breakfast & they really fill you up if you drink a large glass of ice water with them. I love the chocolate shakes and the strawberry isn’t bad either. Vanilla and Banana in my opinion are terrible and taste chalky to me. My goal is to lose 100 pounds by Christmas and since I get to work out again, I joined the 24 Hour Fitness Gym and I’m putting in 4 hours ( yep! true!) of Cardio plus weights 5 days per week. I’m using the idea for this plan from the Biggest Loser TV Show. Since the gym is open 7 days a week and never closes, I do a 2 hour workout every 12 hours 5 days per week and then hike or bike ride on the weekends. If you get out there and move and not cheat on the Medifast diet, it really works great! The saying goes, “Nothing taste better then being skinny feels.” Good Luck to all!
I’ve been on MF for four months and have lost 40lbs. Bottom line is it works. HOWEVER – the food is TERRIBLE!!! The only thing I can choke down is the cold drinks, and only if I drink them very fast. I find myself cheating more and more because I can’t stand the thought of facing one more bar or drink. The first week I was on the program, I broke down crying more than once because it is simply way too strict. But it is a good plan if you can stick to it and if you have a family. The 5-and-1 program appealed to being able to still cook for my family.
I invested $1400 in a center for 29 weeks of program support, 8 weeks of stabilization and then 52 weeks of maintenance (above and beyond the cost of “food”), thinking I would have more support and help with behavior modification (terrible stress eater!). I have found it to be nothing more than a weekly weigh in, and occasionally a lecture when I gain or don’t lose more than 2lbs that week. I have absolutely NO support with this program and am now considering cutting my losses and moving on to something else so I don’t gain back what I have already lost.
If you have the discipline to stick to it to a tee, then go for it! It does work. But I found that I quickly tired of the routine and it doesn’t offer enough variety to stick to long term.
me too lost a LOT of hair and so did my friends on Medifast. Ive lost many of pounds over the years both fast and not so fast and never lost a hair, Some thing is not right with medifast to lose so much hair. Your body is suffering if you are losing hair. I thought: if I am losing hair like this, what in the world is it doing to my body?????
I started with the Take Shape For Life program using the Medifast product May 11, 2011. To date, I have dropped 44 lbs; 7″ lost in my waist and 7″ lost in the hips. (other losses other places, but not as dramatic as this).
I have struggled for over 20 years; tried many different diets (including prescription drugs) and they never worked because they were DIETS. This is a program which teaches you how to eat and exercise appropriately for your age and physical condition.
For those who are outside of the USA, it is currently not sold. Sorry! This may very well change in the future so keep looking.
For those who do not have a Heatlh Coach, there are many available at no cost to you. It helps to have people who support and encourage you. We find answers to your questions, as well.
I am a Medifaster and, not only is the weight coming off, but I am making life-long changes to the way I eat, exercise, and live. I am not hungry, don’t feel like I’m starving, and sometimes have to force myself to eat everything because I’m simply not hungry. I am an online customer (i.e. there are no counselors or meetings or annoying people) and MF’s online support and discussion boards are great for support and getting questions answered.
I eat five meals a day that I purchase from MF. They have shakes, bars, brownies, soups, and many other options. My sixth daily meal is a combination of one lean protein serving and three green (vegetable) servings. I am also allowed healthy fats, condiments, and snacks on this plan.
I have a personal allergy to processed foods and most preservatives. I have not a reaction to any of the MF food. While the MF foods are designed to provide a good source of nutrients, I take my daily multivitamin and a Biotin supplement to ensure that I am getting enough of everything I need. The Biotin helps my hair, nails, and skin remain strong, which is common MF complaint.
For those considering the diet — you need to be READY to lose the weight yourself. You need to work at making changes to your life and LEARN from the plan. You also must do everything, you can’t pic and choose what parts to follow, the diet will not work. After you lose the weight, you WILL gain it back if you go back to living like you did before. You cannot return to eating poorly and not exercising.
To critics — Do not blame the diet for your shortcomings in following it. Learn from the diet. No diet is an end all fix all. The diet isn’t for everyone, but if you do your research and feel it’s for you, give it all you got. Don’t cheat – eat your food, drink your water, and measure your food.
HAIR LOSS HAIR LOSS – MY HAIR THINNED OUT SO MUCH IT WAS A HORROR FOR ME
where can i buy medifast things in south africa
I started the program in Feb and have lost 62 pounds with 3 pounds to go to meet my goal. My BMI has gone from 31 to 21.9 and will settle in at 21.4. I love the program. It has been easy and I have rarely been hungry. I am committed to following the program through transition and into maintenance. I will not gain back the weight. I have had a free health coach through the process and the support has been great. She lives across the country from me so everything has been done over the phone, email, and fb.
If you like starving this is the diet for you. I lost 13 lbs in about 6 or 7 weeks hate the food even threw some of them out after I am done with whats left of my food I am done. Jenny Craig was better lost 35 lbs on that. Powdered is not healthy I dont care what my coach says it is a diet. I will do the rest on my own on portion control is very important which we seems to ignore. And no junk snacking in between and after all this I am still hungary its just not worth the growling stomach
I’m considering going on MF to lose about 30 lbs. Met with a MF counselor at one of their centers yesterday to discuss paying for their “program” of weekly visits with a counselor (in addition to the meal play).
Anyone want to share their experience with the counseling program? Some of my questions…
1. What value did the counselors add? Was it just a weigh-in?
2. Did you see the same counselor every visit? or did you see whoever was available at the time?
3. Did the counselors know much about nutrition, the supplements, etc? or were they primarily salespeople?
4. If you had to do it over, would you pay for the counseling program? or do it online? or do it on your own?
I did well on this diet, I lost 37 pounds in about 14 weeks however had my gallbladder removed Tuesday. Never had a issue before with my gallbladder. Repaid weight loss is a common cause to gall stones.
Hi All. Let me start saying that I have done almost all types of diets and pretty much nothing worked for me! I am a mother of 2 and a nurse and Medifast is just amazing for the type of life that I have. It is so easy and so practical! I pack my bag the night before with my 5 meals a day (I have tried almost all food at medifast) and I also split my 500 calorie meal in 2. That said, I have breakfast and lunch (250K each) and i am good the entire day! I do not feel hungry! the caramel crunch bar, the ready to go dutch chocolate, the chicken noodle soup and the chocolate pudding are my fav!!! Sometimes I add broccoli or carrots to the soup, its delicious! I have lost 42 pounds in 3 months. The good thing is that I dont need to kill myself at the gym anymore and with the support of my family everything becomes so much easier. I do my 30 minute walk 3 times a day and thats it. I highly recommend this diet! Just make sure you dont cheat and that you plan ahead what you will eat. If you have a dinner one night, do your best to east lean and the 5 meals before the dinner and dont go more than the 500K calorie in the meal. I dont think Medifast is that expensive plus I want to look healthy and proud of me! Every penny is worth! Good luck to all of us!!
This is my 2nd attempt with medifast. I lost 45lbs 5 yrs ago. I managed to keep 1/2 of it off and now am losing 20 again. The shakes, bars and oatmeal are all I order. Do not like the meals and am to lazy to dress them up. Do have fun with the lean and green though. My advice to newcomers is, make SURE you wean off properly by following the medifast program. I did not and gained back alittle very fast. My friends did it correctly and had much better results. All in all, this diet is my favorite. YOUR BREATH WILL BE AWFUL. Keep sugar-free altoids in your pocket!!!!!!!!!!!! Good luck and do not be discouraged the 1st week…no energy. I ususally will start this on a wed. By sun. I need the sofa:-)))Monday, I can work and feel better.