BROWSE DIETS

Medifast - Diet Review

Medifast - Diet Review on-line program

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

This Medifast plan is made up of 5 meal replacements per day (generally shakes, but there are also bars, soups, oatmeal, 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. 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 are currently offering 1 week’s free food with purchase. 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.

This weight loss program is generally only used by the very overweight (BMI >= 30). It will only suit some people, and beware of slowing your metabolism leading to subsequent weight gain.

See More

Medifast - Diet Review - Official Site.

User Reviews

  • Jeni
    June 15th, 2009

    Medifast is by far the best weight loss program I’ve ever tried! I love it, and although I’ve bumped myself out of ketosis several time due to a birthday party, family reunion, and a concert, I’ve still lost 25 lbs. and 2 pant sizes, in less than 2 months! I can’t wait to lose the other 35 lbs. that I have to lose! And, because of all of the nutrients I’m getting, my nails are growing like crazy! It takes dedication, but it’s so worth it. It has changed the way I look at food! And, the people that say you’ll gain all the weight back, obviously missed the whole point of this plan. You can’t go back to eating the way you did before Medifast, and you have to exercise! It’s a lifestyle change!! If you’re desperate, try it, and remember that it takes about 3-5 days to enter ketosis, but once you’re there, you ARE NOT HUNGRY!!! Which, for me, is a wonderful thing:)

  • Betsy
    June 14th, 2009

    Been on Medifast for a week. Lost 12.5 lbs and 14 inches. Feel awesome. Did Herbalife in 2001 and lost 50 lbs….30 in one month.By end of 9 month went from a size 24 to a 14. Felt great. I find Medifast much more satisfying, tasty and don’t need to take tons of pills which were expensive. Must drink lots of water on each…and be strict on the diet plans. Had Dr. supervising both diet plans. Get monitored, don’t play around with the rules…NO ALCHOLOL…a must……be serious and go for it. Preference for me is Medifast.

  • Tony
    May 22nd, 2009

    I agree with Sherry.

    True, the shakes are “ehh.” But low carb, high protein shakes in cans also taste “ehh.”

    The theory is to be in a constant small state of ketosis (hence, “Death Breath” which can be overcome with a breath mint such as Altoid).

    No fiber? Take Metamucil or some other fiber supplement. Eat 2 1/2 cups of greens (most people don’t eat the green part of Medifast and then complain).

    Warning: exercise is a must AND alcohol is a serious no-no (breaks the ketosis, the basis of Medifast).

    Concerning putting on weight again, Medifast helps you break bad eating habits and lifestyle changes. If you revert back to cheeseburgers and beer (with no exercise), of course you will gain it all back.

    Compared to Dan Marino’s diet, whatever works! I tried Nutrisystem and thought the food was pretty bad. Jenny Craig is expensive. Try Medifast and use common sense AND READ THE DIRECTIONS (eat one lean and green meal per day and really eat the vegetables). And exercise and no alcohol!

  • Lucy
    May 7th, 2009

    Lost weight really quickly, but gained it back doubly fast and THEN SOME. It messed with my metabolism. The food tasted awful, I had DEATH BREATH, and it killed my social life. I could only eat real food once a day, and only meat and vegetables. Yeahhh… not quite the best plan out there.

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  • christie
    May 2nd, 2009

    I am so sick from Medifast, gassy and bloated all the time, feeling full and just terrible. What is wrong with me? I don’t have a gallbladder anymore, is that maybe the reason why I cannot digest this stuff?

  • kathi
    April 16th, 2009

    Medifast is a great diet!If you are disciplined to do it and have the mind set to succeed you will be successful! I have lost 50 pounds since January 09. I workout 3-4 times a week and make sure I drink lots of water. It works..think positive..

  • Christine
    March 18th, 2009

    I lost 65 pounds using Medifast and have kept off all but about five pounds for a year now. It requires a lot of discipline but it is worth it. As my doctor said when I asked him “What’s a good diet?” he said, “Anything that works!” Well, this works. Make sure you drink at least the 64 ounces of water recommended. You’ll need it for better elimination, since your digestion does slow down a lot due to hardly eating any bulk. They recommend fiber supplements, too, in case it’s necessary. I’ve never bothered though. The way I look at success with Medifast is this: The fact that the food isn’t all that great reinforces the feeling of not eating “real” food, thereby avoiding my addiction altogether, much like an alcoholic or smoker has to avoid their addiction altogether to be successful. You get into that mindset and you’ll do great; all the while acknowledging that you’re keeping yourself fed. Make sense? I recommend it.

  • wendy
    January 7th, 2009

    Medifast DOES work. It induces a relatively mild state of ketosis and if you really stick with the plan, you will lose weight and lose it rapidly.
    My faults with the plan: I am not that overweight and I enjoy running, so the calorie count is a little low for me and others who are already active.
    Medifast is overly expensive. While you won’t be able to get the same super quick results with most low-cal diets available on store shelves (they contain too much sugar), before you spend money on Medifast, be prepared to really stick to the diet and be very aware that most of the food tastes bad! Also, as others have stated, it is important to be committed to maintenance! No matter what diet or lifestyle change you are attempting, you will backslide if you reach your goal and then slack off.
    Those of us who carry extra weight have to be constantly vigilant about our diet and exercise. Not fanatical, just be aware that this diet is worth it if you are willing to put in the effort and $$$.
    Best wishes to all!

  • Kendell
    December 29th, 2008

    I lost the weight SUPER FAST!!!! This is my all-time favorite diet. My chocolate obsession is satisfied with the chocolate shakes. Warning… most of the “foods” are horrible, stick with the shakes!

  • Mandy
    November 5th, 2008

    this diet works really will. I know because I lost 79 pounds

  • Don
    September 18th, 2008

    I can’t stand the shakes and teas because they have so much artificial sweetener in them!

  • John
    September 4th, 2008

    This diet really works, i lost 65 pounds in year. . . though it took great dedication and exercise. I believe anyone can achieve their goal through this diet/weight loss program. I recommend you try!

  • tiffany
    July 22nd, 2008

    My sister went on it and lost 70 lbs…not to mention that her gall bladder and kidneys shut down and she was hospitalized!!
    not a great diet for the severely overweight because you have to maintain a healthy amount of calories still to let your body function correctly.

  • Angela
    July 9th, 2008

    Great diet if you want to live on less than 1,000 calories a day. Products are full of soy and most taste awful. Yes weight loss can be rapid, just like the rate of weight you will re gain once you start putting real food in your mouth. Try LA Weight Loss if you want to eat real food and lose weight at a reasonable pace. And don’t believe everything you read about them either. I was not pressured in to buying any of their products and the diet doesn’t cost as much as people says it does either. Way less than a $1,000 for 52 weeks including 52 weeks of maintenance. Add up what Jenny Craig would be costing you!

  • Sherry
    June 17th, 2008

    Best weight loss program ever! Why? Because of the increase in your health! Live longer, feel better and look awesome! Oh and sleep like a baby.








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    Last modified: August 31, 2008