The Medifast diet consists of structured meal replacements designed to help you lose weight quickly. Designed by medical professionals, the diet creates a calorie deficit without limiting your intake of certain foods such as carbohydrates or protein. Medifast meals are portion-controlled, low-calorie and designed to meet daily nutrient and vitamin requirements. Meet with your physician to discuss whether Medifast is the appropriate weight loss program for you.
Function
Developed by a physician in 1980, the Medifast diet began as a medically supervised meal replacement program. While the program still offers medical supervision, dieters are now able to purchase products directly from the Medifast website or a local Medifast Weight Control Center. In addition to products and meals, the program offers online support from other dieters and "Health Coaches," weight loss tools and meal options depending on your dietary needs or preferences. According to the Medifast website, you can lose between 2 to 5 lbs. a week depending on your weight, activity level and medical conditions.
Plan Options
Medifast offers dieters an enhanced meal package or a standard 28-day meal plan. A standard meal plan consists of five pre-packaged Medifast meals and one home-cooked "Lean & Green" meal, which includes 5 to 7 oz of lean or meatless protein, zero to two servings of healthy fats and three servings of vegetables. The enhanced meal package includes all the elements of the standard meal plan plus dietary supplements and three bonus meals.
Types
Medifast offers meal plans for men, women, diabetics, vegetarians and individuals who exercise on a daily basis. Each plan includes a variety of products that can be purchased online, including shakes, scrambled eggs, pancakes, soup, oatmeal and various hot and cold beverages. Foods are delivered to your home or a local center.
Cost
According to the Medifast website, the program costs approximately $11 a day or $299.50 per month as of November 2010. A 14-day plan may be purchased for $154.50 or $11 a day. Other items or products, including puddings, pretzels, shakes, meal bars and supplements may be purchased separately for an additional cost. These products cost around $15.50 per box and may be purchased to enhance standard meal programs. Discounts or promotions are offered for purchasing a certain amount of products or for VIP members.
Considerations
The MayoClinic.com recommends medical monitoring and observation for those following a low-calorie diet such as Medifast. Following the diet while consulting a physician helps you avoid complications and ensure you're getting the proper amount of nutrients and vitamins. While extreme diets like Medifast often lead to weight loss, they may also lead to other complications that come with quick weight loss including loose skin, health risks and regaining weight once a regular diet is resumed. The Medifast program is not recommended for pregnant women or individuals who have severe kidney or liver disease, cancers, an eating disorder or clotting disorders.
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