Medifast is a very low-calorie structured meal replacement weight loss program that has been helping the obese lose weight since 1980. On the Medifast plan, you drink five Medifast shakes, or eat one of their calorie-controlled food items, and eat one regular meal consisting of a lean source of protein and a nonstarchy vegetable. With obesity rates reaching epidemic proportions, more and more people are choosing any of a number of meal replacement programs as a means to help them lose large amounts of weight quickly. Consult with your physician before starting any weight loss program.
Optifast
Like Medifast, Optifast is a low-calorie meal replacement program. The Optifast weight loss plan replaces all of your meals with one of their shakes, soups or meal bars. You do not eat any other food items on the Optifast plan. The Optifast shakes come in a variety of flavors including vanilla, chocolate and strawberry; each contains 160 calories and 14 g of protein. Soup choices include chicken noodle and garden tomato, each with 160 to 170 calories and 14 g of protein. The Optifast meal bars also contain 160 to 170 calories and 14 g of protein. In addition to the weight loss products, the Optifast program also offers comprehensive medical support throughout the program and nutrition counseling to help you keep the weight off as you transition back to regular food. People who follow the Optifast plan lose an average of 52 lb. over a 22 week period, according to the Optifast website.
Smart For Life Cookie Diet
The Smart For Life Cookie Diet is similar to the Medifast program, but instead of shakes, it uses cookies. On the plan, you eat six Smart For Life cookies throughout the day and eat one meal consisting of a lean source of protein, such as chicken or fish, and 5 cups of a nonstarchy vegetable such as green beans or broccoli. Cookie choices include chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin and blueberry-flavored. Each cookie contains 100 to 105 calories and 5 to 6 g of protein. In addition to cookies, Smart For Life also offers cupcakes, cereals, soups and shakes you can use as a meal replacement item. You can lose 10 to 15 pounds a month following the Smart For Life Diet, according to the company website. In addition to the food items, Smart For Life also offers medical monitoring by obesity specialists at their clinic sites.
Slim-Fast
Slim-Fast is a commercial alternative to the Medifast meal replacement program. Unlike Medifast, Slim-Fast products can be easily found in most grocery stores and pharmacies. On the Slim-fast plan, you drink two Slim-Fast shakes or eat two Slim-Fast meal bars a day, three healthy snacks consisting of fruits and vegetables and a sensible calorie-controlled dinner. Slim-Fast shake flavor choices include French vanilla, dutch chocolate and cappuccino and contain 190 calories and 10 g of protein. The Slim-Fast meal bar choices include chocolate peanut caramel and chocolate nougat gone nuts each with 200 calories and 9 g of protein. The Slim-Fast plan provides about 1,200-calories a day and the company website reports a 1 to 2 lb. weekly weight loss.
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