If you are interested in a rapid weight loss plan that provides most of the food you eat instead of requiring you to come up with your own meals, you might be considering the Medifast system. Medifast provides a wide variety of food products to choose from and caters to a wide range of dietary requirements. However, while the program is effective and convenient, there may be dangers for some people.
Medifast
The Medifast system is a meal replacement plan. The replacement foods include shakes, soups, puddings, stews, hot beverages, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, cheese puffs and meal bars. Medifast foods tend to be high in protein and low in carbohydrates. The goal of Medifast is to send the dieter into a fat-burning state of mild ketosis, in which the body produces ketones as fat is burned for energy instead of carbohydrates. Dieters using the Medifast system usually consume between 800 to 1,000 calories per day and lose between 2 and 5 lbs. per week, according to the manufacturers.
Options
Medifast provides meal-replacement options for diabetics, men, women, vegetarians, lactose intolerant individuals and people who want kosher or low-glycemic foods. Some individuals, such as nursing mothers, teens and people over 70 may be able to use a modified version of Medifast under a doctor's supervision. The plan also provides assistance for transitioning from weight loss to weight maintenance when you have reached your goal weight.
Methods
Dieters on the Medifast system can expect to eat six times a day. Five of these meals are Medifast meal replacement foods and the other is a meal consisting of 5 to 7 oz. of meat, eggs or tofu, depending on the protein source, along with three servings of vegetables and a small amount of healthy fat. Dieters should consume a minimum of 64 oz. of water every day while on the Medifast system. At least 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day is recommended, but no specific advice on how or when to exercise is provided.
Concerns
The severe calorie restriction while using Medifast may be dangerous, since it is far below the 1,200 to 1,500 calorie limit normally considered safe for unsupervised weight loss, according to Medline Plus. The Medifast diet may also be dangerous for some people, such as those with pre-existing kidney or liver disease, according to the Medifast website. You should consult a physician before trying Medifast to determine if you have any conditions that could contradict the use of this diet plan. The cost of Medifast meals can also cause concern for some people. The price of Medifast varies with the specific foods chosen, but averages about $75 a week as of March 2011.
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