Medifast is a low-calorie diet for weight loss. Each day on the Medifast Five and One plan includes a single Lean and Green meal, with vegetables and a protein food, as well as five small Medifast meals of your choice, such as shakes, bars, scrambled eggs, oatmeal or pudding. The diet may be healthy in some circumstances, but get your doctor's approval before starting Medifast or any other weight loss program.
Weight Loss
Medifast can be healthy if you have a lot of weight to lose and your doctor recommends a diet for rapid weight loss. The Medifast Five and One Plan provides about 800 to 900 calories per day, and claims that the average weight loss on the diet is 2 to 5 lbs. per week. For most people, the healthiest, most sustainable rate of weight loss is 1 to 2 lbs. per week, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, faster weight loss can be healthy in some circumstances.
Individual Needs
Medifast claims that its plans are appropriate if you are over 70 years old or under 18 years old, if you are on medications or if you have type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure, but only under a doctor's supervision. You can have up to two daily Medifast Health Management Shakes, which are designed for individuals with specific health needs. For example, Medifast Plus for Joint Health has glucosamine and chondroitin to strengthen joints, and Medifast Plus for Women's Health has black cohosh to reduce symptoms of menopause. Consult your doctor if you have special medical needs.
Nutrient Adequacy
Medifast is a very low-calorie diet, but you are likely to meet your vitamin and mineral requirements because Medifast meals are fortified. Most meals, such as cheese puffs, bars, fruit drinks, hot cocoa and oatmeal, have at least 20 percent of the daily value for most vitamins and minerals. Since you eat five Medifast meals per day, you should get 100 percent of the daily value. Many choices are lactose-free, kosher, caffeine-free or vegetarian to fit within your dietary preferences.
Long-Term Effectiveness
Medifast can be a healthy choice because it can help you maintain your weight loss even after you stop using the program. After you reach your goal weight, you go through the Medifast Transition plan, which takes eight to 16 weeks, depending on how much weight you lose. The plan gradually increases your calorie level and increases the variety and amount of regular foods in your diet, while decreasing the number of Medifast meals that you eat. At the end of Transition, you should be ready to stop using Medifast and cook for yourself.
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