Dante Carrillo
The Medifast diet, now known as Optavia, is a weight-loss program that involves replacing meals with branded, portion-controlled, low-calorie, low-carbohydrate, and low-fat food products. While the diet has been shown to be effective for weight loss, some dieters have reported experiencing digestive symptoms such as gas, constipation, and diarrhea. This has been attributed to certain ingredients in the meal replacement products, such as xantham gum and carrageenan gum, which have been associated with gas and bloating in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet type | Portion-controlled, low-fat, low-carbohydrate, low-calorie |
| Food sources | Meal replacement foods from the Medifast company |
| Calorie intake | 800 to 1,000 calories per day |
| Meal plan | Five portion-controlled, nutritionally-balanced Medifast meals plus one "Lean & Green" meal |
| Weight loss | 2 to 5 lbs. per week |
| Side effects | Gas, constipation, diarrhea, gallstones |
| Cost | $400 to $450 for three weeks' worth of food |
| Medical supervision | Not required but recommended |
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What You'll Learn
Medifast's low-calorie, low-carb, low-fat content
The Medifast diet is a portion-controlled, low-fat, low-carbohydrate, low-calorie diet plan that utilizes meal replacement foods obtained from the Medifast company. The diet was created and is marketed by Jason Pharmaceuticals, based in Owings Mills, Maryland. It was founded in 1980 by Dr. William Vitale and was originally a medically-supervised weight loss program.
The Medifast diet is intended to produce rapid weight loss at the start of a weight-loss program for people who are moderately to extremely obese. It is a low-calorie diet, with a daily calorie intake of between 800 to 1,000 calories per day. During the weight loss phase of the diet, dieters follow a 5 & 1 meal plan that consists of five portion-controlled, nutritionally-balanced Medifast meals plus one Lean & Green meal. The Lean & Green meal consists of two cups of salad greens with a half cup of raw vegetables.
The Medifast diet is low in carbohydrates, with dieters eliminating fruits, dairy, and starches during the weight loss phase due to their high carbohydrate content. During this phase, dieters are directed to eat only one and a half cups of low-carbohydrate cooked vegetables, avoiding carrots, corn, peas, potatoes, and Brussels sprouts. The diet is designed to induce ketosis, which is a state where the body uses ketones produced from stored fats for energy, releasing free fatty acids and reserving glucose for essential needs.
The Medifast diet has been reported to cause digestive symptoms such as gas, constipation, and diarrhea. These issues may be caused by certain ingredients in the Optavia shakes, such as xantham gum and carrageenan gum, which have been associated with gas and bloating in people with irritable bowel syndrome. Some people also experience digestive upset from whey or soy protein isolate, which are ingredients found in Optavia's Fuelings.
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The role of xantham gum and carrageenan gum in Optavia shakes
The Medifast diet is a weight loss program that relies on meal replacement food products purchased from Jason Pharmaceuticals. The diet is portion-controlled, low-fat, low-carbohydrate, and low-calorie. The daily calorie intake on the plan is between 800 to 1,000 calories per day. Medifast has since been replaced by an offshoot program called Optavia.
Optavia is a diet that encourages replacing regular food with branded supplemental snacks and meals. Optavia Fuelings are designed to be nutrient-dense and portion-controlled. Optavia Fuelings do not contain colours, flavours, or sweeteners from artificial sources. However, some dieters have reported digestive symptoms like gas, constipation, and diarrhea on the Medifast or Optavia diets.
These issues may be caused by two key ingredients in Optavia shakes: xanthan gum and carrageenan gum. Both are safe food additives, but have been associated with gas and bloating in people with irritable bowel syndrome, per the University of Arizona Health.
Xanthan gum is a food additive used as a thickener or stabilizer. It was discovered by scientists in 1963 and has since been well-researched and determined to be safe. The FDA has approved it as a food additive and placed no limitations on the amount of xanthan gum a food can contain. It is often used in combination with carrageenan to stabilize milkshakes, yogurts, and dairy desserts. Xanthan gum provides emulsion stability and water retention to different kinds of toppings and ensures both excellent flow and a good cling.
Carrageenan, or carrageenan gum, is a type of hydrocolloid that forms gels when combined with xanthan gum. Carrageenan provides emulsion stability and water retention to different kinds of toppings and sauces. It is often used in combination with xanthan gum to stabilize milkshakes, yogurts, and dairy desserts.
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Whey or soy protein isolate in Optavia Fuelings
The Medifast diet, now Optavia, is a weight-loss program that involves replacing regular meals with branded meal replacements. It is a portion-controlled, low-fat, low-carbohydrate, and low-calorie diet plan. The daily calorie intake on the plan is between 800 to 1,000 calories per day.
Some dieters have reported digestive symptoms like gas, constipation, and diarrhea on the Medifast or Optavia diet. These issues may be caused by two key ingredients in Optavia shakes: xantham gum and carrageenan gum. Whey or soy protein isolate, ingredients found in Optavia's Fuelings, may also cause digestive upset for some people.
Optavia offers a range of soy-free Fuelings that use alternative protein sources such as whey or pea protein isolate. These include:
- Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, which use milk protein concentrate, whey protein isolate, nonfat milk, and egg whites as protein sources.
- Sour Cream & Chive Mashed Potatoes, which also use milk protein concentrate, whey protein isolate, nonfat milk, and egg whites.
- Honey Sweet Potatoes with Brown Sugar and Cinnamon, which use a protein blend of whey protein isolate, milk protein concentrate, and nonfat milk.
- Buttermilk Cheddar Herb Biscuit Mix, which uses a blend of rice flour, pea protein isolate, whey protein isolate, whey, and eggs.
- Cheesy Buttermilk Cheddar Mac, which uses wheat protein isolate as its primary protein source.
- Dark Chocolate Covered Cherry Shake Mix, which is made from a blend of milk protein concentrate, whey protein isolate, and pea protein isolate.
These soy-free Fuelings aim to offer a similar nutritional profile to their soy-based counterparts and are designed to cater to those with soy allergies or those who prefer to avoid soy in their diets. Optavia also offers Fuelings that contain soy or soy protein isolate for those who do not have allergies or preferences against soy.
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Medifast's meal replacement structure
The Medifast diet is a portion-controlled, low-fat, low-carbohydrate, and low-calorie diet plan that uses meal replacement foods obtained from the Medifast company. The diet was created and is marketed by Jason Pharmaceuticals, based in Owings Mills, Maryland. It was founded by Dr. William Vitale in 1980.
Medifast is a weight-loss program that relies on meal replacement food products purchased from Jason Pharmaceuticals. There are over 50 different meals to choose from, including shakes, bars, drinks, oatmeal, chili, soups, and puddings. Each Medifast meal is about 100 calories, and most weight loss plans involve four or five Medifast meals per day. The daily calorie intake on the plan is between 800 to 1,000 calories per day. During the weight loss phase of the diet, the dieter follows a 5 & 1 meal plan that consists of five portion-controlled, nutritionally-balanced Medifast meals plus one Lean & Green meal. The Lean portion of the Lean & Green meal consists of a salad with raw vegetables and a low-carb salad dressing.
Medifast's 4 & 2 & 1 Plan has been shown to be effective for producing steady, significant weight loss over 24 weeks in a broad population of adults who are overweight or obese. The program is also effective for weight maintenance for those who enter this phase.
Some dieters have reported digestive symptoms like gas, constipation, and diarrhea on Medifast. These issues may be caused by two key ingredients in Optavia shakes: xantham gum and carrageenan gum. Both are safe food additives but have been associated with gas and bloating in people with irritable bowel syndrome. Some people also experience digestive upset from whey or soy protein isolate, ingredients found in Optavia's Fuelings.
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The cost of the Medifast diet
The Medifast diet, now known as Optavia, is a weight-loss program that involves purchasing meal replacement food products from Jason Pharmaceuticals. The diet is portion-controlled, low-fat, low-carbohydrate, and low-calorie, with a daily calorie intake of between 800 to 1,000 calories per day.
Some people may find the Medifast diet costly, especially when compared to other diet plans or their previous eating habits. However, it is important to note that the cost of the program includes access to a personal independent Optavia Coach, who provides guidance and support throughout the weight loss journey. This coaching aspect is considered a benefit of the program, as research has shown that individuals are more successful in their weight loss efforts when they have a support system.
The Medifast website offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and a loyalty program that provides a 5%-10% discount on the next shipped order. For example, if the 30-day Go plan is ordered for the first month, the second month will cost $296.10. The 30-day programs are considered more cost-effective due to free shipping.
While the initial cost of the Medifast diet may be higher than some other plans, some individuals have reported that they spent less on the Medifast diet than they did on eating out regularly. Additionally, some argue that the cost of the diet is worth it to improve their health and avoid potential future medical expenses.
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Frequently asked questions
The Medifast diet is a portion-controlled, low-fat, low-carbohydrate, low-calorie diet plan that utilizes meal replacement foods obtained from the Medifast company.
Some dieters have reported digestive symptoms like gas, constipation, and diarrhea on the Medifast diet. These issues may be caused by two key ingredients in Optavia shakes: xantham gum and carrageenan gum.
Other side effects of the Medifast diet include gallstones, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and muscle loss. The diet has also been criticized for its extensive use of supplements to replace whole foods.
The Medifast diet consists of branded supplemental snacks and meals, including shakes, bars, drinks, oatmeal, chili, soups, and puddings. It also includes one "Lean & Green" meal that you prepare yourself, which consists of lean protein, starchy vegetables, and beneficial fats.
The Medifast diet promises rapid weight loss, with claims of weight loss at 2 to 5 lbs. per week. An April 2015 report by Johns Hopkins Medicine, however, found little evidence that users of commercial weight-loss programs, including Medifast, were able to maintain weight loss long-term.
