Optavia diet! This is the name of a weight loss diet that Medifast Inc. advocates. It has celebrity endorsements and has been gaining popularity over time. What foods are allowed in this diet? Is it effective for slimming? What are its disadvantages, if any?
Optavia diet
Optavia diet is a popular trending diet for weight loss. In 2018, it was highly google searched and remains popular even now. The term sounds fancy. Medifast Inc., a multilevel marketing company introduced this diet. But despite the firm getting a fine of $3.7 million in 2012 for false advertising, the diet has also got celebrity endorsement.
Optavia diet (Source: Optavia)Former Cake Boss star Buddy Valastro has spoken high of this diet. He attributed his remarkable slimming success to this diet. In 2018, he shared on his Instagram:
“A lot of people have been asking me how I’ve slimmed down lately, so I just wanted to share that I’ve used the Optavia program,”
Further, he clarified:
“I’m not being paid to say this, and it should be noted that I think everybody is different, and you should do whatever suits you, but this is what I’m doing, and I’m very happy with the results so far!”
Diet details
This diet advises no restrictions per se. But it is not all that easy as well. There are dietary caloric restrictions. Moreover, the slimmer has to purchase certain specific pre-made foods for it. It promises rapid weight loss as a short term solution.
But despite the success, it has low rankings on the health scores. U.S. News & World Report reveals that it is on position 27 on the Best diets list. About it, the report says:
“Though you might lose weight quickly with Optavia, the meal plan scored particularly low for healthy eating.”
Optavia diet (Source: Everyday health)Dietitian from New York, Jaclyn London says:
“In my experience, the calorie restriction on Optavia is far too extreme for most people — especially those who are choosing it as the first step in establishing a healthier eating pattern and lifestyle on the whole,”
And she continues:
“While accountability and community are key components to any behavior change program, behavior modification with restrictive eating patterns sets some of us up for disordered eating habits and restrict–binge–restrict tendencies.”
More on the diet
In this diet, the slimmer has to consume a mix of processed, premade food from the company (fuelings) and homemade “lean and green” meals. There are 6 portion-controlled meals daily. The fueling options are around 60 in number and you can choose from them. These are as shakes, biscuits, soups, puddings etc. But most of them have in it a protein source and a probiotic.
Optavia diet (Source: Good housekeeping)The company has recently also launched foods for those with diabetes and for elderly over 65 years of age. Their diet coaches (with no medical training) help and guide you on the program.
Your own cooking should offer you foods that are lean and green. These can be around 5–7 ounces of cooked chicken, fish, egg whites, turkey, or soybean, 3 servings in a day of non-starchy vegetables such as greens, lettuce, celery, or cucumbers and 1 or 2 servings of healthy fats such as olives, its oils, or avocado.
Additionally, this program advises half an hour of daily moderate grade exercises. And after you achieve your desired weight, there is another secondary plan to maintain that weight.
Read more: What is the Zone Diet? Plus points and criticism!
The criticism is about the premade foods that would have unhealthy and harmful additives. The calories restrictions of 1000 calories could cause disordered eating.