Medifast Diet Review
For: Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Medifast offers more than 50 years combined knowledge and experience along with world-class customer service, technical and medical support. The Medifast Diet has been recommended by thousands of physicians nationwide and used by more than 1 billion customers.
Medifast Diet Replacement Products
Its is a low calorie diet which would bring the rapid weight loss of 2-5 pounds per week. Medifast Diet is attempted by buying meal replacement products from Medifast that will nurture an optimal calorie and nutrient amount for both men and women. The Medifast liquid diet is clinically proved to be safe and effective by the physicians at John Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Medifast Diet has a fast weight loss plan employing meal replacements and real food. The program has been prescribed by doctors for many years - significantly for obese people. The Medifast brand is in the market since few decades. Earlier it was only available through
physicians. But technology today has made it available on everyone’s desk. It can be ordered on-line and through numerous distributors.
This Medifast Diet provides a steady plan of meal replacement products – they are commonly formulated to be low-calorie and low-fat and which contain optimum level of vitamins. The famous plan of Medifast brand is called 5 and 1. This plan consist of 5 meal replacement and one “real” meal having a lean protein and vegetables and salad.
The Medifast meals provide a 'no counting' approach to dieting since the meals are formulated with the correct balance of protein and carbohydrate. This makes Medifast Diet plan extraordinarily simple to follow and nutritionally balanced. Different formulations are applied for men and women. Some shakes are called Medifast 55 or Medifast 70. The latter has higher soy protein content and is more appropriate for men or women who prefer higher protein.
Lose weight without feeling hungry. Lose weight without shopping, cooking or counting. Medifast Diet's low-calorie, nutritionally-balanced meals taste great and are delivered directly to your door. Eat 5 Medifast Meals each day, plus one "lean and green meal." You will Lose weight without being hungry. Personalize it based on your gender, Medifast also offers diet plans for people with diabetes.
Medifast Diet is a healthy diet that makes quick weight loss simple. With the 5 & 1 Plan, there is no calorie counting, no points system, no diet pills and no confusion. The Medifast low calorie diet consists of clinically proven meal replacements designed to help you lose 2-5 pounds per week. Medifast is a healthy and low calorie diet that can help you safely have quick weight loss.
The Basics
The Medifast brand has been around for a number of decades, and at one time was only available via physicians. Nowadays the products can be ordered on-line and through a number of distributors.
Medifast offer a stable of meal replacement products - all generally formulated to be low-calorie and low-fat, and containing the optimum levels of vitamins. The formula will generally take users into a mild state of ketosis.
The most popular plan is called 5 and 1. This plan (800-1000 calories daily) comprises 5 meal replacements and one "real" meal containing a lean protein and vegetables and salad. Medifast claim a weight loss of 2-5 pounds per week on this plan.
Proof?
What many people don't realize is that very few commercial weight loss programs have ever undergone any clinical studies. Medifast heavily promote the fact that a Johns Hopkins university study has shown that Medifast results in significant weight loss (67 pound average loss in males and 57 pound average loss in females). It's worth pointing out that this study looked at patients who attended Medifast clinics.
There is also an additional study that compared the Medifast program with diabetes medication.
The study found Medifast more effective at controlling type 2 diabetes than an ADA-recommended program (see PR).
Both studies were led by Associate Professor Lawrence Cheskin of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and were funded by Medifast Successes Due to the popularity of the program, Medifast have a number of "success stories" - one of which is Nnedi Uzowihe-Igwe of Maryland, USA (currently featured on the Medifast site). She also appeared in People magazine in January 2006 describing a massive transformation that resulted in a 160lb weight loss between June 2004 and April 2005. Nnedi subsequently became pregnant and gave birth to her second daughter)
I was able to find out how Nnedi was going now, and she appears to have maintained her massive initial weight loss (and is aiming to lose the weight she put on with the second baby by the end of this year).
What you can expect
Drastic
Protein fasts and low-calorie meal replacements are a drastic solution, and in my opinion appropriate for drastic situations. Given the choice between gastric bypass surgery or Medifast, then Medifast must surely be a better answer.
The biggest test of a program such as Medifast is the long-term consequences - and in particular weaning off a program based around shakes and soups. The transition phase should be four to six weeks, and often starts off by introducing some oatmeal at breakfast, and some fruit for snacks. Also exercise must become a part of life (5 days a week). Exercise must be fairly low-key during the restrictive part of Medifast
- but once transitioning - it becomes increasingly important.
Due to the level of energy intake and exercise levels - it is likely that some muscle loss will occur during the weight loss phase. Once again, the best course of action would be to gradually include strength training during the transition phase - and begin to build up muscle tone.
Costs
The Medifast 5 and 1 plan cost $275 for 4 weeks. However - that's the cost of the "5" - you will still need to buy your daily "lean and green" meal (lean protein plus salad/vegetables).
Men & Women
Different formulations are used for men and women. Some shakes are called Medifast 55 or Medifast 70. The latter has a higher soy protein content and is more suitable for men (or women who prefer higher protein).
Behaviour Change Required
Behavioural changes are critical to the long-term success of Medifast. Unless these lifestyle changes are applied, then the weight could easily swing back on like a yo-yo. It's worth taking a look at the post 10 Questions To Ask Before Changing Your Diet.
Conclusion
I don't believe Medifast is for the person who wants to lose 20 pounds. This is a serious program for serious situations, and it may be advisable to follow the program while receiving regular support from a clinic, and even under medical advisement.
However ample proof exists that the program does work and can lead to significant weight loss provided the transition phase is followed correctly.