What People Want to Know
What is Medifast?
Medifast is a portion-controlled, nutritionally balanced, low fat and clinically proven program that helps people lose weight faster and more effectively than traditional diet plans. Medifast Meals come in individual packets that you mix with water, microwave, and/or refrigerate. Medifast is available in a wide variety of foods and flavors including shakes, puddings, soups/stew, chili, oatmeal, bars, and hot beverages.
How does Medifast work?
The Medifast 5 & 1 Plan was medically designed to create a calorie deficit, allowing your body to burn fat for energy. Each nutritionally balanced Medifast Meal is formulated with a proven combination of carbohydrates and protein, allowing you to successfully lose weight while maintaining lean muscle mass.
What does the Medifast 5 & 1 Plan consist of?
The Medifast 5 & 1 Plan consists of five (5) portion-controlled, nutritionally balanced Medifast Meals, plus one (1) "Lean & Green" Meal.
What does the Lean & Green Meal consist of?
The LEAN portion of the Lean & Green Meal consists of either:
five (5) ounces of cooked lean beef, pork, lamb, or
seven (7) ounces of cooked chicken, turkey, fish or seafood.
The GREEN portion of the Lean & Green Meal consists of:
2 cups of salad greens, with 1/2 cup of raw vegetables and 1-2 tablespoons of low-carb salad dressing - or
1-1/2 cups of low-carbohydrate cooked vegetables
Are there certain "approved" vegetables for the Lean & Green Meal?
All vegetables promote healthful eating; however during the weight loss phase of your plan, we do suggest that you avoid the "higher carbohydrate" vegetables in order to enhance your weight loss results. Once you transition to the Maintenance phase of the program, we encourage you to include ALL vegetables for long-term health.
Low carbohydrate vegetables used in conjunction with your Lean & Green Meal can be referenced through our Vegetable List (you'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access the list.
*NOTE: Carrots, corn, potatoes, peas, and Brussels sprouts should be avoided while in the weight loss phase of your Medifast Plan. Please add them to your diet once you transition to Maintenance.
What kind of snacks can I have on this program?
Medifast offers a variety of healthy, delicious snacks that can be used to augment the 5 & 1 Plan, including:
Apple Cinnamon Soy Crisps
Ranch Soy Crisps
White Cheddar Soy Crisps
Multi-Grain Crackers
Garden Vegetable Crackers
Savory Beef Fast Soup
Delicate Chicken Fast Soup
Robust Tomato Fast Soup
Other snacks you can have on the program: Three (3) celery stalks, one (1) cup of Sugar-free Jell-0, one (1) cup of bouillon, one (1) sugar-free popsicle, or two (2) dill pickle spears. Limit your snack intake to one a day.
TIP: Adding 1-2 tablespoons of sugar-free, fat-free pudding to the Medifast Shakes can count as your one snack for the day.
*NOTE: Eating more than one snack per day may hinder weight loss. For information on slower weight loss, please refer to our list of Plateau Tips (you'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access the list. To download the Adobe Acrobat Reader for free, click here).
Can I use Medifast Meals interchangeably?
One of the great benefits of Medifast Meals is that they may be used interchangeably. The bars should be limited to one per day (due to their higher caloric and carbohydrate content).
Can I substitute a sixth Medifast Meal for my one Lean & Green?
This is not recommended. In order to maximize effectiveness and to ensure that you get all the nutrition your body requires, the Medifast 5 & 1 Plan (5 Medifast Meals + 1 Lean & Green Meal) should be followed - unless otherwise recommended by your physician.
Is the meat serving size the cooked or uncooked weight?
It is the cooked weight.
How many calories are in the Medifast 5 & 1 Plan?
The Medifast 5 & 1 Plan provides between 800 - 1000 calories per day, depending on your personal selections.
Can I substitute frozen meals for my Lean & Green Meals?
Medifast does not recommend frozen dinners while on the plan - primarily due to their varying calorie levels, excessive sodium content, and lower protein levels.
Do any of the products contain MSG?
The Cream of Tomato and the Robust Tomato Fast Soup are the only two products that contain MSG.
How does Medifast sweeten its products?
Medifast uses a combination of fructose and acesulfame potassium to sweeten most products. This combination is used because we have found it to make the best quality products without contributing significantly to calories, sugars, or carbohydrates. Click the link below for further information about Acesulfame Potassium: http://www.ific.org/publications/brochures/acekbroch.cfm
There are sugar alcohols in some flavors of Medifast bars (Carmel Nut and the Diabetic Plus bars). There is no Aspartame or Sucralose in Medifast products.
What's the difference between 'Medifast 55' and 'Medifast 70' shakes?
"Medifast 55" Shakes have 90 calories and 11g of protein. The "Medifast 70" Shakes have 100 calories and 14g of protein. Medifast 55 shakes are recommended for women. Medifast 70 shakes are recommended for men and for women who are active or prefer a higher protein count.
What is the average weight loss amount per week?
Clinical studies indicate that most people tend to lose an average of 2-5 lbs per week with Medifast. The scale isn't the only test, so check other indicators such as waistline measurement, and how well your clothes are fitting you. Individual results may vary, and are dependant upon various factors such as your weight when you start the Medifast program, targeted weight-loss goal, level of exercise, presence of medical conditions, use of medications, accuracy with diet compliance, etc. As with most diets, Medifast suggests that you consult with your physician prior to starting a weight loss program.
Is Medifast safe?
Medifast has been clinically proven through a number of controlled studies. More than 15,000 physicians nationwide have recommended Medifast programs to their patients - and more than one million customers have safely used Medifast for over 25 years.
Additional information is available by accessing our medical information.
Are there any stimulants in the Medifast Products?
No. Medifast does not contain any stimulants, ephedrine, or other herbs that might be harmful to your body.
How much does Medifast cost?
Medifast food products cost about $10/day, $70/week, or $275/month when taking advantage of our convenient Variety Packages purchase option*. And since Medifast does not charge enrollment or membership fees -- you'll pay only for your food!
*NOTE: Costs may be slightly higher when purchasing on a per-product basis.
Most people find the cost of Medifast comparable to the amount they're already spending on groceries and dining out. Did you know that the average adult spends nearly $16/day on food? Between the grocery store and fast food, we spend much more money on food than we realize -- and we often don't make the healthiest of choices. At $10/day, Medifast represents significant cost savings for many people. When you also consider the additional benefits inherent in every Medifast Meal (doctor-formulated, vitamin-fortified, portion-controlled), Medifast equates to an even greater value.
Is Medifast covered under my insurance?
Weight loss programs are generally not covered by insurance, but please check with both your doctor and your insurance carrier for information relative to your individual circumstances. Some policies may cover weight loss programs in conjunction with specific medical conditions (such as primary diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and heart disease) in which obesity is a factor and weight loss can lead to management or improvement of these conditions.
But again, you will need to ask your doctor and your insurance carrier this question in order to receive an accurate answer based on your coverage and medical status. Medifast does not bill insurance companies on behalf of its customers.
Does Medifast have a support system on the web?
Yes - "MyMedifast" provides you with valuable tools, support, and information that will help you with your Medifast plan and assist you with nutrition, exercise, and motivation. An easy-to-use meal-planning tool is available - plus you'll be able to connect with other people in the Medifast community just like yourself. MyMedifast is offered at no additional charge - but is available only to Medifast customers. Medifast customers can visit www.mymedifast.com to register.
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