Optivia: Effective Companion For Frequent Travelers?

Optavia is a low-calorie, low-carbohydrate weight loss program that combines pre-packaged meals, or fuelings, with home-prepared recipes. The program offers several plans, all of which involve a mixture of packaged Optavia Fuelings and homemade meals known as Lean and Green meals. Optavia is owned by parent company Medifast, which is known for selling weight loss and health-related products. The Optavia diet is likely to help you shed pounds, but it may be hard to stick to if you are travelling or eating out with friends.

Optavia diet plans

Optavia is a weight-loss or maintenance plan that involves eating a mix of purchased, processed food created by the company and homemade "lean and green" meals. The plan is designed to be convenient, with no need to count calories or carbs. The Optavia diet is broken down into three plans:

• Optimal Weight 5 & 1 Plan: This plan involves eating five Optavia "fuelings" and cooking one "lean and green" meal per day. This is the most popular plan and is designed for rapid weight loss.
• Optimal Weight 4 & 2 & 1 Plan: This plan includes four daily "fuelings", one healthy snack, and two "lean and green" meals. It is meant to offer more flexibility than the 5 & 1 plan while still promoting weight loss.
• Optimal Health 3 & 3 Plan: This plan requires the most cooking and is aimed at those looking to maintain their weight rather than lose weight. It includes three "fuelings" and three "lean and green" meals.

The Optavia diet is based on eating six meals a day, sometimes with a snack. The meals are carb-controlled, with no more than 100 carbs per day, and are spaced out every two to three hours. The "lean and green" meals include five to seven ounces of cooked lean protein, three servings of non-starchy vegetables, and up to two servings of healthy fats.

The Optavia diet is convenient and easy to follow, with pre-portioned, packaged foods. It may be beneficial for those who need to lose a significant amount of weight and require a structured eating plan. However, it may not be sustainable in the long term, as it can be challenging to maintain results once you are off the diet. Additionally, the diet may not offer much education on tracking macros and may not promote the development of a healthy relationship with food.

Optavia's pros and cons

Optavia is a low-calorie meal-replacement diet that uses meal replacements such as shakes, bars, pre-packaged foods, and other small, calorie-controlled meals to create a calorie deficit to induce weight loss. The diet is sold by users-turned-coaches and is owned by Medifast, a meal replacement company. Optavia's diet programs have been endorsed by celebrities such as Buddy Valastro, also known as the Cake Boss, who lost 35 pounds on the diet.

Pros

• Rapid weight loss, particularly for people who need to lose a significant amount of weight.
• Convenience: Buying pre-portioned, packaged foods can be easy and convenient; there is little need to count calories or carbs.
• Reduced overweight and obesity risks: Losing just 5% of body weight can help reduce the risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, osteoarthritis, and various types of cancer.
• Improved blood sugar and cholesterol levels: Losing weight faster may be better for people with cholesterol and/or blood sugar issues threatening their health.
• Coaching support: Optavia offers support through its coaching program, which some users may find helpful.

Cons

• Nutrient deficiency: The diet may cause nutrient deficiency if calorie levels are too low for too long. Optavia plans also limit food groups, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which provide essential vitamins and minerals.
• Reduced sports performance: Dropping weight quickly can impair athletic performance and risk an athlete's health.
• Sales pressure: Critics have called the plan a pyramid scheme due to its multi-level structure. Users who complete Optavia's program are encouraged to become coaches, sell the company's products, and recruit new sales representatives.
• Cost: The plans can be expensive; five fuelings cost about $17, not including tax and shipping, or the groceries you buy for lean and green meals.
• Hunger: Low-calorie diets typically cause extreme hunger, fatigue, and other undesirable symptoms.
• Not sustainable: Optavia's diet programs do not offer much education on keeping track of macros, and it can be hard to maintain results once you're off the diet.
• Not suitable for everyone: The 5&1 plan is not suitable for pregnant or nursing people, those who exercise 45 minutes per day or more, teens, older adults who are sedentary, or people with diabetes or gout.
• Safety concerns: Optavia is not recommended for anyone who is pregnant or under the age of 13. There is also an extensive list of safety concerns and restrictions for individuals who may be interested in trying this diet.
• Lack of qualified coaches: Most of Optavia's coaches are not certified health professionals and are unqualified to give dietary or medical advice.

Optavia's cost

Optavia is a low-calorie, low-carbohydrate weight loss program that combines packaged meals, called "Fuelings", with home-prepared "lean and green" meals. The cost of the program depends on the specific plan chosen and the number of products purchased each month.

The Optimal Weight 5 & 1 Plan, Optavia's most popular plan, costs $511.50 for 154 servings, or $396.50 for a kit with nearly 30 days of Fuelings. This plan involves eating five Fuelings and one lean and green meal per day.

The Optimal Weight 4 & 2 & 1 Plan costs $515.15 for 179 servings. This plan includes four Fuelings, two lean and green meals, and one snack per day.

The Optimal Health 3 & 3 Plan, designed for weight maintenance, does not have a set price as it depends on the number of products purchased. This plan includes three Fuelings and three lean and green meals per day.

In addition to the cost of the plans, there is also the cost of groceries for the lean and green meals, which must be prepared at home. The cost of these meals will vary depending on the specific ingredients chosen.

The cost of Optavia can be quite expensive, with kits ranging from about $350 to $500 per month. The high cost of the program, combined with the additional expense of groceries, may be a significant financial burden for some individuals.

It is important to note that the cost of Optavia does not include the services of a coach. Optavia Coaches are previous clients who are paid on commission for the products they sell. While they provide support and guidance throughout the program, they are not certified health professionals or trained in nutrition.

Overall, the cost of Optavia is a significant factor to consider when deciding whether to undertake the program. The expense of the plans, combined with the cost of groceries, may be a barrier for some individuals. Additionally, the reliance on packaged meals and the lack of nutritional guidance from Coaches may be further drawbacks.

Optavia's coaches

To join Optavia, you must first connect with a coach. You will meet with your coach daily for the first four days, and then determine an optimal schedule for one-on-one meetings going forward. Optavia coaches are not certified nutrition professionals, and they are not qualified to provide dietary or medical advice.

The one-on-one coaching may be helpful for weight loss. One study found that individuals on the 5&1 diet who completed at least 75% of the coaching sessions lost more than twice as much weight as those who participated in fewer sessions. However, it's important to note that this study was funded by Medifast, Optavia's parent company.

Optavia's effectiveness

Optavia is a low-calorie, low-carbohydrate diet that combines prepackaged meals with home-prepared recipes. The diet is designed for weight loss and involves eating a set number of prepackaged "Fuelings" each day, alongside one or two low-carbohydrate meals that you prepare yourself. The diet also recommends avoiding alcohol, sugary drinks, desserts, high-calorie condiments, starchy vegetables, and whole grains.

Optavia offers several plans, all of which involve a mixture of packaged Optavia Fuelings and homemade meals known as "Lean and Green" meals. The most popular plan is the Optimal Weight 5&1 Plan, which includes five Optavia Fuelings and one Lean and Green meal each day. Other plans include the Optimal Weight 4&2&1 Plan and the Optimal Health 3&3 Plan, which offer more flexibility and are designed for weight maintenance.

The effectiveness of the Optavia diet has been reviewed by several experts, with varying opinions. Some experts state that the Optavia diet can lead to short-term weight loss, especially for people who need to lose a significant amount of weight. The diet is also convenient and easy to follow, as it requires minimal food preparation and there is no need to count calories or carbs. Additionally, Optavia offers coaching support, which can help individuals stay on track and increase their chances of success.

However, there are also potential downsides to the Optavia diet. One of the main concerns is the very low-calorie intake, which may not be sustainable or healthy in the long term. The diet may also cause nutrient deficiencies, reduce sports performance, and lead to extreme hunger and fatigue. The cost of the Optavia diet is also a factor to consider, as it can be expensive, especially when factoring in the additional cost of groceries for Lean and Green meals.

Overall, while the Optavia diet may be effective for short-term weight loss, there are questions about its long-term effectiveness and potential health risks. It is always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any restrictive or low-calorie diet.

Frequently asked questions