The Medifast Diet is one of the most popular weight loss programs on the market today. This is not a new diet, infact, Medifast has been around for 27 years. The Medifast diet has been clinically proven to be safe and effective. A study organized by John Hopkins University revealed that the 15 individuals were able to complete the diet plan. They lost a total average of 45 pounds with some individuals losing about 65 pounds. The subjects that were selected had type 2 diabetes and were highly obese. The study revealed that these subjects not only lost the weight, but they were also able to reduce the amount of insulin required, and in some cases they stopped using insulin totally.

Medifast is a good plan for those who don't want to shop, count calories, and measure food. Those looking for convenience and time saving ideas may like the Medifast system.

Medifast Program

Medifast is a four-week low-calorie (800 - 1000 calories per day) diet built around meal replacement products (shakes, bars) and prepackaged foods. The "5 and 1" program includes five meal replacements and one "lean and green" meal that you make yourself. With Medifast you can lose 2-5 pounds a week. Medifast’s delicious meals make dieting quick and easy. Get one week free. . Physician monitoring is recommended while you're on the program to ensure you lose weight safely.

The Medifast plan works by selecting a plan (women, men, diabetics ect...). You then choose a two or four week "starter package" and any extra meal replacement items you want. The items are then shipped to you. You also have the option to build your own two or four week menu.

Medifast meals include your choice of:

• shakes
• soups
• stew
• oatmeal
• chili
• hot and cold drinks
• scrambled eggs
• bars
• puddings

You can choose any of these items for your 5 Medifast meals. The lean and green meal consists of 5 to 7 ounces of lean protein and 3 vegetables off the Medifast vegetable list.

Medifast Plans:

• Medifast 5 & 1 Plan for Women
• Medifast 5 & 1 Plan for Men
• Medifast 5 & 1 Plan for Diabetics
• Medifast Transition and Weight Maintenance Plan
• Medifast 980 (special promotion at medifast1.com or medifast980.com: extra week of supplies for same price as four-week package)

Pro's:

• Simple: you eat meal replacement products and cook only one meal per day.
  
• Promises fast weight loss
• The meals take very little preparation.
• Medifast takes the guess work out of dieting.
• Special shakes, etc. with supplements for various health conditions or concerns.
• Support message boards available through the Web site
• Daily Success Tracker

Con's:

• Little emphasis on nutrition, fitness or wellness education.
• Reliance on processed foods and meal replacements rather than real food.
• Recommends physician supervision without ensuring it -- weight loss may not be safe if participant doesn't adhere to the Medifast Diet..
• Costly: $275.00 for four weeks of food.

Medifast claims to make weight loss simple by eliminating the need to make " healthy choices " – you eat what they send you, plus one meal a day. Yet several weight loss experts emphasize the importance of learning how to make good decisions about what to eat and taking care of our health.

Your the one in charge of your weight loss journey so ultimately the decision is totally up to you, but I hope that you will check out my recommendation below. I have first hand knowlege of eDiets and it offers sound advice without having to sacrifice great tasting food.

My Recommendation:

eDiets.com teaches that diet and weight loss programs are highly individual choices. They provide a wide variety of choices and plans. eDiets has found that customization, convenience and cost are large factors for those of us seeking weight loss. eDiets transends in all three of these areas. Their website contains up to date information on food, exercise, and lifestyle change. They offer great support with member chat rooms, weight loss challenges, expert online meetings, online counselors and nutritionists. Their FREE eDiets Profile is a great way to get started.

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