The name “Optavia” might sound like it’s from a life-insurance firm or a fancy eyeglasses brand – but it’s actually a popular weight-loss plan from Medifast Inc., a multilevel marketing company. It also was fined $3.7 million in 2012 for false advertising. In this program calories are restricted. It advises its followers to buy special “fuel” to lose weight.

Although it retains a reputation as a short-term solution for rapid weight loss. But the methods used in Optavia programs have not always been well received. Well, through this blog we will tell you how right and wrong the diet plan program is for weight loss. We will share with you its side effects, benefits and other information in a person’s life.

What is Optavia?

Optavia is a program that promises to help individuals achieve their health goals. This program has been becoming increasingly popular among people for the last few years. 

It is a process of weight loss. It promises to help people lose weight through a combination of purchased, small pre-packaged meals and home-made “lean and green” meals.

This is a meal kit plan that aims to help people lose weight fast. If someone wants to lose weight then he may find this Optavia very attractive.

In this diet plan, a person has to take 5 small meals a day. In which you are given food every two to three hours. The product offered is what Optavia calls “lean and green” food. Lean and green food is one you prepare (vs. eating food that comes in the mail). Recipes are given in the app and you have to prepare a low-carb meal that is rich in protein.

How does Optavia work?

Let us know about Optavia’s program in detail.

Low calorie, High Protein

The program offered by Optavia consists of low-calorie meals. In which a person needs only 800-1000 calories per day for weight loss. Portion-controlled meals (called “fuel” in Optavia-speak) tend to be high in protein and low in carbohydrates and fat.

Optavia fuelings

In this, the person is allowed to take six small meals per day. Five of them are “fuel”. Which they should take every 2-3 hours. Optavia food, or as we call it, “fuel”. These are pre-packed portion-controlled meal replacements. You have to buy these directly from Optavia. Following are some examples of the fuels:

• The bars
• Shakes
• Bouillon
• Pancakes & Cereal
• Mashed Potatoes & Mac & Cheese
• Hot chocolate

By using these “fuels” you can have a very different and balanced diet from the rest of your family.

“Lean and Green” meals under the program

The 5 & 1 Optavia plan allows the individual to eat one “lean and green” meal per day. This is food that you are expected to prepare yourself. This includes 5 to 7 ounces of lean protein, three 1/2 cups of non-starchy vegetables and up to two servings of healthy fats.

To give you an example, a 5 ounce chicken breast with 1.5 cups of broccoli would be considered a “lean and green food.”

Hydration

In addition to the above meals, the diet system calls for drinking 64 ounces of water each day.

Side effects of Optavia

As you have been told above that the amount of calories in the fuel given in it is very low, in such a situation one can also become malnourished. Because when you eat such a low-calorie diet, you do not get the nutrients required on a daily basis like vitamins, minerals and proteins in proper amounts.

For this we are giving you an example –

That’s how low in calories the Octavia is. It showed a 40-year-old woman who was 5’7″ tall and weighed 200 pounds. While moderately active he requires more than 2200 calories per day to maintain his weight. But the diet given in Optavia allows for just 800-1000 calories per day.

Following a very low calorie diet may have some side effects. Many of these side effects include:

• Low energy level due to malnutrition.
• Deficiency of nutrients.
• Hair thinning and hair loss
• Gallbladder Stones

Cost of Optavia per month

We have given you almost all the information about Optavia. Now we will tell you what is the per month cost of Optavia. It is quite valuable. The cost each month is about $400 or more. Its price depends on which plan you select. 

If you want to invest in your health. So if you have extra money, you can use that $400 each month to support long-term, sustainable habit changes. You can try eating more nutritious whole foods, joining a gym, or even purchasing some home workout equipment to improve your overall health. And from this, you can improve your health and also save money.

How did Optavia ruin lives?

It has ruined the lives of many people and made them sick. Because people often rely on processed foods and are led to believe that home-made food replacements are healthier than regular meals. 

After taking these, one feels lethargic and many people also experience constipation. Problems like stomach problems, cramps and irregular bowel movements have also been observed.

He often started having problems in lifting weights. The person begins to crave foods that are strictly prohibited on the optavia program, such as sweets, pasta, rice and bread. Stamina was reduced, making it difficult to run or walk long distances and often feeling tired and lethargic. Due to extreme calorie deficiency, sleep problems started occurring.

However with the Optavia 5&1 plan, some people experienced a weight loss of 20 pounds within the first 10 weeks. And, the longer you stayed on the program, the more weight you lost.

Conclusion

Through this blog we can conclude that, while on one hand optavia claims to help people lose weight, it has also been found to have side effects on their health. Besides, its scheme is expensive which is out of the budget of common people. 

Frequently Asked Questions