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- Established: 1980
- Founder: Dr. William Vitale
- Headquarters: Owings Mills, Maryland
- Stock Symbol: MED
- Accessibility: Online
- Diet Type: Meal Delivery, Meal Replacement, High Protein
Do You Know the Best Diet Pills of 2024?
Save time and energy by never having to grocery shop, count calories or cook your meals again. Medifast meal delivery service will send high protein meals directly to your home. By controlling portions, nutrients and calories, Medifast users can expect to lose 2-5 pounds per week for the first two weeks on the Medifast 5 & 1 Plan and 1-2 pounds per week thereafter.
The Medifast Plan menu consists of shakes, bars, soups, and other sides you can pair up to create your diet or the day. Medifast offers 70 meal choices to satisfy different palates and dietary requirements. Kosher, low glycemic, lactose-free and vegetarian diets are all supported by the Medifast plan. Medifast even has specific plans for the unique needs of women, men and diabetics.
Medifast's success has been proven in multiple clinical studies, the Medifast website offers dozens of real-life testimonials, and its products and programs have been recommended by more than 20,000 doctors since 1980.
A John Hopkins study found the Medifast plan helps dieters quickly and safely lose weight by decreasing the amount of calories they consume each day. The study also found that participants with type 2 diabetes lost 2 times the weight of individuals following the American Diabetes Association's dietary recommendations. Medifast also shows positive results in participants with other illnesses, like hypertension and high cholesterol.
All of the Medifast products are available online, but Medifast does offer some physical centers throughout the country, in Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia. You can choose to go to a center, but you can complete the program online just as easily.
Medifast YouTube Channel
Medifast Recipes at iFood TV
Meal Replacement Shake Review
- Convenient, pre-packaged foods sent to your home
- Reasonably priced
- Large variety of foods so there is something for everyone
- Encourages and incorporates exercise
- Clinically proven weight loss
- Doctor recommended
- Provides detailed weight loss maintenance plan
- Plans made for diabetics and other medical situations
- Quick Start Guide available at TrustMedifast.com
- Must cut carbs
- May be tough transitioning back to regular diet
- Low-calorie diet has its critics
- Makes social situations harder to manage
A sampling of feedback and experiences shared by our community.
I am a 48 year old male with a fairly unactive lifestyle. On May 16, 2011 I started the Medifast diet following the 5/1 plan. My starting weight was 325 lbs. I am 11-1/2 weeks into the diet and have lost 58 lbs.
I come from a family of excellent cooks. Are the food offerings gourmet quality? No. However, they aren't, in general, as horrible as people say. Sure, there's a few clunkers out there but, for the most part, there are so many varieties that you should be able to find your way through. - Greg 8/5/11
I am 49 yrs old...5"5" and I started my program Aug 8th 2010 at 172 lbs I lost 45 lbs in 14 weeks! It's easy and the results are rapid. The first week I lost 8.5 lbs and the first month 17.5 lbs and then I averaged about 2.5 lbs a week. I have been reading lots' of discouraging people on here in regards to the food. Yes, there are some of the meals that you will not care for. But, you will figure out your likes and dislikes right away. Just don't eat more then one pkg out of each box for any returns.For me personally ..I love the bars and like the rice cakes, pretzels and puffs vanilla and mocha shakes yum! - Lorrie 8/4/11
I started medifast around October 2010. I went from 165lbs to about 142lbs in 3 months. I was very pleased. Unfortunately once I became comfortable being able to fit in my own clothes again I stopped the program. I did not start the maintenance program. My own fault. I ended up gaining my weight back and have started weight watchers and it's been successful so far. So depending on wether or not I would of stayed on the program I would have a better review. So it does work, and I do like it. But it was not for me and the food gets old quick! If you keep to it right, and do not cheat! I would cheat just for one day with some medifast and maybe a real meal with the family and I would be gaining a pound.. Just keep to it. - Alyssa 7/4/11
This diet works without a doubt as long as you can stick thru it. It is VERY difficult the first few days but once you make it thru week 1 the cravings pretty much go away. The food will also begin to taste better, however its best to try everything because not everyone like everything. I personally just do the shakes and brownies sometimes the scrambled eggs. They also have a great community site for advice and support and you can get great ways to doctor it up the meals too. The weight definitely comes off quickly and you see results weekly on the scale on with a measuring tape which is great motivation. Of course it has its downside like every diet the weight can come back quickly and more, but only if you don't go into the transition stage and gradual reintroduce foods back into your diet and maintain a healthy balanced diet. - Izzy 5/17/11
The Medifast diet consists of five prepared meals and one "Lean and Green Meal." (L&GM) known as the Medifast 5 & 1 plan. Your L&GM will consist of a lean protein (a seven-ounce serving of chicken, turkey or fish, or a five ounce serving of beef, pork or lamb) with a tablespoon's worth of condiment like ranch dressing, ketchup or mustard. You will also choose your side dish, which can include a salad, or raw or cooked vegetables. You will always eat at least three servings of vegetables in your L&GM.
The Medifast program encourages you to keep your metabolism high and avoid hunger by eating every three hours. It also recommends that you stay hydrated by drinking your choice of calorie-free beverage, preferably water, consuming at least 64 ounces each day. While your Lean and Green Meal and beverages are up to you, the rest of your meals will be chosen from the dozens of low-calorie, high nutritient meal-replacement items that Medifast delivers directly to you. With options like puddings, oatmeal, shakes, and scrambled eggs, it's hard to get bored.
At the beginning of the program, you will remove high carbohydrate vegetables from your diet like corn and carrots, to jump start your weight loss. You'll slowly introduce these items back into your diet over time and they can be a part of your diet in the maintenance phase, if you wish.
While on the Medifast program you don’t have to worry about counting anything; calories, grams of fat and carbs are all controlled and you can expect to lose between two and five pound per week. The Medifast meals are made with 24 different vitamins and minerals to keep you full and satisfy your nutritional needs.
A typical day of eating on the Medifast program looks like:
- Breakfast – Spiced Pancakes with Sugar-Free Syrup
- Snack – Chocolate Crunch Bar
- Lunch – Chicken & Wild Rice Soup
- Snack – Cinnamon Pretzel Sticks
- Dinner – Baked Tilapia Fillet; Sautéed Sugar Snap Peas with Mushrooms, Carrots
- Dessert – Coffee Soft Serve
The Medifast website offers an exercise guideline document, but there is specific workout program. Medifast recommends getting daily exercise, but your intensity, mode and duration are left completely up to you. They suggest running, jogging, swimming, dancing or walking, but with such a low calorie, structured program, getting your daily 30 minutes reccommended for health should be enough for you to successfully drop weight.
Medifast recommends waiting two to three weeks before introducing exercise if you do not already exercise regularly. You should also consult your physician if new to exercise. Start slow, and gradually increase you time and intensity as you feel things become easier. If you have been exercising consistently prior to starting Medifast, it is recommended that you reduce your intensity and duration of exercise for the first couple of weeks so your body can adjust to your lower calorie levels, and do no more than 45 minutes of vigorous exercise each day during this time period.
Medifast suggests, as do we, that you find something that you enjoy for your workouts so you are more likely to stick to them. The gym isn't your only option. You can take up jogging outside, dance classes, swimming, or biking to get in some exercise while finding a new activity you enjoy.
Common questions asked about the Medifast program by our community. Click each to see the full answer.
Does anyone experience an early plateau on Medifast? - NB 6/21/11
Is there any medical supervision on Medifast? - KJ 6/10/11
What is the cost of 3 months on Medifast? - Jeannie 6/8/11
Will my body adjust to hunger at the beginning of the diet? - Lisa 3/7/11
Ask or answer Medifast Questions now.
For more than 20 years, Medifast has been the answer for many people's weight loss struggles.. It’s also helped people with pre-existing health conditions, like diabetes and hypertension, lose weight safely. The taste and quality of the meals have gotten mostly positive feedback, so if you want to take out all of the guess work, Medifast may be the diet for you. You'll learn how to eat proper portions with balanced nutrition, while eating consistently throughout the day. Most programs and diets cannot boast the doctor recommendations, positive clinical findings and glowing testimonials that Medifast can. It's worth a look if you have weight to lose and are looking for a convenient, all in one approach to eating.
Other Slideshows About Medifast
7 Weight Loss Plans Fit for Fall
The Cost of Losing 20 Pounds
#29 Fastest Growing Company 2010 at CNN
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The Cost of Diet Plans on Today Show
Medifast on Twitter
Medifast on Facebook
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by Brandi Koskie
User Feedback
(Page 9 of 22, 438 total comments)Shawn
+My wife and I went on the diet May first, We have lost 30 lbs each. we average a half a pound a day. We only weigh in once a week.
posted Jul 26th, 2011 8:53 amWe had a slowdown and our coach had us cut back on the bars and drink shakes instead. worked great. I am done losing and actually had to gain some back. My wife has 10 more pounds togo. As far as the food, find what stuff you like and return what you dont, the return policy is great, We actually spend less per month on food than when we where FAT. If you wanna get the most out of this diet, GET A COACH.
LINDSEY
-The soups and oatmeal are totally Disgusting, I gagged the first day. The shakes and meal bars are ok. I absolutely HATE this diet but i HATE being overweight even more so im hoping to lose at least 20 lbs this month and transition because i cannot last too much longer on this horrible food!!!! GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!!
posted Jul 24th, 2011 11:07 amTracy
+Been on the diet since mid May of this year. Food sucks but I found the stuff I like and that's what I eat. Don't care for the soups and puddings. Shakes are good and cheese puffs are my weakness. As of this morning I a down 32lbs, with no exercise at all. I broke my foot after 1 week on plan. So I lost the weight sitting on my but. Have another 30lbs to go and another month at least wwith no exercise. Also got off 2 of my diabetes meds including insulin and BP meds cut in half. Dr. may take me off more meds after next visit. I didn't go to a clinic but dr. monitors blood levels A1C went from a 10.8 to a 7.7 in three months. It definatly works.
posted Jul 20th, 2011 3:40 pmdonna
I started this diet on Tuesday, I am on my 4th day. So far I have found most of the food uneatable. It gives me so much gas I am afraid to leave the house. I went to one of the clinics but decided not to join that because it was very expensive. I only want to lose 20 pounds and it would have cost me about $53 dollars per pound if I lost it in the first 4 wks. I bought 4wk worth of food from them and am sorry I did because they don't have an exchange or return policy so I am stuck with a lot of food that I can not eat. The only things I found tolarable were the soup if you doctored it up the bars and some of the shakes. I think I could do just as well on Weight Watchers. I think any diet the limits you to 800 calories a day you can loose weight on. I am not sure how long I can stand this but I am still trying.
posted Jul 15th, 2011 2:45 pmDavid Wright
Due to the inaccuracy of my scale at the start of this plan its hard to pin point my exact weight loss. But since starting this plan on May 28th 2011 I have lost between 28 and 34 pounds. This has happened despite a non religious following of the plan generally and even one week of going completely off the plan (while on a camping trip with my extended family I switched to a weight watchers calorie/points system in order to accomodate meals with my family. This system works and aparently it works for me even if I cheat a little. If you are thinking of going on it and plan to buy the soft serve you will want to buy a personal "bullet" style blender as your typical marguerita size blender leaves too much of your meal down in the blades with no way of retrieving it easily.
posted Jul 14th, 2011 5:49 pmAPRIL WYMAN
+I just finished DAY 1 !. I liked everything I had today and wasn't hungry at all. Tomorrow is Sunday which consists of going to church and then relaxing all day and eating usually with family or friends. I have banned everyone from my house except my hubby and 3 kids for a few days until I get this down. I am excited at how easy it is.
posted Jul 9th, 2011 11:01 pmJess
+I started the 5 and 1 plan in September 2010 at 175lbs. By the time I finished the program in February (2011) I was 117lbs (size 14 to size 2). This diet certainly works but it takes dedication. And you might have to eat more and/or not work out if you are already active. I ate an additional 400 calories a protein a day and was banned from working out (by the employees at the clinic). If you you are too calorie deficient your periods will stop and your weight loss will stall (mine did). Overall I am very very happy with my results and I have managed to not gain any weight back. Good Luck!
posted Jul 8th, 2011 5:21 pmHolly and Scott
+We've done this diet together, which is really helpful since grumbling and complaining is much better when you have someone to share it with. My husband has lost 30 lbs. and I've lost 15 lbs. in 5 weeks. We're 43 and this has worked like a charm, unlike all the other dieting and exercise I've tried. I love the parmesan puffs and the peanut butter bars. My husband eats the pancakes and peanut butter bars. The shakes aren't great and we've found that we like substituting EAS shakes from the grocery store for the medifast shakes. I have definitely found that I need to listen to my body and eat a little bit more every few days. Ironically it is usually after those days that I lose more. I think your body needs a break from the very restrictive diet on occasion. We're both worried about being able to maintain the weight loss when we are done. I would like to hear from people about transitioning off the 5 and 1 plan and how it has been for them.
posted Jul 8th, 2011 4:17 pmAva
I started Medifast on April 29th with the goal of losing 60 lbs. I was skeptical of the diet because I'm a size 12 and I have 131 lbs of muscle (based on my body scan). All the success stories were from people that were extremely over weight so I wasn't surprised by their success. Anyhow-- I decided to do the diet. It was EXTREMELY hard at first because I was working out 4 times a week prior to Medifast, mostly doing Zumba which I LOVE. I went to the clinic and had the health coach that advised me NOT to work out for the first 3 weeks. Bummer.
posted Jul 7th, 2011 10:58 amBy May 20th I had yet to do ANY exercise AT ALL and I already dropped 20 lbs staying faithful to the program. I cheated here and there but mostly with condiments-- not whole meals (and some days I forgot to eat a Medifast meal).
The food is AWFUL. I'm huge on texture so puddings, eggs, oatmeal...not going to work. I LOVE the medifast chocolate ready shakes, the Chocolate Crunch bars, Cinnamon Crunch bars, Nacho Cheese Puffs, Parmesan Cheese Puffs, and Peanut Butter Crunch Bars. THAT'S IT. I refuse to eat anything else.
I ended up going on an 11 day vacation and I ate everything in site. Fried twinkies, fried pickles, burger, pizzas, fast food, etc. I dont know if I even drank water when I was on vacation! I did gain back 4 lbs but that was it.
I'm back on the program and doing well. This diet is what you make it. If you go back to eating the foods you ate that made you fat in the first place-- you will gain the weight back! If you continue the practice of eating 6 small meals a day, everything in moderation, and eating all your fruits and veggies-- the weight you gain back (if any) shouldn't be significant.
My best advice: Go to the clinic. They weigh you in, look at what you ate, and based on what you like give you a meal plan!
Hope this helps!
Alyssa
-I started medifast around October 2010. I went from 165lbs to about 142lbs in 3 months. I was very pleased. Unfortunately once I became comfortable being able to fit in my own clothes again I stoped the program. I did not start the maitnence program. My own fault. I ended up gaining my weight back and have started weight watchers and it's been successful so far. So depending on wether or not I would of stayed on the program I would have a better review. So it does work, and I do like it. But it was not for me and the food gets old quick! If you keep to it right, and do not cheat! I would cheat just for one day with some medifast and maybe a real meal with the family and I would be gaining a pound.. Just keep to it. Best of luck to all of you!
posted Jul 4th, 2011 8:14 pmKevin
+I have been on it for 8 weeks, I have lost 42 pds. The food is pretty... something. But I am nearly at my goal. I am not hungry, nor tempted, i most assuredly would not have done it my self, I needed the help.
posted Jul 1st, 2011 6:14 pmCiCi
Lost 20.8 lbs in first 5 weeks. Very pleased
posted Jun 30th, 2011 10:39 pmKathy
I just started this diet today. So far so good. The Strawberry Cream shake and Oatmeal Rasin bar have been yummy! I hope the rest of the foods are as tasty :D
posted Jun 27th, 2011 10:52 amtoshi
+good food and fast delivery and keeps you on the right regiment of calories in! You just need to make sure you do the calories out part :)
posted Jun 23rd, 2011 5:11 amnb
?Does anyone experience an early plateau on Medifast? I have been on the program 5 weeks and am stuck. The last 2 weeks I haven't lost anything and have faithfully followed the program, is it too early for a plateau? I don't mind 'eating' the medifast food when I lose weight but am getting VERY discouraged. Anyone else hit a plateau this early?
Colette
Lost 13 pounds the first month, stuck to this diet-did everything I was supposed to do and then the weight loss-went up/down/up/down. Worst part? Unbelievable reaction to my hands-arthritis galore. Too many chemicals in the products, too many sugars. Try to return the products afterwards? good luck They do not return your emails, your phone calls and after you get your Dr. involved to help you, will only take full boxes back. They are there for you only when they take your money but the minute you have health problems due to THEIR PRODUCTS-too bad, so sad. They publish al the great stories but hide all the side effects for people who do not do well on this diet. I wanted it to work but the pain from the reaction to their product was too much to handle.
posted Jun 20th, 2011 4:03 pmShelly48
9 lbs in 2 weeks is a good number. Do you have a health coach? I lost 75 lbs in 9 months never losing less than 1 lb every week and most often 2 or more. The first week is always the most. Contact me if you would like a health coach.
posted Jun 20th, 2011 12:54 pmSandy
I've been on the program 2 weeks. I've been super faithful but have only lost 9 pounds and 7 of those were in the first week. Will I start seeing more drop? I can't be at a plateau already. I've got 40 pounds to go
posted Jun 15th, 2011 3:10 pmRacahel
lost 30 lbs in 10 weeks.
posted Jun 15th, 2011 1:45 pmStacy
Today is my first day on the program. Because I am an avid coffee drinker (with cream and sugar), I chose the Cappuccino for breakfast. I added half water to the mix as instructed. It needed more "coffee flavor" for me, so i added black coffee. It's really good!! No, it's not coffee house quality, but much better than just prepared with water. Hope this helps someone :)
posted Jun 14th, 2011 8:19 am