Optavia Review: The Complete Guide and Verdict on This Weight Loss Program

Are you looking to achieve quick weight loss?

If so, you might have discovered Optavia through your internet scroll. It is a paid diet focusing on weight loss, weight management, and healthy lifestyle habits. Due to its restrictive nature, it receives mixed reviews from customers and healthcare professionals alike.

Want to know more? Keep reading for our complete Optavia review.

Summary

Optavia is a weight loss program that supports people in reclaiming their health through a healthy lifestyle. It offers participants key support areas, including clinically-proven plans, own-brand food products, independent coaching, and a community of like-minded people.

The plan offers two unique weight loss programs and a third program for weight maintenance. All options focus on reduced-carb, low-calorie diets to help users lose weight quickly. You can customize your Optavia diet plan to achieve your weight loss goals.

What Is the Optavia Diet?

The Optavia diet is a health and wellness program that aims to help people reach optimal health and well-being. It centers around weight loss and maintenance by encouraging users to create and maintain long-term healthy habits. It looks at healthy eating, hydration, and more.

The portion-controlled, very low-calorie diet helps users reduce their caloric intake. It provides Optavia-branded, prepackaged foods called Optavia Fuelings. It also lets users make healthy homemade meals with minimal preparation, which they call Lean and Green meals.

⭐ Rating	3.4
✅ Main focus	Quick weight loss
❌ Is it FDA approved?	No
🍎 Available plans	5 & 1; 4 & 2 & 1; 3 & 3
🥦 Vegan?	No
💰 Price	From $379 per month

How Does Optavia Work?

The Optavia program works by giving users the tools and guidance to lose weight. It is a branded diet that requires you to purchase Optavia Fuelings. The Fuelings collection comprises foods low in carbs and high in protein, with added probiotics.

Probiotics are friendly, live bacteria that boost digestive health. They can reduce bloating, prevent constipation and diarrhea, and promote regular bowel movements. Research suggests that probiotics can contribute to weight loss by altering gut microbiota composition.

Optavia Fuelings contain other essential vitamins and minerals to aid a healthy diet. You can enjoy convenient meals and snacks, such as cereals, cookies, shakes, soups, and pasta dishes. These low-calorie foods push you to reduce your daily calorie intake to create a calorie deficit.

There are different versions of the Optavia diet, with some reducing calorie consumption to just 800–1,000 calories per day. After purchasing your preferred diet plan, you can begin right away.

Throughout your weight loss journey with Optavia, you can enlist the support of your coach. You can schedule one-on-one meetings and choose your preferred mode of communication, be it a phone call, text, or email.

It is worth noting that Optavia coaches are not certified health coaches, which might be a red flag for some people.

Optavia Weight Loss Programs

It is useful that Optavia offers different programs. Having a choice increases the likelihood of selecting the right plan to suit your lifestyle and health goals. Just make sure to read the information carefully and gain an understanding of the programs before making a purchase.

The 3 Optavia diet plans are as follows:

#1 Optimal weight 5 & 1 program

The popular Optimal Weight 5 & 1 plan is an 800–1,000 calorie diet. You can eat 6 small meals daily, 5 of which are Optavia Fuelings. The remaining meal is a Lean and Green meal that you prepare based on the requirements. It includes lean protein, vegetables, and fats.

#2 Optimal weight 4 & 2 & 1 program

The 4 & 2 & 1 program is there for those who want to achieve weight loss but require more calories and flexibility when following a diet. When following this program, you can enjoy several meals, including 4 Fuelings, 2 Lean and Green meals, and 1 snack daily.

#3 Optimal health 3 & 3 program

After reaching your desired weight, you can maintain it with the 3 & 3 plan. It involves eating nutritionally-balanced small meals every 2–3 hours and expands your food choices. During this regimen, you are encouraged to eat 3 Fuelings and 3 balanced meals daily.

#4 Special medical and dietary needs

People with special dietary needs or medical conditions, such as people with diabetes or nursing mothers, can make use of Optavia’s specialized programs. However, we recommend discussing your meal plan with your healthcare provider before attempting a new diet.

Benefits of Optavia

The Optavia diet may offer several benefits. Reviewing the benefits of any weight loss routine is crucial if you want to see noticeable results. We’ve identified 3 advantages that might encourage you to choose Optavia over other diets.

They are:

#1 Fast weight loss

The biggest perk and selling point of Optavia is speedy weight loss. Studies show that portion-controlled meals can generate significant decreases in weight. Snacks and food items low in calories and carbohydrate content can also induce faster weight loss outcomes.

#2 Great support network

Many people will benefit from the support network Optavia offers. You can communicate with your coach for guidance and motivation throughout the program. The Optavia social community allows you to discuss your journey with others in the same position as yourself.

#3 Convenient

Nobody wants a complicated meal plan. Making time for complex recipes is not feasible for people leading busy lives. The Optavia meal plan is highly convenient and hassle-free. You can simply reach for your premade snacks and meal replacements at meal times.

Cons of Optavia

Of course, a handful of drawbacks let this program down. The below cons are significant, so make sure you consider them before you commit to a subscription.

#1 Overpriced

The Optavia cost is a definite concern for many people. As a branded diet, this program comes with a hefty price tag, and that’s before you purchase groceries for your Lean and Green meals.

Losing weight requires commitment, but it shouldn’t cost the earth. Not everyone can afford hundreds of dollars to rework their diet for a healthy body weight. You should calculate the total cost before signing up, including the cost of ingredients for your Lean and Green meals.

#2 Low-calorie diet

The Optavia 5 & 1 program is very low in calories. A 1,000-calorie diet cuts your recommended daily calories in half, which can lead to rapid weight loss. While you might be keen to shed pounds as quickly as possible, doctors do not advise fast weight loss diets as they are harmful.

Side effects can include nutritional deficiencies, loss of muscle mass, slower metabolism, binge eating, and digestive problems. Furthermore, restrictive diets that prioritize calorie counting can trigger disordered eating in some people if they become obsessive about their calorie intake.

#3 Not sustainable

The major downside of Optavia is that it is not sustainable. While it does promote weight loss, most people cannot sustain a restrictive diet in the long term. Moreover, you might tire of the Optavia food options and find yourself craving other foods that the diet does not permit.

#4 Based on processed foods

The diet heavily relies on processed and packaged food items. While convenient and appealing to those on a busy schedule, highly processed foods can be detrimental to human health. Consumption is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and depression.

Those looking for a healthy meal plan should limit their intake of processed items. The best diets consist of nutritious whole foods, like fresh fruit and vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. These foods fuel your body with nutrients while supporting healthy weight loss.

How to Be Successful on Optavia?

The key to success with most diet programs is to stick to the recommendations. The Optavia diet is designed purposefully for losing and managing weight. The calorie counts and dietary choices are there for a reason: to help you reach your ideal weight.

The diet is highly restrictive, but if you follow it accordingly, you are likely to lose weight. Just remember that it might not be the healthiest route to weight loss. You should further assess the rules of each program to ensure it is feasible for your lifestyle.

Foods to Eat and Avoid on Optavia

Optavia provides a complete guide to what you can and can’t eat on this program. The Fuelings are ready-to-eat, so you don’t need to worry about those. However, the Lean and Green meal plan features homemade recipes based on Optavia’s dietary rules.

Here is what you can and can’t eat when preparing your Lean and Green meals.

What you can eat

• 5–7oz of cooked lean protein, such as cod, haddock, crab, shrimp, chicken breast, ground turkey, eggs, and plain Greek yogurt
• 3 servings of non-starchy vegetables, such as collard greens, lettuce, spinach, celery, cucumbers, radishes, asparagus, cauliflower, and eggplant
• Up to 2 servings of healthy fats, with options including oil, salad dressing, black or green olives, avocado, butter, almonds, peanuts, chia, flax, and pumpkin seeds

What you can’t eat

• Fried foods
• Refined grains (unless included in Optavia Fuelings)
• High-carbohydrate vegetables, including carrots, corn, peas, potatoes, onions, edamame, and Brussels sprouts
• Sugary drinks and high-calorie desserts

How Much Does Optavia Cost?

The pricing differs depending on your chosen program and how many branded products you want to purchase. You can buy kits or purchase the Fuelings individually for various prices.

Per the official website, the current prices are:

Essential Optimal Kit (5 & 1 plan): $395.25 (119 servings per container)

Essential On-the-Go Kit (5 & 1 plan): $395.25 (119 servings per container)

Essential Optimal Kit (4 & 2 & 1 plan): $442.00 (140 servings per container)

Remember that if you want to make a Lean and Green meal, you do need to purchase those groceries separately.

FAQs

Optavia vs. Alternatives

How We Tested Optavia

We rated the quality, effectiveness, price, and brand reputation for our Optavia review. Here are our scores:

Quality 7/10

The program’s processed food items do not offer the same quality as a diet rich in whole foods. However, the Lean and Green meal plans comprise foods with important vitamins and minerals, including cooked lean protein, non-starchy vegetables, and limited amounts of good fats.

Effectiveness 8/10

The diet is effective because it focuses on calorie reduction for weight loss. Decreasing your daily calories is an optimal way to lose excess weight. Pair it with regular physical activity to increase the number of calories you burn, and you can speed up results.

Price 5/10

The price is the biggest letdown. People can not afford to pay almost $400 per month for a weight loss regimen, regardless of how successful it may be. There does not appear to be financial support or split payments to benefit those unable to make a lump-sum payment.

Brand reputation 6/10

Optavia is a health and wellness company from Medifast Inc. It sells recipes and low-calorie bars, shakes, and snacks to help people achieve their body goals. Many people have found success with the program. Still, health professionals tend to advise against restrictive dieting.

Conclusion

The Optavia diet relies on calorie and carb reduction, packaged meals, and ongoing guidance. It costs a lot of money, and there is no guarantee that you will sustain the calorie expectations. Moreover, dieting restrictions can result in health complications down the line.

You might succeed with Optavia as a short-term diet, but there are greater alternatives for safe and sustainable weight loss. Talk to your doctor about the best practices for lowering your weight, taking into account your current health status and dietary needs.

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