OPTIFAST Program

OPTIFAST® Full Meal Replacement Program for Medical Weight Loss

Lose between 3 and 5 pounds per week*

The OPTIFAST weight loss program is a nutritionally complete, full-meal replacement diet that can help you cut calories without constant hunger. The OPTIFAST program promotes healthy weight loss that is sustainable. Two years after completing an OPTIFAST program, most people still maintain significant weight loss. .

As part of the program, you receive weekly medical monitoring to help you achieve safe and effective weight loss.

On the OPTIFAST Program

The OPTIFAST Full Meal Replacement Program is an aggressive weight loss program appropriate for people with a BMI of 30 or greater (Find out your BMI here) who have a significant amount of weight to or for people with a BMI 27-29.9 and have less weight to lose but have been diagnosed with a weight-related health condition such as type-2 diabetes and/or hypertension.

During the active phase of the program, you’ll replace conventional foods you would typically eat with OPTIFAST products. These are protein-rich, low-carb food items that are simple to prepare. They include:   

  • Shakes
  • Nutrition bars
  • Soups

The OPTIFAST meal replacement products contain 14 grams of protein and are designed to minimize muscle loss and improve appetite control. Eating small amounts of high-quality protein 5 or more times a day helps people stay ahead of their hunger and stabilizes their blood sugar, which, in turn, minimizes food cravings.

These specialized products provide a precise ratio of high-quality protein, carbohydrates, and essential fatty acids to stimulate weight loss while curbing appetite and protecting against muscle loss.

During the program, people will generally eat 5-7 times a day, depending on their calorie needs and activity level. People following the OPTIFAST Program usually eat between 800-1120 calories per day. Weight loss averages around 3 pounds a week for women and up to 5 pounds a week for men.

The average weight loss of people participating in the OPTIFAST program is over 50 pounds. Participants in the program also average an 11% decrease in blood pressure and a 14% decrease in cholesterol.

As you lose weight, you will be guided through a lifestyle and behavior education program that supports a healthy lifestyle. You’ll receive personal attention and also attend group sessions. Group meetings foster collaboration and provide additional insight and support. Topics include:

  • Nutrition
  • Activity and exercise
  • Behavioral skills that support wellness
  • Successful transition back to conventional foods

Transitioning from OPTIFAST

During the transition phase, you will begin to add conventional low-calorie foods back into your diet.

Some people chose to continue using 1-2 meal replacement products a day during maintenance to improve their ability to control their weight. Our medical team will help you chose the right combination of low-calorie foods, shakes, soups and/or bars. During the transition phase, you will continue losing weight and develop strategies for long term weight management.

*1. Saris, W. H.M. (2001), Very-Low-Calorie Diets and Sustained Weight Loss. Obesity Research, 9: 295S–301S. doi: 10.1038/oby.2001.134
2. http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/weight-control/very-low-calorie-diets/Pages/very-low-calorie-diets.aspx