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Medically Reviewed by What is Optavia Weight Loss?
Optavia Weight Loss Program is a complete system which aims to help people lose weight. It’s a high protein, low-calorie set of 3 possible programs. They all focus around eating small meals every 2-3 hours instead of 3 larger meals per day.
Food consists of ‘lean and green’ meals that you prepare yourself which may include 5-7 ounces of lean meat or fish, vegetables, and healthy fats. There are also foods the company makes and sells called ‘optavia fuelings’. You are encouraged to exercise regularly on the program. In addition, you get individual coaching.
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Optavia Quick Facts & Specs
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The Optavia diet is designed to help people lose weight and fat by reducing calories and carbs through portion-controlled meals and snacks.
- Type:Weight Loss Program
- Benefit:There are coaches to teach you healthy habits.
- Brand:Optavia
- Uses:The company provides a lot of the foods and snacks.
- Price:$19.95-$414.60
Pros And Cons of Optavia
- The Optavia Weight Loss Program may help you lose weight.
- There are coaches to teach you healthy habits.
- Optavia company provides a lot of the foods and snacks.
- There are some dessert foods included in your optavia diet.
- There are optavia fuelings suitable for vegetarians.
- Optavia Weight Loss Program is expensive.
- The Optavia diet isn’t really sustainable, so you may regain the weight.
- Some of the foods contain allergens, so you have to read the packaging and optavia reviews carefully.
How Does Optavia Weight Loss Work?
When you go for Optavia login for Weight Loss Program online, you have the choice of 3 possible plans. These include the 5 & 1, and 4 & 2 & 1, or the 3 & 3. The numbers correspond to how you eat on the plan.
Optavia diet is a high-protein diet which includes fuelings, which are company prepared foods including soups, smoothies, desserts, etc. It also includes Optavia lean and green meals which you prepare yourself with leans meats or fish, vegetables, and heathy fats.
You eat 6 or 7 small meals during the day. The 4 & 2 & 1 plan includes 4 fuelings, 1 snack and 1 lean and green meal. With the 3 & 3 plan you eat 3 optavia lean and green and 3 fuelings. You should include regular exercise in your program.
You can connect with a coach either of your choice or in your area. This person should help you to follow the Optavia diet and learn new healthy habits.
Can You Lose Weight on Optavia Weight Loss?
If you stick to Optavia diet rigidly you will probably lose weight, as it has you eating only 1000 calories per day approximately. According to the Canadian Medical Association Journal[1], low-calorie weight loss programs like Optavia can decrease total body weight by 8% in the short term.
They suggest not staying on this kind of diet for more than 16 weeks. There’s no evidence you can keep up the weight loss after going off Optavia diet.
A study published in Obesity Science and Practice[2] compared Optavia Weight Loss Program with the Medifast Program and a self-directed, calorie-reduced diet. Both programs led to more weight loss than the self-directed diet, with Optavia Weight Loss Program being slightly more effective.
Is Optavia Weight Loss a Healthy Way to Lose Weight?
Optavia diet plan is a low-calorie, high protein diet. According to the Mayo Clinic, a high protein diet is healthy as long as you choose quality proteins like fish, nuts, skinless chicken, soy, beans, lean beef, and low-fat dairy items – which you do on this program.
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*All individuals are unique. Your results can and will vary.
Some would say that being on a restricted-calorie diet is not healthy and doesn’t provide you with the energy you need to get through the day. In addition, many of the foods contain allergens and other ingredients that you may not be able to consume. Ingredients like protein isolate may cause gastrointestinal symptoms.
What Meals Are Included in the Optavia Weight Loss Program?
The primary foods you eat on the Optavia diet plan are lean and green meals and ‘fuelings’. You prepare the optavia lean and green recipe yourself, and they include 5-7 ounces of lean protein like fish or chicken, 3 servings of non-carb vegetables, and 2 healthy fats.
The optavia fuelings are foods you buy from the company as part of your program. They include soups, dessert foods, shakes, bars, cereals, and others.
How Often Do You Eat on the Optavia Diet Plan?
One of the ideas behind the Optavia diet plan is to eat small meals at different intervals during the day instead of 3 meals as usual. You eat 6 or 7 times per day, depending on which of the 3 programs you choose.
On the 5 & 1 plan, you eat 5 fuelings and 1 lean and green meal. If you choose the 4 & 2 & 1 plan, you’ll eat 4 fuelings, 1 snack, and 1 lean and green meal. With the 3 & 3 plan you eat 3 lean and green meals and 3 fuelings.
How Much Does Optavia Weight Loss Cost?
The Optavia diet plan cost is as follows:
- Optimal Weight 5 & 1 Plan: $414.60, including 119 servings
- Optimal Weight 4 & 2 & 1 Plan: $457.95 including 140 servings
- Optimal Weight 3 & 3 Plan: $19.95 including 7 servings
Is Optavia Weight Loss Worth It?
The Optavia Weight Loss Program is very expensive, especially as it involves paying for fuelings made by the company. What’s good about the program is that it includes coaching, the purpose of which is to try to teach you to eat healthier over time and form new habits.
On the other hand, for less money, you could make your own healthy meals and snacks and get calories and health information for free online. If you don’t need additional support, that may be a good option. However, some people need meal and food information and coaching before they can lose weight.
Optavia Customer Reviews- What Do Users Say?
There were several Optavia reviews online, including some videos on YouTube. The consensus among most users is that they were able to lose weight with Optavia diet plan, at varying amounts, but the majority of them were unable to sustain the loss after they finished the program.
The number of calories consumed on the diet is too little to keep up over the long term, so most people regained the weight.
Optavia Weight Loss Program – Conclusion
Optavia Weight Loss is a set of 3 possible weight loss programs which are very low calorie and high protein. The plans involve eating foods called fuelings prepared by the company, Optavia lean and green, and the occasional snack. You find a coach who guides you in your Optavia diet, nutrition, and exercise for the program.
There are a number of Optavia reviews on the Weight Loss Diet Program, and most of them have similar comments. The users found the Optavia diet plan hard to keep up with, as the calorie count was so low. Many did lose weight, but when they went off the diet they often gained it back.
There are some mild Optavia side effects that may occur when you change your diet radically. In addition, they are ingredients in the foods which could cause stomach upset in some people. If the symptoms are uncomfortable, stop the diet. Before you go on this diet plan or any health and diet program like Metabolic Renewal Program, you must get medical approval from your doctor.
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*All individuals are unique. Your results can and will vary.
How Do I Find a Optavia Weight Loss Coach?
You can find an Optavia Weight Loss Program coach through the official website. First Optavia login, Click on ‘Find a Coach’ at the bottom of the page. You have the choice to either pick a specific coach or get a coach near you.
Optavia – Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does Optavia Really Work?
A: The diet plan called Optavia is a highly restrictive diet plan involving radically cutting calories. This may lead to some weight loss, but it’s very difficult to keep up with this kind of diet in the long run. It may be hard to sustain the loss.
According to Perspectives on Psychological Science[3], reducing calorie intake may not help you lose a lot of body weight.
Q: Are There Side Effects From Optavia Weight Loss?
A: The manufacturer warns of Optavia side effects that could occur as a result of rapid weight loss, including gallstones, gall bladder disease, and temporary hair thinning.
While you’re getting used to eating fewer calories you could have dizziness, fatigue, light-headedness, or stomach upset. The protein isolate included in the Optavia diet plan can lead to an upset stomach as well.
Q: Does Optavia Weight Loss Have a Refund Policy?
A: You can get a refund on consumable products like Optavia fueling. The manufacturer has a 30-day return policy. If you are not happy with a product, let the company know and then send it back within 30 days of the purchase date. You are responsible for shipping charges.
Q: I am not happy with the Optavia program, How to Cancel OPTAVIA Subscription?
A: To cancel your OPTAVIA Premier order, login Optavia, and select “Cancel OPTAVIA Order.” You may also cancel your OPTAVIA Premier membership by contacting the Client Success Team at 1-888-OPTAVIA.
Note: If you have decided to cancel your OPTAVIA Premier, you will not be able to receive all the benefits of OPTAVIA Premier including Shipping Discounts and Rewards Savings. After cancellation, you have 60 days to reinstate your OPTAVIA Premier membership and retain all benefits subject to the terms and conditions of OPTAVIA Premier.
SEE ALSO – Yoga Burn and Slimming Gummies Reviews
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*All individuals are unique. Your results can and will vary.
3 sources
Health Insiders relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
[1] Strychar I. Diet in the management of weight loss. CMAJ. 2006 Jan 3;174(1):56-63. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.045037. PMID: 16389240; PMCID: PMC1319349.
[2] Arterburn LM, Coleman CD, Kiel J, Kelley K, Mantilla L, Frye N, Sanoshy K, Cook CM. Randomized controlled trial assessing two commercial weight loss programs in adults with overweight or obesity. Obes Sci Pract. 2018 Dec 21;5(1):3-14. doi: 10.1002/osp4.312. PMID: 30820327; PMCID: PMC6381299.
[3] Are high-protein diets safe for weight loss? https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/high-protein-diets/faq-20058207
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Alexia Lewis, MS, RD, LD/N, CHC, CPT
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Optavia is life changing for my patients
One of my patients has a coach at Optavia Medifast that has given her a link to see a doctor at LifeMD to work with a doctor for GLP-1 review and access.
Optavia and LifeMD partnership seems to have started. I looked it up and LifeMD has a GLP-1 weight management program with potential medications like Wegovy and Ozempic. Dr. Dansinger
This program works
I have a very slow and low metabolism and have been battling my weight all of my adult life and since adolescence always trying to shed those extra lbs. The only kind of diet that works is a high protein modified fast and this Optavia program has everything you need in it for it to work for you but you may need to tweak it at times.
Not everyone knows how to do this. People who are experiencing gastric distress with the products clearly haven’t been properly instructed that this can happen but you can modify your one ‘lean and green’ meal and take some probiotics which can help as can fiber supplements.
It’s hard for me to lose weight and I’ve lost 10 lbs so far. Some people (much heavier than I am) have much more dramatic weight loss. Mine is an average of 1.5 lbs per week. This program works but in order for that to happen, you have to work it!
Not worth it, the products made me sick.
I tried Optavia. First, the 30-day return starts at the date of purchase. It took the order 11 days to get to me. My coach didn’t tell me how much she was charging to my card for my order until after the order was placed. Next thing I know $341..gone.
I asked about a money back guarantee- she told me I would get my money back. Outright lie. There is NO 100% money back. You don’t even get all your money back when you return the product. For example, if the full price of a product is $22.00, returned I got $17.00. The books are non-refundable.
After I canceled my membership and started the return process my couch stopped responding to messages. I assume because she knew I would find out the truth as to how this company works.
Did it work for me?
If works include painful hunger, the body reduced to starvation mode burping up bright yellow stomach acid, stomach-churning that could be heard across the room, bloating, gas, diarrhea..headaches from being hungry. Fatigue from being overly hungry. If that works for you, then it works. It did not work for me.
More disturbing was the money, dishonesty, and complete disregard for how sick I was. The company didn’t give a hoot about me or the fact that their product made me feel terrible. They clearly want nothing to do with anyone who has side effects. They just want your money!
So! NO SUCH THING AS 100% MONEY BACK! I have all the emails to prove it. And as I read more reviews I see many people are having issues with the company continuing to take money after the cancelation of their membership.
Optavia Weight Loss doesn't look to work for me.
Optavia Weight Loss reviews I checked, the users have written all the positive things so I thought I would try it. Started using the Optavia Weight Loss diet program and didn’t think it was working for me. I would not recommend it.