I've been on medifast since last year and have lost quite a bit of weight on it (over 75 pounds). I'm often asked how this diet differs from optifast and which is better. This article will discuss the major differences between the two to help you decide which may be better for you. Understand that my opinion is based on my personal experience and the research that I've conducted.
Liquid Diets (And Why One Of These Technically Isn't One): I believe that people researching the difference between these two plans are really looking for the most effective, fast working diet that they can find and they assume that to achieve this, they have to go on a highly restrictive liquid diet. (I don't believe this to be true, as I'll explain later.)
Optifast fits this liquid diet bill, offering shakes, soups, and bars.
Medifast offers shakes as well (in many different varieties, including ready to drink). But, although there are many liquid options on the diet (including shakes, soups, stews, cappuccinos, fruit drinks, etc.), there are also a decent bit of solid food offerings, like eggs, chili, pudding, oatmeal, and protein bars.
You also eat one regular, healthful meal that you prepare yourself each day. Additionally, you can use the dry ingredients from many of the diet's food to make treats like cookies and muffins. So, you do have the option of eating man more regular, solid foods.
Doctor Supervised Clinics Versus Monitoring And Buying The Products Yourself: From all I have read and from what I can tell, optifast requires doctor's supervision at a clinic. There are applicable clinics throughout the United States, Canada, and Australia. It appears that you're asked to go in weekly for a weigh in or consultation. Many of the clinics on the web site are bariatric clinics (lap band, stomach stapling, gastric bypass, etc.)
You can buy medifast yourself online and although my doctor is highly impressed with my progress, he doesn't monitor me or effect my decisions on the plan. While there are online weight loss support and forums that you are encouraged to use (and they are free), this is your choice. You don't have to accept counseling and you don't have to weigh in unless you want to in your own home.
Cost Of Both Plans: I had a hard time finding pricing for optifast, but from the information I found, it appears to cost about 0 per week. I pay about per day for medifast, which makes it a good deal cheaper, but I'm not only consuming liquids by any means. The shakes are just one of the options that I chose. I've had dramatic and quick results eating the solids on this plan, so I don't see any reason to deny myself solids.
So, Which Is Better? Which plan is ultimately better for you depends upon your situation and personal preferences. I believe (and it is my experience) that you can get very dramatic results consuming both liquids and solids. I am walking, living proof of this. However, your belief may be different and you may feel that you want or need a doctor's supervision. This is really a personal decision to which there is no right or wrong answer.
