Good Lifestyle

Once upon a time in the 1980s, a diet called Medifast hit the market withPackaged foods for weight loss. These messaging shakes and bar control bars were designed to replace breakfast and lunch, which makes weight lose weight. Today, although Medifast is still operational, it has a number of popular subsidiaries that operate on the same principle of preselected meal replacements for weight loss. One of them is the Optavia regime, which was previously known as a life for life.

Optavia's diet calls for Dieters with its extreme convenience. (After all, it does not become much easier than having your meals sent to your door!) In addition, its easy-to-follow structure takes the assumption of meal planning. But does he actually work for weight loss? We talked about dietitians for their care to know ifOptavia is a smart choice to lose books.

The theory behind the optavia regime.

Optavia slogan is "life transformation, a healthy habit at a time". The main objective of Optavia's diet is a diet based on several mini-meal (called "ravages") eaten throughout the day, supplemented by a meal cooked at home (called "skinny and green" )

The program is built around six "key construction blocks" of optimal health:

1. Weight management
2. eating and hydrating
3. movement
4. to sleep
5. disturbs
6. surrounding

The theory goes if you plan to follow and prescribe mini-dining, you are less likely to stop in unhealthy food territory. And when you eat only theLimited number of calories The diet provides - sometimes as low as 1,100 calories a day, weight loss is almost guaranteed.

Moreover, by preparing your own dinner "skinny and green" every night,Healthy cuisine Becomes a habit, making the transition from the diet to a "regular" healthy eating easier.

Optavia also offers a social support component that distinguishes it from many other meal replacement regimes. Since emotional support is a major factor in the success of weight loss, those who are part of its programs have access to a coach - typically a person who has successfully completed the program. This mentor can answer questions, provide an education and serve as a pommother for your weight loss course.

How do you follow the Opavia regime?

The daily experience on Optavia involves eating several small meal meals every two to three hours. These "ravages" consist of more than 50 options ofPre-packaged items with low calorie Like shakes, bars, brownies, soups and other meals resembling ordered snack directly from society.

Depending on the Optavia program, you choose, the tankers will be between three and five of your six small daily meals. All pests are designed to contain approximately the same nutrient balance. It is up to you to choose which you would like to eat at a given day and any meal.

Your remaining meal (usually dinner) you will make. Optavia calls this "lean and green" meal and provides guidelines for making it with optimal ingredients for weight loss. A typical skinny and green meal is composed of five to seven ounces of lean protein, three portions of non-stubborn vegetables and up to two servings of healthy fats.

Depending on your goals, you can choose from the three optavia diet plans.

• The "4 & 2 and 1"The plan involves four ravages, two meals lean and green and a healthy snack.
• The "3 and 3"The plan is composed of three pests and three" balanced meals ".
• His most popular option, the "5 & ​​1, "Is the strictest, with five meal replacements and a lean and green meal. If you start on the 5 and 1 plane, you can use or the other two shots to gradually seize meal replacements.

What are food and are not allowed?

SinceMeal replacements Compose most of your daily meals on Optavia, many food choices are more or less made for you. However, some foods are definitely highlighted, while others are discouraged.

Food to avoid while following Optavia.

Not surprising, indulgent items likeHigh calorie desserts, alcohol and sweet drinks do not cup at any stage of Optavia's plans.

First, other foods can be limited, then reintroduced gradually when you respond to your weight loss goals. These include starchy vegetables, fresh fruit, grain and low fat dairy products.

Foods to eat on Optavia.

When creating yourSkinny and green mealYour planning toolbox of your meals consists oflean proteinHealthy vegetables and greases. Optavia lists the "skinny" "skinny" and "meat" meat and protein-based protein options ranging from egg whites to steak. The sizes of portions of these sources of proteins depend on their powder.

As for the three portions of vegetables allowed at this meal, you can choose from the lower carbohydrate options, moderate carbohydrates and higher carbohydrates, Iceberg lettuce to Spaghetti Shash.

Complete things with healthy fat like olive oil, lawyer or vinaigrette with carbohydrate salad to add a little flavor.

Risks and benefits

Optavia's extremely low calorie nature comes with advantages and disadvantages. Even if weight loss is not always as simple as calories compared to calories, 1,100 calories is a significant slash of what most of us consume regularly, you risk losing weight quickly, especially on the 5 & 1 plan. "Every time you eat small calorie, you will see results at first," says DietianBrittany Modell, MS, RD, CDN.

But as to keep it? There is the challenge. "Our bodies are very intelligent, over time, they will compensate for your low calorie diet by entering" Starvation Mode ", says Modell." When you lose more than two books a week, you can start exploiting your muscle mass Skinny rather than fat. "In addition, even if you plan havoc every two hours, you can always find yourself hungry on the diet.

Other optavia traps include boredom and feelings of social isolation. "I think a meal replacement plan can be a strategy start of your weekly meals, but it can create a challenge with monotony," saysTony Castillo, MS, RDN, LDN, a spokesman forRSP Nutrition. (In addition, there is no denying that it's hard to choose a granola bar when your Pals hit a happy hour.)

The ravages of Optavia are not exactly inexpensive, either. Get ready for a financial investment if you choose for this diet. Four weeks of meal replacement range from $ 400 to $ 450.

One Optavia Beink is its integrated coaching feature. The diet offers a useful support system that can help users stick to their weight loss goals. For people who need structure, pests eliminate the question of what to eat and when. And the packaging and the portability of these Grab-and-Go mini-meals offer a total convenience for loaded days.

Dietitians do they recommend it?

While going to Optavia can help you lose weight fast, many dietitians are not big fans. Castillo notes that although the plan canWEIGHT LOSS JUMPSTARTThis is probably not a long-term solution. "The replacement of meals does not work in the long run because you have to rely on treaty meals and pre-packaged snacks. Instead, try to find a plan that better aligns with your needs so that you can get the desired results. "

Modell accepts. "My best advice would not use meals replacement," she says. "However, if you already use them, I recommend adding unsuccessful healthy foods in your diet such as fruits and vegetables. Eating balanced meals is important."