Fact Checked | Overview | Company Info | Benefits | Research | Getting Started | Foods | Ingredients | Side Effects | Cost | Results | What Users Are Saying | Bottom Line | |
Optimal Weight 5&1 Plan promises a “gentle but efficient fat-burning state while maintaining retaining lean muscle mass.” The plan claims to help you reach and maintain your weight through a combination of supplements, meal alternatives, and coaching. But, the program comes as a kit costing well over $400 and loaded with processed foods.
Our research team decided to take a closer look. All evidence shows that reducing caloric intake and adding exercise is the best way to reach healthy weight goals.
Does Optimal Weight 5&1 offer anything different to justify that hefty price tag? We looked at the kit ingredients, studied the diet plan, read user feedback, and summarized our findings for you.
Optimal Weight 5&1 Plan can be purchased through their Official Site.
Optimal Weight 5&1 Plan Readers:Noom is offering our readers a risk-free trial, for a limited time. Click here for more information!
Overview
What is the Optimal Weight 5&1 Plan?
Also known as the Medifast 5&1 Plan, the Optimal Weight 5&1 Plan is a program that helps you reach your ideal weight and maintain the results for the long term.
You eat six times a day (small meals), receive expert coaching and advice, and allow Optavia fuelings to help you manage what you eat.
With the Optimal Weight 5 and 1 Plan, you will need to purchase a kit, which consists of Optavia products such as snack bars, shakes, smoothies, cereals, soups, and other Optavia foods. Here are the kits for the TSFL 5&1 Plan: Essential Optimal Kit, Select Favorites Kit, and Essential On-The-Go Kit.
Does the Optimal Weight 5&1 Plan work for weight loss?
- International Journal of Obesity– research that shows the importance of “portion control in weight management.”
- Nutrients–Some research suggests knowing portion sizes isn’t enough. The study shows tools aimed at helping the user learn portion sizes are effective.
- Appetite–suggests training is useful in learning portions.
Products Similar to Optimal Weight 5&1 Plan
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|---|---|---|
| Vega One | read | |
| Reliv | read | |
| Optavia | read | |
| Noom | read |
Explanation of Price
This is how much it costs to start on the respective program. We always recommend trying a product before making a large investment.
- = Initial product cost is less than $5
- = Initial product cost is between $6 and $50
- = Initial product cost is between $51 and $150
- = Initial product cost is $151 or more
Company Info
Optavia (Take Shape for Life) – The Company Behind 5&1 Plan
Take Shape for Life is primarily owned by Medifast (the parent company). It was started back in 2002 and is based in Baltimore from Owings Mills, Maryland.
Aside from the Optimal Weight 5 and 1 Plan, Take Shape for Life also offers the Optimal Health 3&3 Plan, Optimal 4&2&1 Plan, and Powerful Hydration to help you sustain a healthy weight after you reach your weight loss goal.
Take Shape for Life also offers personal coaching and daily inspiration to help you reach your goals. You can shop for the kits and Optavia Medifast foods directly through the official website.
As of 2019, Medifast expanded the business into Hong Kong and Singapore.
Medifast Customer Service
Medifast, Inc. was founded in 1989 and is rated well by the Better Business Bureau (A+). We also took a look at the Consumer Affairs website, where there are more than 400+ consumer reviews. We found both positive and negative responses to Medifast and the customer service they offer. You can contact customer service at 888.OPTAVIA (1.888.678.2842). The address for Optavia is:
100 International Drive
18th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21202
As of January 2022, Optavia, LLC is rated 1.6 out of 5 stars on BBB. They’ve closed 580 complaints in the previous three years and 281 complaints in the past 12 months.
In 2020, Optavia Essential Old Fashioned Maple & Brown Sugar Oatmeal were voluntarily recalled due to undeclared traces of milk.
Products Available From Optavia
- Optimal Weight 4&2&1 Plan
- Optimal Health 3&3 Plan
- Creamy Chocolate Shake Mix
- Yogurt Berry Blast Smoothie Mix
- Frothy Cappuccino Drink Mix
- Cranberry Honey Nut Granola Bar
- Zesty Cheddar & Italian Herb Crunchers
- Cinnamon Sugar Sticks
- Jalapeno Cheddar Poppers
- Rustic Tomato Herb Penne
Scroll below for one of the best products we’ve seen over the last year.
Benefits
Optimal Weight 5&1 Plan Benefits
Here is a rundown of the Optimal Weight 5&1 Plan benefits and perks:
- Lose weight fast
- Select from 5 Optavia Fuelings each day (every 2-3hours)
- 60 different Optavia Fuelings to choose from
- One Lean & Green Meal per day
- Optavia bars and foods are convenient for on-the-go
- Feel satiated (full)
- Burn off fat
Research
The Research Behind Optimal Weight 5&1 Plan
The official website states, “Our products are scientifically formulated with the right balance of carbohydrates, protein, fat, and sugar to help you burn fat and retain muscle on your health journey.”
It goes on to say that, “We’ve worked with physicians, scientists, and nutritionists to create portion-controlled fuelings to make it easy for you to stay on your plan and keep the focus where it belongs: on gaining your Optimal Health.”
According to the journalObesity Science and Practice, “Evidence‐based commercial programs can be an important tool to help adults with overweight and obesity lose clinically relevant amounts of weight.”
Getting Started
How to Get Started With Optimal Weight 5&1 Plan
To get started with Optimal Weight 5&1 Plan, you need to order one of the kits. The kit will include Optavia Select Fuelings to last you for 20-30 days. This means many Optavia shakes, bars, cereals, smoothies, and dishes.
You will also have one-on-one coaching available and Optavia recipes, and an online community to assist you.
Other Optimal Health Programs
Other Optimal Health programs from Take Shape for Life include the Optimal Health 3&3 Plan, Optimal Health 4&2&1 Plan, and Purposeful Hydration. Unlike the Optimal Weight Loss 5 & 1 Plan, this program involves eating three balanced meals a day and three Optimal Health fuelings to sustain your healthy weight.
But portion sizes are still relevant, and you need to eat every 2-3 hours to stay on track. A final option is the Optavia 4&2&1 Plan. You eat four Optavia Fuelings meals, two green and lean meals you prepare, and a snack on this plan.
Optavia Premier
Optavia premier is another popular subscription plan available from Optavia. With this plan, individuals receive free meals, free shipping on all orders, and exclusive discounts. Once individuals choose their kit, the membership program ships it automatically every month.
Foods
Optavia Food – Is The Optimal Weight 5 & 1 Plan Healthy?
There are dozens of Optavia Fuelings to choose from on the 5&1 Plan. This includes supplements, snacks, shakes, teas, smoothies, bars, desserts, pasta, and even breakfast foods.
While these Optavia products are available individually on the official website, you can also find them in the kits. You should expect to eat many bars and shakes on this diet plan, which is processed foods. There may be Optimal 5&1 Plan diy, or do-it-yourself, food options as well.
Ingredients
Optimal Weight 5&1 Fuelings – Are the Ingredients Effective for Weight Loss?
Protein
Commonly found in meats, dairy products, eggs, soybeans, nuts, beans, seeds, and legumes, this macronutrient is made up of amino acids. It helps reduce appetite, repair the body, and build lean muscle tissue.
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition notes that protein plays an important part in weight management. Additionally, the journal Obesity Factsstudied the connection between protein and weight loss, concluding “participants with more adherence rate in the HPD [high-potein diet] group lost significantly more weight.”
Fiber
This indigestible carbohydrate is also called roughage in produce, whole grains, nuts, beans, and seeds. It moves through the digestive tract to help with regularity and gut health. Based on research presented in the Journal of Nutrition, “dietary fiber intake, independently of macronutrient and caloric intake, promotes weight loss and dietary adherence in adults with overweight or obesity consuming a calorie-restricted diet.”
Essential Vitamins and Minerals
Found in a variety of foods, these nutrients are crucial for healthy body function. According to theNational Institutes of Health – Office of Dietary Supplements, “foods in nutrient-dense forms contain essential vitamins and minerals and also dietary fiber and other naturally occurring substances that may have positive health effects.”
However, excessive vitamin intake is also associated with a higher weight, according to research published inWoD.
Probiotics
Also called good bacteria, these are live microorganisms that help promote gut health, which aids with regularity and the prevention of problems like diarrhea and constipation. According to the journalNutrients, “probiotics, which are generally considered safe for human health, have shown some promise.”
Monk Fruit Extract
A natural sweetener used in foods and supplements, often to reduce calories. It’s more than 100 times sweeter than traditional cane sugar. Research available in theNutrition Journalconcluded, “this scoping review identifies the needs for future research to address the numerous evidence gaps related to health effects of NNSs [non-nutritive sweeteners] use.”
Side Effects
Optavia Side Effects
As with most diet foods and supplements, you may notice some side effects with Optavia prepackages fuelings. This is likely due to certain ingredients. Some of the reported side effects are as follows:
- Loose stools
- Bloating
- Gas
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Upset stomach
- Diarrhea
Medifast customers mentioned these unpleasant effects statesConsumer Affairs.
Cost
Optimal Weight 5&1 Plan Cost
You are encouraged by Take Shape for Life to join OPTAVIA Premier to make the Optimal Weight 5&1 Plan easy and convenient. This allows you to buy the Octavia kits (119 servings), which have everything you need.
The Optimal Weight 5&1 Plan pyramid costs $428.20 and comes in two options: Essentials Optimal Kit and Essential On-The-Go Kit.
Although no longer available, other weight plan options includedEssential Optimal Kit with the Habits of Health System, Select Optimal Kit with the Habits of Health System, and Essential On-The-Go Kit with the Habits of Health System – all of which cost between $292-426.
If you are eating six times per day, a kit will not even last one month. The least you will spend is $300 a month, but likely more around $400 to $500. Currently, the weight-loss plans are only available for purchase on the official Optavia website, where there is an Optimal Weight 5&1 Plan pdf available as well.
Optimal Weight 5&1 Plan Refund Policy
On their official website, Optavia mentions a 30-day return policy. However, individuals can only receive a refund on consumable items, meaning that opened packages can not be refunded.
Additionally, customers will need to receive a Return Merchandise Authorization Number before being able to ship back any products. Customers are responsible for shipping fees.
Results
Optimal Weight 5&1 Weight Loss Results
According to the official website, the average weight loss on the Optimal Weight 5&1 Plan is 20 pounds, which occurs in an average of 12 weeks. But weight loss results will vary from person to person, depending on your effort and lifestyle.
What Users Are Saying
“I am on 5&1 Optavia program. Most of the fuelings take time to get used to but once you do it is easy to follow along. At first it tasted like dirt but my taste buds have completely changed. This has become my favorite fueling so far.”
“I am 1 week in with my Optavia 5 & 1 first 30 days and the Creamy Vanilla Shake is a must! There are so many other uses than just a shake. It is a creamy, tasty and filling fueling. It is easy and convenient to take to work, even adding it to your coffee makes for a yummy morning treat.”
“The Optavia Mint Chip bars are one of my favorite flavors from the 5&1 plan. I am a fan of mint anyway and they remind me of a Thin Mint girl scout cookie. I will be ordering them with each shipment. Some of the Optavia products have a protein powder smell and this one does not. A must have if you love mint chocolate.”
Bottom Line
The Bottom Line on Optimal Weight 5&1 Plan
Controlling your daily caloric intake and food portion sizes with the Optimal Weight 5&1 Plan may indeed help you drop some pounds. After all, it has been shown that reducing your calories aids with weight loss.
This Optimal 5&1 Plan indeed offers many food options, and you do receive coaching to help you reach your goals. But there are a few concerns we have with this Take Shape for Life program.
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FAQs
Why do people lose so much weight on OPTAVIA? ›
The Optavia diet minimizes caloric intake, and a calorie deficit (meaning you use more calories for energy than you consume) can result in weight loss.
How long does it take to get in fat burn on OPTAVIA? ›OPTAVIA recommends that you contact your healthcare provider before starting and throughout your weight loss journey. It generally takes about 3 to 5 days to get into the fat-burning state if you're following the Optimal Weight 5 & 1 Plan® recommendations.
What is the 5&1 weight loss plan? ›Like other meal replacement diets, the Optavia Diet provides users with an array of branded products. The 5&1 plan is the most popular and designed for rapid weight loss. 2 On this plan, users eat five Optavia fuelings and one low-calorie lean green meal daily.
What are the cons of OPTAVIA? ›About three weeks worth of fuelings cost $350 to $450, and this does not include the cost of groceries for the once-a-day home cooked meals. The price does include one-on-one health coaching, but most of Optavia's coaches are not certified health professionals and are unqualified to give dietary or medical advice.
Can you cheat on the Optavia diet? ›The short answer is no. However, on the Optavia diet plan, cheating can have some pretty immediate consequences. For starters, you might feel fatigued and irritable. You may start to notice cravings come back quickly and even more hunger between your next meals.
Can I do Optavia on my own? ›Optavia uses similar foods with an identical macronutrient profile, but consumers can sign up for the plan themselves online.
Can you keep weight off after Optavia? ›You can certainly lose weight on an Optavia plan, but you may gain it back when you stop using Optavia. Optavia plans also encourage you to consume many of your calories through Optavia "Fuelings," which includes bars, shakes, cookies, puddings, cereals and soups.
How much do Optavia coaches make? ›$54,310. The estimated total pay for a Health Coach at OPTAVIA is $54,310 per year.
Can you have fruit on Optavia? ›On the Optimal Weight 4 & 2 & 1 Plan®, you may incorporate a starch, fruit, dairy choice, or OPTAVIA Snack into one of your mealtimes.
What knocks you out of fat burn? ›Eating more than 50 grams can kick your body out of ketosis ( 2 ). As carbs are your body's preferred energy source, your body will use them over ketone bodies — the main source of fuel during ketosis, which are derived from fats — as soon as a sufficient number of carbs are available ( 2 ).
Why have I stopped losing weight on OPTAVIA? ›
If you notice you haven't lost any weight within a two-week period: Make sure you're following your plan exactly, not skipping Fuelings, sticking to your Lean & Green meal guidelines, and weighing and measuring your portions carefully. Make sure you are drinking water. We recommend drinking 64 ounces of water each day.
Can you drink coffee while on OPTAVIA? ›Is it safe to drink coffee while using Optavia or Medifast? "Yes, you may have coffee while on the program," says Christman. "However, we recommend limiting caffeine to 300 milligrams or less per day as you may be more sensitive to the effects of caffeine on a reduced-calorie meal plan."
How many calories should I eat a day on Optavia 5 and 1? ›The 5 & 1 plan is considered a very-low-calorie diet since it provides only 800 to 1000 calories. An energy intake this low makes it very hard to get all recommended nutrients, and research does not suggest the diet or the weight loss is necessarily maintainable.
Is Optavia a pyramid? ›The best description of a pyramid scheme is a company that relies on people selling their product for a cut of the profit and a chain of people getting profit shares is created. A company will focus heavily on recruiting new people so they can make more money at the top. This is precisely what Optavia does.
Can you eat cheese on Optavia? ›For the purposes of Optavia and the 5&1 Plan you can work cheese into the plan as a protein, healthy fat, or condiment because of its nutrition content. Check out the vegetarian guide for lean options.
Can you eat bacon on Optavia? ›Browse our selection of amazing OPTAVIA Bacon recipes that are sure to keep you on plan and reaching your weight loss goals! We've compiled some of the best lean and green Bacon recipes we could find and put them with some other great OPTAVIA Bacon recipes all in one easy to find place!
Is Optavia like Keto? ›In short, no OPTAVIA is not a keto diet. While there are some similarities, OPTAVIA has a greatly reduced daily fat intake and will have higher carbs. A typical daily carb intake on OPTAVIA is 60-80 grams and on Keto, that number should be no higher than 50g per day.
How much do Optavia coaches make per client? ›Commissions range from 18% to 31%, and consistency bonuses are $250 to $1,000 if you maintain sales for a rolling quarter. If you recruit other coaches, you can advance in the company ranks, and you can earn commissions when your recruits sell.
What to do if I run out of Optavia Fuelings? ›- Happy Muncher's Fueling-Substitute Recipe Book. ...
- WonderSlim Meal Replacement Protein Bar. ...
- Quest Nutrition (High Protein) 2.12 Ounce Bars. ...
- GoRaw Dark Chocolate Protein Bars (Vegan Alternative) ...
- RXBAR Protein Bar. ...
- Kellogg's Special K Protein Bars. ...
- IQ Bars.
A good time to fast would be after a cheat day, when you've ingested extra calories and other toxins. It doesn't even need to be a whole dedicated to fasting. Instead, you can just skip a meal or consolidate eating all your calories into one window of time.
Is popcorn allowed on Optavia? ›
Crisps & Popcorn
In addition to Fuelings and Lean and Green meals, you can enjoy an optional snack on our plans each day! Portion controlled, guilt free, and convenient, keep these on hand for a burst of flavor, and a satisfying crunch on all of our plans.
- 3 celery stalks.
- 1/2 cup serving sugar-free gelatin, such as Jell-O®
- Up to 3 pieces of sugar-free mints.
- 2 pieces sugar-free pastilles.
- 3 tablespoons dried anchovies (ikan bilis)
- 15g of nuts: almonds (10 whole), walnuts (7 halves), or pistachios (20 kernels)*
The Optavia diet is a diet that restricts your calorie intake to induce weight loss. Some customers have experienced side effects when following Optavia, including hair loss.
How many calories should I eat a day on Optavia 5 and 1? ›The 5 & 1 plan is considered a very-low-calorie diet since it provides only 800 to 1000 calories. An energy intake this low makes it very hard to get all recommended nutrients, and research does not suggest the diet or the weight loss is necessarily maintainable.
What can I snack on while on Optavia? ›- 3 celery stalks.
- 1/2 cup serving sugar-free gelatin, such as Jell-O®
- Up to 3 pieces of sugar-free mints.
- 2 pieces sugar-free pastilles.
- 3 tablespoons dried anchovies (ikan bilis)
- 15g of nuts: almonds (10 whole), walnuts (7 halves), or pistachios (20 kernels)*
On the Optimal Weight 4 & 2 & 1 Plan®, you may incorporate a starch, fruit, dairy choice, or OPTAVIA Snack into one of your mealtimes.
Why have I stopped losing weight on Optavia? ›If you notice you haven't lost any weight within a two-week period: Make sure you're following your plan exactly, not skipping Fuelings, sticking to your Lean & Green meal guidelines, and weighing and measuring your portions carefully. Make sure you are drinking water. We recommend drinking 64 ounces of water each day.
How much do Optavia coaches make? ›$54,310. The estimated total pay for a Health Coach at OPTAVIA is $54,310 per year.
Are Optavia Fuelings low carb? ›The most popular Optavia plan, called the "5&1," consists of eating five fuelings each day and one meal consisting of lean protein and vegetables. "It is basically a low-carb, high protein meal plan," says Erin Holley, RD, a registered dietitian at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Can you eat bananas on OPTAVIA? ›Fresh whole fruit (apple, pear, orange) Chopped fresh fruit Canned fruit (no sugar added) 100% fruit juice Dried fruit Tangerines or plums Grapes Cherries Berries Goji berries (dried, unsweetened) Dates Kiwi Melon (cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon) Banana 1 small (4 oz.) ½ cup ½ cup ½ cup (4 oz.)
Is popcorn allowed on OPTAVIA? ›
Crisps & Popcorn
In addition to Fuelings and Lean and Green meals, you can enjoy an optional snack on our plans each day! Portion controlled, guilt free, and convenient, keep these on hand for a burst of flavor, and a satisfying crunch on all of our plans.
For the purposes of Optavia and the 5&1 Plan you can work cheese into the plan as a protein, healthy fat, or condiment because of its nutrition content.
Can you eat bacon on Optavia? ›Browse our selection of amazing OPTAVIA Bacon recipes that are sure to keep you on plan and reaching your weight loss goals! We've compiled some of the best lean and green Bacon recipes we could find and put them with some other great OPTAVIA Bacon recipes all in one easy to find place!
Can you keep weight off after Optavia? ›You can certainly lose weight on an Optavia plan, but you may gain it back when you stop using Optavia. Optavia plans also encourage you to consume many of your calories through Optavia "Fuelings," which includes bars, shakes, cookies, puddings, cereals and soups.
What alcohol can you drink on Optavia? ›Replace high caloric drinks and mixers with glasses that do not have more than 100 calories, such as whiskey, vodka, tequila, and brandy, and of those, vodka is your best choice.
Can I drink diet Coke on Optavia? ›Stick to calorie-free beverages, like diet soda, unsweetened tea, coffee, sparkling water or sodium-free seltzer. Alcohol OPTAVIA does not recommend the use of alcohol for people in the weight-loss phase of the program, especially if you have diabetes.
Can you drink coffee on Optavia? ›Is it safe to drink coffee while using Optavia or Medifast? "Yes, you may have coffee while on the program," says Christman. "However, we recommend limiting caffeine to 300 milligrams or less per day as you may be more sensitive to the effects of caffeine on a reduced-calorie meal plan."
What are healthy snacks on Optavia? ›- 3 celery stalks.
- 1 fruit-flavored sugar-free Popsicle®
- ½ cup serving sugar-free gelatin, such as Jell-O®
- Up to 3 pieces of sugar-free gum or mints.
- 2 dill pickles spears.
- ½ oz of nuts: almonds (10 whole), walnuts (7 halves), or pistachios (20 kernels)*