The purpose of this article isn’t to bash anyone who has tried OPTAVIA and found success. On the blog and on my Instagram account I like to myth-bust fad dieting in general, but sometimes there’s a specific diet that needs special attention to address some of the claims the company is making. Maybe you’ve come across it while looking for fat loss solutions and you’re curious about whether it would be the right approach for you. The restrictive OPTAVIA diet is low in the three food components most often overconsumed in America: sodium, saturated fat and added sugar.Have you heard of the OPTAVIA diet? It’s one of those trends that’s been floating around on social media, with a mix of transformation photos boasting its effectiveness and plenty of criticism. However, dieters could be sure to work in beet greens, tomatoes, chicken and salmon to boost their potassium intake. Many of the best sources of potassium – such as cantaloupe, bananas, oranges, potatoes, beans and lentils – are excluded from the weight loss plan. The fiber in highly-processed foods is unlikely to be as beneficial for health as the intact fiber found in foods, like beans, berries and whole grains. Although certain leafy green vegetables are rich sources of calcium, the mineral is bound to an oxalate substance in these foods, making the calcium unabsorbable. On the OPTAVIA diet, these nutrients are primarily provided via nutrient-fortified Fuelings.īecause the OPTAVIA diet is low in carbs and calories, it can result in potential health problems, including: However, it’s offset by the lack of foods naturally rich in calcium, such as milk and yogurt, which are slowly added back once you’ve moved out of the weight loss phase.īesides calcium and vitamin D, dairy products provide phosphorus, vitamin A, potassium, protein and several B vitamins to your diet. This diet's low sodium and high protein content could be a boon to skeletal health. If OPTAVIA helps you lose weight and keep it off, it can help tilt the odds in your favor in fending off insulin resistance.Īlthough the stabilization of blood sugar, which promotes energy and productivity, is encouraged by the adequate fiber and protein offered by this plan, it contains highly processed fiber that was created in a laboratory, which may not be as beneficial for health as the intact fiber found in whole foods, like beans, berries and whole grains.Ĭhoosing leafy greens will provide some fiber, magnesium and antioxidants that may help stave off age-related cognitive decline. Neither group showed improved levels of triglycerides, a fatty substance that in excess has been linked to heart disease ( 4).īeing overweight is one of the most significant risk factors for Type 2 diabetes. In a randomized study, total cholesterol was not significantly lower for the Medifast group but had dropped appreciably for the control group. Researchers have reported reduced blood pressure, pulse rate and blood levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation that may predict heart disease risk, in the Medifast dieters.1.5 grams total fat and 0 grams saturated fat.Īccording to federal dietary guidelines, adults should consume 20% to 35% of total calories from fat. 1 gram total fat and 0 grams saturated fat. Essential caramel macchiato flavored shake.1 grams total fat and 0.5 grams saturated fat. Essential roasted garlic creamy smashed potatoes. 2 grams total fat and 1.5 grams saturated fat. Essential decadent chocolate brownie with Greek yogurt chips.3.5 grams total fat and 2 grams saturated fat. Essential creamy double peanut butter crisp bar.Indeed, if a dieter chose the following five Fuelings, they would only consume 9 grams total fat and 4.2 grams saturated fat, which is incredibly low. OPTAVIA states that its Fuelings are lower in fat and cholesterol and enough high-quality soy protein to meet the Food and Drug Administration’s heart health claim. Rapid weight loss increases the risk of arrhythmia, dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Medifast dieters may be able to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, two diabetes-associated risk factors, according to a Medifast-funded study ( 4).Īlthough the OPTAVIA diet may help improve blood lipids and blood pressure due to any weight loss, the absence of fruit, certain vegetables, legumes and whole grains, combined with a reliance on heavily processed foods, makes it unlikely that the OPTAVIA diet will help to prevent heart disease risk factors.Blood glucose levels will likely fall among individuals with pre-diabetes or Type 2 diabetes.Weight loss reduces the risk of many diseases.
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