2024 OPTAVIA Reviews, Cost, Pros & Cons (2024)

(Last Updated On: July 2, 2021)

Looking for an honest OPTAVIA review? Well, let’s start with this…

Are you looking for a way to get healthy, or to even just maintain your current level of health? The awesome folks behind the Medifast diet recently launched a brand new program called OPTAVIA, and it can help you do just that.

OPTAVIA is a brand-new take on their super successful Take Shape for Life program,and it is designed to help take the steps necessary to make a “Lifelong Transformation.”

That makes this program much different from your typical crash dietbecause their main goal is to teach you the skills necessary for a lifetime of health and happiness.

To help you accomplish this, OPTAVIA teaches you habits and sills that are designed to improve your quality of life by helping your mind and body work together.

Sure, they’re going to help you lose some weight, but you’re also going to see improvements to your overall health, confidence, and vitality.

With this in mind, let’s take a closer look at OPTAVIA, to see what it’s really all about.

What is OPTAVIA?

2024 OPTAVIA Reviews, Cost, Pros & Cons (1)

OPTAVIA is a meal delivery and diet coaching program, that comes from the people behind the Medifast diet program (1).

Their moto is helping customers “realize Lifelong Transformation, One Healthy Habit at a Time.”

This means, their approach to weight loss is different than most fad diets, and the goal for people who sign up should be reaching a healthy weight, and then being able to maintain it for life.

They hope to accomplish this by teaching customers how to build healthy habits, but does it work?

Does it Work?

The short answer is yes. The Optavia diet program works, and it can work great for a lot of people who try it (2). Through their unique blend of weight loss coaching and a healthy eating meal delivery plan, the Optavia program has been helping people reach their weight loss goals consistently.

When you sign on with Optavia, you’re going to be working one-on-one with a health coach, who has most likely been in your same shoes. That means they know what it feels like to need to lose weight and improve your health, but they also have personal experience with what it takes to get there!

On top of that, the Optavia meals are specially designed to help you lose weight in a way that’s been proven to be both safe and effective.

Key Benefits

There are a bunch of different benefits when it comes to the Optavia diet plan, including:

  • Meal Delivery Diet Makes Weight Loss More Convenient than Ever
  • Great-Tasting, Healthy Food
  • One-on-One Weight Loss Coaching
  • Proven to be Safe and Effective for Weight Loss

What Kind of Weight Loss Results Can You Expect?

Results are going to vary for everyone, but if you follow the Optavia diet plan, and work closely with your coach, you can expect to lose weight in a way they say is both safe and healthy.

According to clinical research (2), lifestyle interventions programs like OPTAVIA, are a cornerstone for successful weight loss.

OPTAVIA Pros and Cons

You will want to weigh the good and bad before committing to the Optavia diet program. Fortunately, there are lot more pros than cons, but here are just a few to consider:

Pros

  • Proven to Work
  • Meal Delivery Makes Weight Loss Convenient
  • One-on-One Weight Loss Coaching
  • Food Tastes Great
  • Doctor Recommended
  • Teaches You How to Get Healthy and Keep the Weight Off
  • Super Easy to Follow

Cons

  • Expensive (see a cheaper alternative below)
  • Not Everyone Likes Meal Delivery Diet Food

OPTAVIA Cost: How Much per Month?

PRICE: Get Started for Around $350 per Month (Includes Meals & Coaching)

Just Want The Medifast Diet Food? See full Medifast menu and prices here.

When you first head to the OPTAVIA website, you’re going to have a few options for joining. If you opt for one of their meal delivery plans, prices start around $350and can head upwards of $400, depending on options you go with.

Plans & Products

2024 OPTAVIA Reviews, Cost, Pros & Cons (2)

When you first head to their website (3), you’re going to be given some options that should help you choose a plan that works best for you:

As you can see, your first step will be picking what your main goal is:

  • Get Healthy – I Want to Get Health & Feel Better
  • Stay Healthy – I’m at My Optimal Weight & Want to Stay Healthy
  • Take Your First Step – I Would Like to Discuss My Options with an OPTAVIA Coach

Once you decide which one of these goals is going to work best for you, it will be time to get your OPTAVIA Journey started! To do this simply work your way through their online form.

How to Pick Your Plan

To complete it, you’ll need to supply the following info so they can pick the best plan for you:

  • Gender
  • Age Range
  • Goal: Weight Loss or Maintenance
  • How Much Weight You Need to Lose
  • Your Physical Activity Level
  • Do You Have Diabetes?

Based on the information you provide, they will select the best meal delivery plan for you. Here are the different plans they currently offer:

Optimal Weight 5&1 Plan (Plans Start at $392.15)

2024 OPTAVIA Reviews, Cost, Pros & Cons (3)

With this plan, you will eat 6 small meals per day – the first of many healthy habits that you’re going to learn on your journey to better health.

The plan has been designed to help your body ease into an effective fat burning state, while also helping you retain your lean muscle mass.

When you sign up you will have more than 60 “Fuelings” to choose from – these will make up 5 of your small meals each day.

You will also learn how to make their famous meals, so you and your family can enjoy a healthy and delicious dinner together and the end of each day.

By the time you have worked your way through this plan, you should learn exactly what “optimal” nutrition looks and feels like. Plus, you’ll know how to make your own healthy meals!

Optimal Weight 4&2&1 Plan

This plan is a great fit for you if you want to be able to eat from all food groupsand like the idea of being able to have a flexible meal plan so you can reach and maintain a healthy weight.

Four meals each day will be made up of OPTAVIA Fuelings, and then you will be making two Lean & Green meals and one snack on your own each day.l

Optimal Health 3&3 Plan (Plan Starts at $273.55)

The 3&3 Plan is made for people who have reached their optimal weight and want to maintain their current level of health. Each order is packed full of bars, shakes, and smoothies. On this plan, you will eat three OPTIVIA fuelings each day, and 3 meals will be up to you to make.

What Can You Eat?

When you sign up with Optavia or Medifast, they’re going to send you most of the meals and snacks that you need for the month right to your door.

The menu features a variety of delicious weight loss meals, snacks and shakes, that are designed to help you lose weight in a way that’s both safe and effective.

The Optavia menu features a variety of different foods, and you can see the full menu list on their website, or the official Medifast website, if you want a better idea of the types of food you’ll be eating.

Lean & Green Meals

On top of eating the food they send you, you will also be preparing your own healthy meals as well. These are called Lean and Green meals, and Optavia or Medifast provides you with the tools you’ll need to know what it takes to make a delicious and healthy lean and green meal on your own.

Review Summary

OPTAVIA is a proven and effective way to lose weight, get healthier, and learn the habits that will help you maintain your optimal weight for the rest of your life. Their Coaching program is a great way to get support and guidance, and they are there to help you reach your goals!.

As OPTAVIA comes from the awesome folks at Medifast, you can also order the meals and snacks from the Medifast website as well.

Either way, visit the official Medifast website, or connect with an OPTAVIA coach to start your weight loss journey today.

Learn more about the Medifast menu and options here.

Sources

  1. OPTAVIA. Found here: https://www.optavia.com/
  2. L.M. Arterburn, et al, Randomized controlled trial assessing two commercial weight loss programs in adults with overweight or obesity, Obesity Science & Practive. Found at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6381299/
  3. Products and Programs, OPTAVIA. Found at: https://www.optavia.com/weight-loss-products-programs
  4. Medifast vs OPTAVIA
2024 OPTAVIA Reviews, Cost, Pros & Cons (2024)

FAQs

What is the downside of Optavia? ›

Cons of the Optavia Diet

6 In addition to restricting calories, Optavia plans limit food groups, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains—all of which provide essential vitamins and minerals. Sales pressure: Coaching "support" can also be a drawback.

What do doctors say about Optavia? ›

Is the Optavia diet a healthy way to lose weight? The brand promises quick results, but in reality, you are following a very restrictive, low-calorie diet plan which isn't recommended for long-term use. "This, like many other fad diets, is not sustainable for life-long health or long-term success.

What is the average monthly cost of Optavia? ›

Easy… but expensive.

The program itself relies very little on actual cooking. Although you may not be spending as much on groceries, the fuelings provided by the company do not come cheap. Optavia fuelings can cost hundreds of dollars - on average, a whopping $425 per month.

How long does it take to lose 10 lbs on Optavia? ›

Average weight loss on the Optimal Weight 4 & 2 & 1 Plan® is 10 pounds. Clients are in weight loss, on average, for 12 weeks. ACCOMPANIED BY THE DISCLAIMER: * In a clinical study, the group on the Optimal Weight 4 & 2 & 1 Plan lost 10 pounds and the self-directed control group lost 1 pound.

What is the OPTAVIA controversy? ›

The problem with all of Optavia's plans is that they do not teach you how to eat healthily. Nor do they help you build healthy habits. Optavia claims to be a "balanced nutrition" program, but Optavia only offers prepackaged foods and shakes for your dieting needs.

Do OPTAVIA coaches make money? ›

OPTAVIA Coaches are compensated based on orders placed by their personally sponsored and supported Clients. A Client can order online via a Coach's personalized OPTAVIA website (which is provided by the Company) or by calling 1.888. OPTAVIA.

How did Kelly Clarkson lose weight? ›

Kelly said she changed her diet.

“I eat a healthy mix,” she said. “I dropped weight because I've been listening to my doctor—a couple years I didn't. And 90 percent of the time I'm really good at it because a protein diet is good for me anyway. I'm a Texas girl, so I like meat—sorry, vegetarians in the world!”

Do you gain weight back after optavia? ›

After 24 weeks, 15% of the Optavia group had dropped out and regained 10 lbs and after 40 weeks 55% of the Optavia dropped out and had gained their weight back. So, again this highlights that long-term is the problem. People do not keep weight off long-term following these fad diets.

What happens when you stop Optavia? ›

What happens when you stop Optavia? The ONLY way to prevent weight regain is to continue to eat 800-1000 calories per day. As shared earlier, we know that's not healthy for anyone and it is not sustainable. You will gain the weight back unless you want to follow the 5 and 1 plan or under eat for forever.

What is Oprah taking for weight loss? ›

Winfrey, who in December admitted to using weight loss medication, empathized with the guests who shared why they turned to prescription medications such as Ozempic, Mounjaro, Victoza and Wegovy. "This is what I got for the first time after I took the medication.

Why is Optavia so expensive? ›

The Optavia Diet relies on severe calorie restriction and processed foods, which are expensive to purchase. That makes it restrictive and unrealistic, says Holley.

What is similar to Optavia but cheaper? ›

What are some cheaper protein shakes similar to Optavia? There are several cheaper protein shakes that are similar to Optavia, such as Premier Protein, Orgain, and Muscle Milk.

What are the negative reviews on Optavia? ›

Potential drawbacks
  • You'll need to pay for the diet program and grocery store items for lean-and-green meals.
  • Low-calorie meals can slow metabolism and cause extreme fatigue.
  • The most common complaints about Optavia on Better Business Bureau include poor customer service and billing issues.
May 16, 2024

How do people lose weight so fast on Optavia? ›

The Optavia diet is designed to help people lose weight and fat by reducing calories and carbs through portion-controlled meals and snacks. The 5&1 plan limits calories to 800–1,000 per day, divided among 6 portioned-controlled meals.

What did Optavia used to be called? ›

Once known as Medifast, Optavia is a diet that promises weight loss with a very structured diet made up of mostly prepackaged Optavia-branded meals and snacks.

Does Optavia cause health issues? ›

It Can Cause Digestive Problems

Some dieters have reported digestive symptoms like gas, constipation and diarrhea on Medifast or Optavia, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Is Optavia actually good for you? ›

BOTTOM LINE: The Optavia diet has been shown to result in short-term weight loss, but research is needed on its long-term effectiveness. The weight loss plan has limited food options and relies largely on packaged, heavily processed meals and snacks.

Do you gain weight back after Optavia? ›

After 24 weeks, 15% of the Optavia group had dropped out and regained 10 lbs and after 40 weeks 55% of the Optavia dropped out and had gained their weight back. So, again this highlights that long-term is the problem. People do not keep weight off long-term following these fad diets.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Mrs. Angelic Larkin

Last Updated:

Views: 5319

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (47 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Mrs. Angelic Larkin

Birthday: 1992-06-28

Address: Apt. 413 8275 Mueller Overpass, South Magnolia, IA 99527-6023

Phone: +6824704719725

Job: District Real-Estate Facilitator

Hobby: Letterboxing, Vacation, Poi, Homebrewing, Mountain biking, Slacklining, Cabaret

Introduction: My name is Mrs. Angelic Larkin, I am a cute, charming, funny, determined, inexpensive, joyous, cheerful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.