Medifast Logo

Medifast

star star star star star_border

6.8

Overall Score

LAST UPDATED: January 26th, 2022

Medifast provides portion-controlled meal replacements for weight loss, weight management, and sustained energy. With Medifast, you'll eat six small meals per day. You can combine the plan with your own meals or have all meals provided by Medifast. The plan was developed by William Vitale, M.D., in 1980. When Vitale first began the company, he only sold his products to doctors, who would then prescribe them to patients. Medifast requires a medium level of effort. While the company provides a majority of the foods, you are allowed to add in your own food. The Medifast website is filled with food recommendations, tips, and tools, including the following:

  • Chat function
  • My Wellness Dashboard / App (to keep tabs on your health)
  • Exercise guides
  • Food journal
  • Maintenance meal plans
  • Thyroid Medication information

thumb_up

The Good

  • Nutrient-Dense Meals
  • 30-Day Meal Kits
  • Special Diet Accommodations
  • 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
  • Plan Guides and Tools
  • Studies

Nutrient-Dense Meals  

All of Medifast's weight loss meals are nutrient-dense and fortified with vitamins and minerals. This makes it easier to drop weight without losing out on nutrition. Additionally, each meal has essentially the same nutritional profile designed to have just enough low-fat protein and healthy fiber to keep you full.

30-Day Meal Kits

Medifast offers two 30-day meal kits: Medifast Go and Medifast Achieve.

Medifast Go is designed for those who want to lose weight quickly. The program is an excellent choice for people with busy lifestyles that prefer an easy-to-follow program. 

With Medifast Go, you'll eat five Medifast Meals and one Lean and Green meal each day. This totals six meals in a day, once every two to three hours. 

This kit comes with 147 Medifast meals and four bonus gifts (Welcome Kit, Food Journal, Dining Out Guide, and Blender Bottle). 

If you want a gluten-free meal plan, Medifast offers that too. There is a 30-day gluten-free meal kit. 

The Medifast Achieve kit is for those that like a bit more flexibility with their meal plans. The plan is designed for weight loss but is more gradual than the Medifast Go kit. 

This plan will have you eating four Medifast meals and two Lean and Green meals a day. The kit comes with 126 Medifast Meals and six free bonus gifts (Welcome Kit, Food Journal, Blender Bottle, Healthy Living Workbook, Dining Out Guide, 3 Flavors of Home Lean and Green Meals). 

Special Diet Accommodations

Medifast has designed several weight-loss solutions for customers with diabetes and those with dietary restrictions (such as gluten or soy intolerance). There are also several solutions for seniors, vegetarians, nursing mothers, and more. 

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee Plan Guides and Tools 

Medifast is dedicated to its customers' success and satisfaction. If for any reason you're not happy with your order, Medifast offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Plan Guides and Tools

Medifast has several weight loss PDFs on its website that anyone can look at for free. You can look at the Medifast Go Plan Guide or the Achieve Plan Guide. There is also a Seniors Guide, Exercise Guide, Nursing Mothers Guide, and more.

Studies

If you're interested in reading more about Medifast and how it works, the website provides links to several clinical studies.

Visit Site

thumb_down

The Bad

  • Poor Reviews About Taste
  • Limited Meal Options
  • Return Policies

Poor Reviews About Taste

Although taste can be subjective, the majority of reviewers noted that they did not like the taste of Medifast, even for a diet food.

Limited Meal Options 

While there is a large variety of food, most of it is just snack-type food. In fact, the company only offers a handful of actual meal options.

Return Policies

Medifast does allow returns on consumable products and blenders. However, all return postage fees are the responsibility of the customer.

gavel

The Bottom Line

Medifast seems to be an effective way to steadily lose weight. Many reviewers noted that they did lose weight on the program, but some did complain that the food was bland and unsatisfying in taste. There are a decent amount of meal options available; however, the selection isn't the most diverse, so if you're looking for a program with a vast menu, this probably isn't for you. If you aren't happy with your Medifast purchase, you have 30 days to return your product (consumables and blenders) for a full refund. However, you are responsible for the shipping and handling fees. 

Was this content helpful?
thumb_up Yes thumb_down No

Star Rating

info

4.1

star star star star star_border

19 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

37%

4 grade

37%

3 grade

21%

2 grade

5%

1 grade

0%

Sentiment Criteria

Value

star star star star star_border

Quality

star star star star_half star_border

Service

star star star star star_half

Trustworthiness

star star star star star_half
cancel

Filter by:

arrow_drop_down

Sort by:

arrow_drop_down
info
check_circle

Review Source

star star star star_border star_border

Lesa Burgess Pleasant Grove, UT

I love the simplicity of Medifast. I lost a good chuck of weight rather quickly because it put me into ketosis. It was really hard the first week but after that I felt really good. When I decided to stop using the Medifast food I had a hard time transitioning and gained some weight back just because it's hard to keep up what you do with the plan and the prepackaged food. I felt like every time I really wanted to lose a good amount of weight I would have to go back on the diet and the food and I became kind of dependent on it. That's why I give it 3 stars. I thought it worked great, but it does not mimic real world eating and teaching of food habits.

5 years ago

check_circle

Review Source

star star star star_border star_border

Nichole Hiatt Eagle Mountain, UT

I used Medifast for a month, and had a hard time with the food choices. They were so small and didn't taste great. I didn't have a local coach so it was hard to stay motivated.

4 years ago

check_circle

Review Source

star star star star_border star_border

Myken Salt Lake City, UT

I did Medifast years ago and although I lost over 20 lbs. I don't feel like it's a long term solution to weight loss or a healthy approach. I won't be doing it again.

4 years ago

check_circle

Review Source

star star star star_border star_border

Keri Christensen Lehi, UT

I used this system and it worked really well for me. I lost 30 lbs. in 3 months. The food does not taste great and I got really tired of it after the first couple of weeks.

5 years ago