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Medifast

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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

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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Star Rating

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4.1

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19 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

37%

4 grade

37%

3 grade

21%

2 grade

5%

1 grade

0%

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Dale Ash Sandy, UT

Medifast is a great service! I lost over 40 lbs. The meals are easy to prepare. They taste great! The health coaches are helpful. The biggest challenge is making lifestyle changes to keep the weight off after stopping the meal plan. The company provides the products and great support and teaches you how to make changes. Really a great company!

6 years ago

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Jacinda E Sandy, UT

I used medifast through take shape for life. The food is really easy to make and will get the job done to lose the weight. Take shape for life has awesome materials and a support system that will teach you how to stay at a healthy weight. My one complaint is that the food does get old after eating it for a while and it is pricey.

6 years ago

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Leslie Comstock Orem, UT

Love this program! They have a lot of good choices for meals & snack. Easy to order & plan my meals each day. A little pricey for each meal but I have to admit they make it easy to keep track of calories and to just grab & go!

4 years ago

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Brandie Rudy West Jordan, UT

I love Medifast products. I lost 40 pounds using Medifast and was able to maintain the weight loss for almost a year. The food took some getting used to but once I tried several options I found that I was satisfied with the taste. I especially love the shakes and bars they are quick easy and able to keep me on track in my weight loss journey.

5 years ago

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Brinley Knowles Smithfield, UT

I was on this diet for four months and I had lost over twenty pounds. It is such a great plan if you stick with it and are consistent. It is tough at first but once you get used to everything it gets easier and it is all worth it in the end.

5 years ago

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Amber Saratoga Springs, UT

The Medifast system works. I lost 15 lbs. in the first 2 months. The meals are okay. My favorite was the brownie that you cook in the microwave. There are a lot of choices and even some options online that you can use to doctor up some of the meals or turn them into something else completely. One of the downsides is that I had to set a timer to help myself remember to eat every 2-3 hours.

5 years ago

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Sofie Rosenvall Alpine, UT

I purchased Medifast about 1 year ago... I instantly fell in love with their items... I was able to eat a warm brownie, chicken noodle soup, yummy pretzels, and drink a yummy chocolate shake to name a few! All while eating these yummy foods I was able to loose close to 40 pounds in weight... I am grateful that I found Medifast and stuck with it! Its an amazing company!

5 years ago

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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

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Ann Bailey Lehi, UT

I lost my last 20 pounds with Medifast. The program was easy to follow, and constant mentoring by my health coach still gives me encouragement even when I'm not on the plan. I had to give it four stars, because some of the food just doesn't taste good, no matter how many hacks you try.

5 years ago

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Denise H. Mona, UT

The food is pretty bad!! If you can stand to eat it, most people I know who have been on it do lose weight. But like most weight loss programs, once you go back to normal life an eating patterns, it's really hard to maintain your weight.

6 years ago

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Ceri Marie Day Plano, TX

I've used these products with Take Shape for Life. This can be a really great tool. Four stars because I think people can get stuck on trying this and pouring money into it. If it isn't working you should stop buying.

2 years ago

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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

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Charlotte Ash Sandy, UT

I liked the knowledge from the books and coaching I received from Medifast. The food was okay but it was easy to use.

6 years ago

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Cdavid , MO

Medifast has been the only diet that has worked for me. It is easy to follow and see results quickly.

3 years ago

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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

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Hallieford Arlington, TX

Medifast worked well when I needed to lose those extra pounds I put on. The food tasted good and was convenient.

4 years ago

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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

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Laura White Detroit, MI

Lost over 30 pounds with this company. Grateful they help me get my Health back.

2 years ago

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Chelsey Smith ,

Yes I lost weight fast. Yes it took determination. Yes the pre-made food was good.

3 years ago