By Govind Sanjeevan
The Medifast Program has been in function for over 25 years and has been recommended by over 20,000 doctors since 1980 as well having been clinically proven at Johns Hopkins (Studies conducted by researchers from John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health). Concurrently, the Medifast Program does not claim to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease - however its effectiveness for weight loss has been proven and substantiated. Moreover, through the 5 & 1 Plan, an individual can eat 6 meals a day: 5 meals and 1 Lean & Green Meal (real protein and vegetables). Inclusive of these meals involves 5 meals including shakes, bars, soups, pudding, oatmeal, scrambled eggs and such with an abundance of over 60 meals. In conjunction with these 5 meals, Medifast also allows for a home-cooked meal which is known as the "Lean & Green Meal" consists of a balance of lean protein (such as beef, chicken or fish) and salad or vegetables.
The design of the 5 and 1 Meal Plan is such that it is designed to help an individual gain permanent and healthy eating habits, such as portion-control and eating 6 times per day. Also, in the program involves Transition and Maintenance phase which is designed to accommodate the psychological shift with rewiring lifestyle habits and choices. Lastly, the final stage is Maintenance in wherein an individual gains an understanding of how to sustain your weight loss results by making healthy food choices and living an active lifestyle on a long term basis. In addition, it should be noted that the actual number of calories needed to maintain a stable weight long-term is different for every individual - and the question of finding your own is achieved through experimentation with the Maintenance phase. Also, Medifast offers an online meal planner, weight loss tracker, a community support forum and an exercise guide.
However despite all the pros of the diet program, a few cons which have been raised by people within the community is that the stage 1 (5 & 1 Plan) carries little or no fresh foods, with its predominate goals being a low fat, low calorie blend of balanced foods and appetite suppressors which are presented in easy to eat shakes, bars, puddings, chilis, oatmeals and hot cocoa. Our team was initially skeptical about the 'appetite suppressor' used which is called 'Super Citrimax' and comes from a native Southeast Asian plant, however our concerns were eventually faded as we discovered later that "Garcinia Cambogia" the predominate agent within the suppressor has shown Super Citrimax to be a safe appetite suppressor. A minor caveat however in regards to the usage of the suppressors is that it should only be followed under the direct supervision of a doctor to monitor your weight loss and health.
Moreover, the effects of Super Citrimax, according to the studies, range from inhibiting fat synthesis, decreasing food intake, reducing depression, insomnia, migraines and other serotonin-deficient type conditions. Generally, through further studies and research, it has been concluded that an intake of up to 2800mg a day of HCA has been shown to have no related side effects, with the studies being conducted extensively with clinical testing. Another related issue which may hence arrive in the form of a suppressor dependence for success, meaning that going off the program in the end and doing without the appetite suppressor, could actually result in making it difficult to maintain your new eating habits.
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