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Medifast is a Very Low Calorie
Diet designed for those individuals who met the medical definition of
obesity—at least 20 percent over their ideal body weight. It was developed in
1972 by one of the pioneers in the field of Very Low Calorie Diets, Dr. William
J. Vitale. For a number of years the program was operated out of the Nutrition
Institute of Maryland which continues to function as the educational arm for
participating physicians. In 1979, Dr. Vitale founded Jason Pharmaceutical and
now runs Medifast from there.
AVERAGE WEIGHT LOSS: Three to five pounds per day.
 PERSONAL CONSIDERATIONS: Medifast is a very structured, physician-based Very Low
Calorie Diet. It is also a complete food replacement program which has the
advantage of creating a complete break with regular food habits, but the
disadvantage of a more difficult retraining period when you return to eating
store food. It does offer online support.
While Nutrisystem has a variety
of foods to offer, the Medifast diet program mainly consists of oatmeal, bars
and shakes. While Medifast, like most physician-based programs, is relatively
expensive, you should consider that the cost includes all the "food"
you will be eating during the reducing phase so you will save some money at the
grocery store.
THE DIET: The Medifast diet consists of drinking five servings per
day of a very low calorie beverage that comes in chocolate, vanilla,
strawberry, and orange flavors. Five servings of Medifast 55 for women contain
450 calories, and five servings of Medifast 70 for men contain 480 calories.
Read our complete Medifast Review here or check our coupons here.
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