Oprah has certainly gone on many different diets over the years. But for anyone wondering if Oprah has ever done Medifast, I’m pretty sure the answer is no. In the 1980s, Oprah went on a diet quite similar to Medifast at the time. But this diet was actually called Optifast and is owned by another company.
The great similarity between Optifast and Medifast is that both were essentially liquid diets in the 80’s. This led to very rapid weight loss, not just for Oprah but for many other dieters as well. Oprah lost about 65 pounds in just a few months. But you may have noticed – she’s got it all back. This usually happens to many dieters who follow very strict and very low calorie diets like Optifast. In fact, the diet is so strict that it really requires medical supervision to make sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need and not harming your internal organs.
While Medifast was actually similar to Optifast back then, it has changed a lot over the years. First off, Medifast is no longer strictly a liquid diet. Almost all Medifast dieters now follow what is called a 5 and 1 plan. This refers to the fact that you eat five Medifast foods each day, and then make yourself a lean and green meal using fresh vegetables, greens, and quality protein sources like chicken or fish.
Also, the Medifast foods aren’t just shakes anymore. There are now many different bars, puddings, different oatmeal flavors and even a few soups, chili and some hot drinks like cocoa and chai latte. The variety helps make Medifast more interesting and easier to adhere to over the long term. And the lean and green meal is designed to help you plan your own meals so you can maintain your weight loss while maintaining it.
Optifast still exists, but I’m not that familiar with how Optifast works these days, although I know it’s still a meal replacement program. It’s also a diet that requires you to go to a doctor’s office rather than ordering it at home. That’s one of the great benefits of Medifast. By switching to the 5-and-1 plan and incorporating fresh, whole foods into your daily diet, you can safely use Medifast yourself. However, it’s always a good idea to let your doctor know what you’re doing if he or she has any concerns about your health.
Thanks to Jenni Kerala
