Frequent Questions

Q. Isn't using a full formula diet a bit extreme?

A. At first glance, the idea of replacing your normal food with a liquid diet may seem extreme. But there are several things that you should consider before making this judgment.

The OPTIFAST®program has demonstrated its effectiveness in helping over one million people lose weight - and keep it off.
OPTIFAST®is successful for many people that have found more traditional approaches to weight management unsuccessful.
During our program you are closely monitored by our team of medical professionals. No significant side effects from using this program have been reported by individuals being monitored in this way.
OPTIFAST®is not a diet in the same way that most people normally think of a diet. It is a comprehensive health risk management system. In other words, during our program you will consume calorie controlled portions of a nutritionally complete food; you will learn new ways to think about food; you will learn new ways to think about yourself; and you will learn new ways to improve your health through changes in your lifestyle.

Q. Why use a full formula diet for weight loss?

A. Full formula diets provide a unique set of advantages when used by individuals in weight management programs. Our eating behaviors are often deeply entrenched and just cutting back on food portions, as is done in traditional diets, does not often work long term. By using a pre-measured, ready to serve, nutritionally balanced formula as a replacement for your regular diet you achieve the following:

Exact portion and calorie control
Optimal nutritional intake
Decrease your encounters with food throughout the day to lessen the temptation of reverting to old habits.
Provide yourself with the 6 weeks that it has been demonstrated to take to change a behavior and break your old eating patterns.
Reduce some of the anxieties that you may feel about food choices during the day. (Many people report that it is a relief to "take a vacation from food" and the often angst-provoking food choices.)

Q. Is a full formula diet safe?

A. All OPTIFAST®formulas are nutritionally complete, containing high quality biological protein and meeting 100% of the U.S. recommended daily intake. As a member of our program you are medically monitored to reduce the potential for side effects and to maximize improvements in weight-related health risks.

Q. Why not design a low-calorie whole food diet?

A. With self-prepared foods, it is not possible to achieve a balanced low calorie diet that meets all of your nutritional requirements. Add this problem to the fact that most people tend to underestimate calorie intake and overestimate energy expenditure when using self-prepared meals and you can see that a whole food diet will usually result in significantly less weight loss than you will achieve with a formula diet. In fact, studies show that most people actually consume about 50% more calories than they actually think they do this is mostly because they are in denial about what they eat.

Q. Will I be hungry if I'm not eating regular foods?

A. The feeling of hunger and the impulsive desire to eat are real concerns. The causes of hunger, whether physical or emotional are difficult to determine to increase success in sticking with the diet program, controlling hunger is primary objective. This control involves both preventing and managing hunger sensations. The program staff will suggest various techniques to accomplish this goal. The good news is that, for most participants, hunger sensations fade within a few days to two weeks after starting the program.

Q. What can I do if I'm invited out to eat while I'm on the program?

A. Dealing with social eating events is one of the topics that the staff in the OPTIFAST®program will help you work through. There are a number of options to consider and strategies that people have successfully used to help them enjoy these social events and still stick to the program. Although initially apprehensive, many patients find that not eating is actually the easiest part of the program. Being successful long-term involves improving your eating habits and choices and including regular physical activity.

Q. How do the OPTIFAST products taste?

A. Most individuals find them pleasant and satisfying. Some may prefer one flavor over others. OPTIFAST®offers French vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry flavors; as well as vegetable, chicken, and potato soups that can be heated. Remember that these products are designed to replace food entirely for a limited duration of time. This makes them much different than some commercially available nutritional formulas and products, both in taste and nutritional quality.

Questions

Isn't using a full formula diet a bit extreme?

Why use a full formula diet for weight loss?

Is a full formula diet safe?

Why not design a low-calorie whole food diet?

Will I be hungry if I'm not eating regular foods?

What can I do if I'm invited out to eat while I'm on the program?

How do the OPTIFAST products taste?