The Medi-Weightloss Program is a physician-supervised weight loss program with more than 90 locations throughout the United States. It has gained popularity; however, some critics find the program overly restrictive, expensive, and hard to follow. This article delves into the Medi-Weightloss diet, examining its mechanics, effectiveness, and overall value.
Overview of the Medi-Weightloss Program
The Medi-Weightloss Program is a high-protein, low-carb diet plan designed to promote long-lasting weight loss. Entrepreneur Edward Kaloust created it in 2005. The program requires regular check-ins at a Medi-Weightloss clinic and may include supplements, prescription medications, or injections.
Diet Review Scorecard
- Overall score: 2.25/5
- Weight loss: 2
- Healthy eating: 2
- Sustainability: 2.5
- Whole body health: 2
- Nutrition quality: 3
- Evidence based: 2
BOTTOM LINE: The Medi-Weightloss Program offers personalized guidance for long-term weight loss. However, it is very low in calories, making it quite restrictive. It is also higher in cost, yet research on the effectiveness of this diet is limited. The program also recommends branded supplements that you may not need, adding to the cost.
How the Medi-Weightloss Program Works
The Medi-Weightloss Program begins with an initial consultation with a medical professional at one of the company’s clinics. During this consultation, the professional gathers information about your health history and may conduct tests like a blood panel or body composition analysis. The medical professional uses this information to create a custom diet and exercise plan. You can also increase your intake of calories and carbohydrates.
For most people, the Medi-Weightloss Program recommends transitioning to a 40/30/30 plan, which consists of:
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- 40% of total daily calories from carbohydrates
- 30% from healthy fats
- 30% from protein
The Medi-Weightloss Program is divided into three phases, involving an initial consultation with a medical professional and regular check-ins at one of the company’s clinics.
Foods to Eat and Avoid
The exact guidelines for which foods you should eat vary depending on which program phase you are in. However, the program typically involves eating plenty of fruits, non-starchy vegetables, heart-healthy fats, and lean protein sources. Since the initial acute weight loss phase aims to induce ketosis, reducing high-carb foods is necessary.
Recommended Foods
- Fruits: apples, oranges, berries, kiwi, pears, peaches, plums
- Non-starchy vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, spinach, kale, tomatoes
- Proteins: lean cuts of beef and pork, skinless poultry, seafood, eggs, tofu, tempeh
- Nuts: almonds, walnuts, macadamia nuts, pistachios, cashews
- Seeds: hemp seeds, chia seeds, flaxseed, sunflower seeds
- Cooking oils: olive oil, coconut oil, vegetable oil
- Beverages: water, coffee, unsweetened tea
Some higher-carbohydrate foods are permitted in moderation, including dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt, butter), whole grains (quinoa, brown rice, oats, farro), starchy vegetables (potatoes, corn, peas, beets, yam, parsnips), and legumes (black beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, lentils).
Foods to Avoid
On the Medi-Weightloss Program, you should limit highly processed foods or those rich in carbohydrates or added sugar.
- Processed foods: fast food, convenience meals, fried foods, chips, pretzels
- Refined carbs: white pasta, white bread, crackers
- Sweets: baked goods, cookies, cakes, candies
- Beverages: soda, juice, sweet tea, energy drinks, sports drinks
- Sugar: white sugar, brown sugar, maple syrup, honey
The Medi-Weightloss Program generally involves eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and proteins while limiting processed and refined foods high in carbohydrates or sugar.
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Effectiveness of the Medi-Weightloss Program
According to a 2020 study, people following the Medi-Weightloss Program lost an average of 21% of their body weight after 39 weeks. They also experienced significant reductions in body fat and belly fat throughout the program. However, this study was funded by Medi-Weightloss, and the researchers were employed by the company, which may bias these results.
While there is no other peer-reviewed research available on the effects of this diet specifically, studies show that similar eating patterns may be effective for weight loss. For instance, multiple studies have found that low-carb diets can increase weight loss and reduce body fat. Other research shows that increasing protein intake can enhance feelings of fullness, reduce appetite, and change body composition.
The plan also involves regular check-ins and counseling from a medical professional, which can provide extra support and guidance and be beneficial for weight loss.
One study funded by Medi-Weightloss found that the diet helped promote weight loss and fat loss. Other research shows that similar eating patterns may be beneficial for weight loss.
Potential Benefits
In addition to its potential for weight loss, the Medi-Weightloss Program may offer several other benefits. The program is tailored to your needs and includes personalized guidance from a healthcare professional, along with detailed resources like shopping lists, recipes, and workout plans.
Read also: Is Medi-Weightloss Effective?
For people with underlying health conditions, food allergies, or those taking medications, this may be a better fit than a one-size-fits-all diet plan that doesn’t take individual needs into account. A healthcare professional can offer support and adjust your plan as needed, which can set you up for long-term success.
The plan is split into several phases, which may be a good fit for those who prefer a more structured program. It also eases your transition into the final wellness phase and allows you to stay in this phase for as long as you want to help you maintain your weight loss over time.
The Medi-Weightloss Program is tailored to your needs and includes individualized guidance from a medical professional. It is also split into several phases and includes a final phase that supports long-term weight maintenance.
Downsides to Consider
There are several downsides to consider when determining whether Medi-Weightloss is right for you. There’s very little research on the program specifically, apart from studies funded directly by the company.
Medi-Weightloss supplements contain herbs, including hoodia, guarana, and Gymnema sylvestre, that may interact with medications and lead to side effects. Most people would probably find these supplements unnecessary.
The plan can be very restrictive and difficult to follow, especially during the initial weight loss phase. Because many high-carbohydrate foods are limited, eating at restaurants or in social settings may also be challenging, which can make the diet more difficult to stick to long-term.
Although prices can vary depending on which clinic you go to, Medi-Weightloss programs can also be very expensive. For example, prices for the initial consultation typically range from $250-300, and check-ins cost an additional $75-100 per week. This is significantly more pricey than other popular diet programs, such as WW (formerly Weight Watchers) or Noom.
In contrast, most health insurance policies cover medical nutrition therapy with a dietitian. This is a much more affordable way to get personalized weight loss therapy. If you purchase any packaged foods, supplements, or medications along with the program, the total price will increase further.
The program requires weekly or monthly check-ins at one of the 90 Medi-Weightloss clinics around the country. Therefore, the program may not be ideal for those who don’t live near a clinic.
The Medi-Weightloss Program is restrictive and may be more expensive than other diet plans. There is also limited research on the effectiveness of this diet specifically.
Sample Meal Plan
Your specific diet plan can vary based on your nutritional needs, your weight loss goals, and which phase of the program you’re in. Here is a 3-day sample meal plan to give you an idea of what your menu may look like during the initial acute weight loss phase of the program.
Day 1
- Breakfast: omelet with mushrooms, tomatoes, and bell peppers
- Lunch: garlic baked salmon with asparagus
- Dinner: salad with grilled chicken, tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, cucumbers, and avocado
- Snacks: apple slices with peanut butter
Day 2
- Breakfast: smoothie with almond milk, protein powder, flaxseed, spinach, and berries
- Lunch: tofu stir-fry with peppers, broccoli, green beans, and ginger
- Dinner: beef and cabbage soup with veggie side salad
- Snacks: turkey roll-ups with tomatoes and lettuce
Day 3
- Breakfast: scrambled eggs with garlic and kale
- Lunch: baked pork chops with cauliflower rice and broccoli
- Dinner: lemon pepper chicken with sautéed Brussels sprouts
- Snacks: chia pudding with fresh fruit
The sample meal plan above provides a few ideas for meals and snacks you can enjoy during the first phase of the program.
Medi-Weightloss Mechanicsville: A Local Perspective
Medi-Weightloss Mechanicsville offers a medically supervised weight loss program. Their trained weight loss professionals aim to make your weight loss journey stress-free and uncomplicated. The GLP-1 program is tailored to your body, lifestyle, and goals.
The clinic provides face-to-face accountability, immediate clinical support, and body composition tracking with medical-grade technology. They aim to deliver expert, evidence-based care to their patients.
Reviews of Medi-Weightloss Mechanicsville
Reviews indicate that the program can work if you stick to it; however, they do push pills and injections. Some reviewers didn't like that you pretty much see a different provider each time, and they end up asking the same questions. Other reviewers praise the wonderful, caring staff who are always willing to help with any concerns or questions. One reviewer joined the Medi-Weightloss program in April and has lost 27.6 lbs following their program and sticking to it. They love their body transformation and feel like they're in their 20s.
Some reviewers note customer service issues, stating that the clinic is always overbooking, which means waiting 45 minutes to 1 hour to be seen. One reviewer has been with Medi weightloss for almost a year and has gotten results (70lbs lost to date). However, since transferring from NJ to the center located at 230 Browns Way off of…
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