The MediSlim weight loss program is a physician-supervised plan designed to help individuals lose weight and maintain long-term results. With numerous locations across the United States, it has gained popularity as a structured approach to weight management. This article delves into the details of the MediSlim diet, examining its components, effectiveness, and potential drawbacks.
What is the MediSlim Weight Loss Program?
The MediSlim Weightloss Program is a high-protein, low-carb diet plan designed to promote long lasting weight loss. It was originally created in 2005 by entrepreneur Edward Kaloust. The program involves regular check-ins at a Medi-Weightloss clinic and may include the use of supplements, prescription medications, or injections. The 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.
Initial Consultation and Customization
The Medi-Weightloss Program starts with an initial consultation with a medical professional at one of the company’s clinics. During your consultation, the professional will collect information about your health history and may ask you to go through several tests, such as a blood panel or body composition analysis. The medical professional will use this information to create a custom diet and exercise plan for you.
Dietary Solutions and Appetite Suppressants
Medi-Slim Wellness offers a variety of dietary solutions that can help you look and feel your best. Their goal is to help you lose weight & inches quickly and safely without the hunger pangs. Options include keto (high-protein low-carb), low calorie, VLC (very low calorie), or vegetarian diets. The Medi-Slim Diet is designed with you in mind to fit your dietary preferences and your unique lifestyle. They also offer appetite suppressants (Phentermine, Semaglutide, Tirzepatide) as indicated, natural metabolism boosters, low-carb food products, and various fat burner vitamin injections that will enhance your weight loss, increase energy level and promote your overall health.
How the MediSlim Program Works
The Medi-Weightloss Program is a low carb, high protein diet that’s divided into three phases. It involves undergoing an initial consultation with a medical professional and going to regular check-ins at one of the company’s clinics. For most people, the Medi-Weightloss Program recommends transitioning to a 40/30/30 plan, which is made up of about:
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- 40% of total daily calories from carbohydrates
- 30% from healthy fats
- 30% from protein
Food Guidelines
The Medi-Weightloss Program provides comprehensive guidelines for which foods you should eat and avoid while following the diet.
Foods to Eat
The exact guidelines for which foods you should eat vary depending on which phase of the program 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 of the program is meant to get you to enter ketosis, you may have to reduce your intake of high carb foods.
Here are some foods the diet recommends:
- 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 foods that are higher in carbohydrates are also 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
- Legumes: black beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, lentils
Foods to Avoid
On the Medi-Weightloss Program, you should limit foods that are highly processed or rich in carbohydrates or added sugar.
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Here are some foods you may need to limit on the diet:
- 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
Effectiveness of the MediSlim 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, keep in mind that this study was funded by Medi-Weightloss and the researchers were employed by the company. Thus, these results may be biased.
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 your intake of protein can enhance feelings of fullness, reduce your appetite, and change body composition.
The plan also involves regular check-ins and counseling from a medical professional. Not only can this help keep you accountable by providing extra support and guidance, but some studies also show that this could be beneficial for weight loss.
Benefits of the MediSlim Program
In addition to its potential for helping with weight loss, the Medi-Weightloss Program may offer several other benefits.
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- Personalized Guidance: 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.
- Suitable for Underlying Health Conditions: For people who have underlying health conditions or food allergies or take medications, this may be a better fit than a one-size-fits-all diet plan that doesn’t take your individual needs into account.
- Professional Support: It also enables a healthcare professional to offer support and adjust your plan as needed, which can set you up for long-term success.
- Structured Approach: Additionally, the plan is split into several phases, which may be a good fit for those who prefer a more structured program.
- Long-Term Maintenance: It also eases your transition into the final phase, or 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.
Potential Downsides
There are several downsides to consider when determining whether Medi-Weightloss is right for you.
- Limited Research: For starters, there’s very little research on the program specifically, apart from studies funded directly by the company.
- Supplement Concerns: Second, 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.
- Restrictive Diet: Furthermore, the plan can be very restrictive and difficult to follow, especially during the initial weight loss phase.
- Social Challenges: Because many foods high in carbohydrates 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.
- Cost: 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.
- Accessibility: Finally, keep in mind that 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.
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
Real Patient Reviews
Many patients have shared positive experiences with MediSlim, highlighting the support and effectiveness of the program.
- Michael P.: Started in September 2018 at 265 pounds, with terrible health, sleep apnea, and body aches. Through diet and supplements from Medislim, the weight started to drop. The entire team at Medislim are fantastic, encouraging, and positive. Lost over 60 pounds.
- Bonnie C.: Tried many diets before Medislim, but nothing provided the same success. Reached her goal of 80 lbs lost and has maintained the weight loss for almost a year. Credits the support and guidance from the Medislim office for shaping her eating habits into a maintainable lifestyle.
Additional Services at Medi-Slim Wellness
Beyond weight loss programs, Medi-Slim Wellness offers a range of aesthetic treatments:
- Skin Rejuvenation: Treatments like Potenza RF-Microneedling and TempSure-Firm are available to reduce wrinkles, acne, stretch marks, and sagging skin.
- Laser Treatments: Excel-HR and Lotronic-Ultra laser systems can treat hair, spider veins, pigment removal, sun damage, and dark spots.