There are many weight loss methods out there that do not provide the healthiest way to slim down. I will provide a brief overview of three methods and list pros and cons of each.
One popular weight loss method is a program called Medifast. This program incorporates meal replacements and real food into the diet. Someone on this plan would eat seven times a day: 4 Medifast meals (meal replacements) , 2 lean and green meals (cooked themselves by following guidelines), and one healthy snack. This diet emphasizes meals that are rich in protein, and low in fat and calories. This process is supposed to be “fast and safe” for users. I don’t like that they advertise this plan to be “fast and safe”. Weight loss should not be fast, and if it is fast it is not necessarily safe. I do think it is good that they require users to cook a certain number of their meals everyday. I think that is a good step in creating a healthy habit. I didn’t find any information about supplementing the diet with exercise. Depending on how many calories a certain user is consuming, vigorous exercise may or may not be supported by this meal plan.
Nutrisystem is another route that people like to use to lose weight. They really focus on portion control and eating 6 times a day. They talk about the importance of consuming the right ratios of nutrients. With this system, users are supplied with pre made meals that are shipped to them. All of their food contains protein, fat, and carbs in a 25/25/50 ratio. They include low glycemic carbs in their low sodium meals. This system does encourage exercise and even provides exercise plans on their website. The problem with this way of eating is that the user is not eating real, fresh food. It works because it forces people to eat smaller portions. It is good that they focus on the ratios of macros in their meals, but if exercise is added into the mix then the amount/type of food that an individual needs might vary from what is provided.
Many people also turn to Weight Watchers to help them control their weight. The way Weight Watchers works is by giving all kinds of food “smart points”. There is no food required or off limits. But when you eat a food, you log it and you get so many points for it. The good thing about this plan is that you get to eat real food. The bad thing is that people think they can eat whatever they want. If they hit their total points for the day at 4:00 then they are likely to not eat the rest of the day, which is unhealthy. I think this tool can be helpful as long as the user is still being conscious of their health and not just conscious about their points. This plan also promotes exercise and activity. They will even help you set an activity goal, just like a points goal, that will help keep you accountable every day.
Out of these three weight loss plans, I appreciate that Medifast and Nutrisystem encourage 6-7 meals a day, but I do not think that they provide the best food available for optimal health, which is just as important as the weight loss. I like that Weight Watchers encourages eating real food and keeping track of it, but that has negative and positive qualities. I think that there are good and bad qualities in all of these systems, but I still would not recommend them to anybody. The principles behind the programs are not bad, but there are better options.
References
1 Why Choose The Medifast Weight Loss Diet? (n.d.). Retrieved June 06, 2016, from http://www.medifast1.com/weight-loss-plans/why-medifast.jsp
2Why Nutrisystem Works. (n.d.). Retrieved June 06, 2016, from http://www.nutrisystem.com/jsps_hmr/how_it_works/index.jsp
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