Dietitian Reviews Optavia Diet | Is Optavia a Healthy Way to Lose Weight? | Health with Hannah

Optavia has been all the buzz for a few years now and they claim to have changed the lives of 2 million people. But is this diet really healthy? As a registered dietitian, I break down if this diet is worth the hype.
This video is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have questions or concerns about your weight or other areas of your health, please seek advice from a registered dietitian or other medical professional.
Photo sources: optavia.com
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[@chubbyhippy]

I was on it only two weeks and kept telling my "coach" and her coach that I needed more calories due to having a physical job and needing to workout (hiking). They told me 1000 calories a day is enough for all that. Um no, I was getting light headed, dizzy, heart palpations, fatigued, and head aches. I also told them I'm not supposed to be on soy and they forgot so I couldn't eat 3/4 of my "meals". When I told them my doctor wants me to eat more calories (1300-1700) they said she "didn't understand the science". 😐

[@slinkybrown]

You sound like all the other “dietician’s” that didn’t look into this plan thoroughly and posted a critical review anyway. Do your due diligence and spend a little time researching instead of discouraging others from changing their lives.

[@missyvondeire]

I was on this back when it was called Medifast. It really messed me up. I had actually been on it for nearly two years! I lost 90 pounds, which is to be expected when you are literally starving yourself. My metabolism was high enough that I had to be on their 4 and 2. Like the 5 and 1, but two lean and greens. After being on it so long, it really screwed up my metabolism. I also had some issues with my reproductive organs from all the excess soy. I don't recommend this to anyone. It will seriously mess up your health.

[@cherther13]

I had a dream last night that I was losing my hair. Yikes. Maybe a sign to get off program since I am not losing what I should while paying all this $$$ for a diet program But, what I will say is that I am learning how to cook and eat more healthy and Dr A’s Book is Great!!!❤ My experience with the 2 Coaches I have had don’t even show any concern and empathy, just benefit from the MLM aspect. Real turn off

[@cherther13]

Great Video. Very realistic 🌷

[@olive872]

Losing 90 pounds in 2 years is absolutely not starving yourself. That’s considered slow weight loss.

[@Maryrisovato]

people can eat 4000 calories with no nutrition vs 1200 calories of full nutrient dense food. big difference. because of the macro balance of these fueling and the water intake it actually does keep you satisfied! the lean and green is so much food its hard to finish because most people who are unhealthy are not used to eating this amount of fiber! you are learning eat smaller meals,drink water, and learning how to eat veggies and lean proteins. at some point you do get off the program and you keep the habits you have learned...well your supposed to! your not supposed to go back to eating junk at goal! its a way healthier transition then most peoples normal diets and i would recommend as i have been obese most my life and tried EVERY diet! this one actually was easy and has taught me actual Healthy habits for life!

[@kathrynhill1254]

This all seems unnecessary. The truth is that the program really has help many, many people who have lost weight and kept it off for years. The truth is ALSO that the program isn't right for everyone. No program is right for everyone - not even eating less and moving more. So, why vilify programs that do work for some just because they may not work for all? People should talk to their doctors and make an informed choice.

[@clarewhite3004]

She's vilifying it because (a) it's objectively bad for your health and (b) it's a predatory way to make money.

[@mrscoker2006]

My Dr had never heard of it

[@rosieo5481]

My bother is a “health coach” and has ZERO education on real nutrition. I’m a RN and I’m consistently amazed at how he thinks he knows more than I do. This diet turned our father into a literal skeleton. 800-1000 calories for a 6’5” adult male is STARVATION.

[@dietitianhannah]

The fact that Optavia doesn’t change their calorie goal for different ages/sizes/activity levels is a huge red flag! 🚩

[@justdanie7613]

@@dietitianhannah exactly! I'm 5'9, 250lbs. Don't think 800 calories is ideal for me lol

[@jacobwiley411]

In fairness even a lot of doctors know nearly nothing about nutrition because it isn't a point of emphasis in their studies anymore. I have had doctors time and time again ask me how I lost over 70 lbs. because they don't know how to do it themselves. Although I personally find that optavia is completely awful. I have someone who wants me to recommend my personal training clients to them for weight loss and have been researching up on it. Not impressed.

[@fancyx8794]

Thanks for review . I was on optivia for 8 months lost weight finally under 200. So I've been able to maintain that weight BUT after a while on this diet I couldn't do it anymore I felt deprived even sad that I couldn't eat what I wanted. My therapist told me to stop immediately because I was getting unhappy about food ....so I did . Now I'm happy 😊 incorporating foods I enjoy staying healthy and damn it was sooo fricken expensive!!😡...but for the most it got me were I wanted to the lean and green meal you make were filling .and it does come with workbooks witch were good but you have to do the workbook to make it work too

[@lynniepie52]

I lost 65lbs by just cutting out white foods and walking 4-5 miles a day…maintaining 128 lbs at 5’3…

[@kellyyork3898]

I am not on this diet, but I’ve been on weight watchers which helped me choose good foods for my body and I was able to track my points, but I eventually left the program. Now, I just fast on one day and do not eat much except beef or chicken broth, tea, a little canned pineapple or an apple and dry toast….just enough to stop the headaches. Maybe a small box of Raisins too. I drink water on “fast days” and black coffee ( two cups ). Then, the next day, I eat normally ( and sensibly ), lean meat and veggies, a few fruits and one slice of bread or a roll. A bit of cheese sometimes. Salads. Cream in my coffee and a pat or two of butter on my roll. Some eggs and yogurt. Then, the next day, I fast again, eating very little. I lost 10-12 pounds over several months that way. I was 155, but lost down to 143. I’m 5ft 6 inches snd 65 years old. When you get older, your metabolism almost shuts down and it becomes very hard to lose weight. I walk each day, have a gym membership which I go to sometimes to lift free weights, and clean house/work in the yard too which keeps me active. But I don’t want to do a really restrictive program like this unless my health and doctor require it. Most important thing in your life is to stay healthy out there. You are more than just how you look on the outside. Take care.

[@beautybyteriasia9600]

You can’t lose weight and go back to the way that helps you gain weight. That’s common sense, that’s nothing to not do something over out of fear. If you want things to change your life they cannot stay the same.

[@AnneMB955]

Thank goodness you’re a voice of reason out there. To blindly go into weight loss products without research may not be good for us as individuals.

[@gingeryoung1937]

Optavia has absolutely changed my life! I am a food addict and this has give me the structure I so needed. I feel better than I ever have. Eating every 2 1/2 hours is wonderful for a food addict. My sugar never spikes all day and I have lost 37 pounds in 12 weeks. I feel like with the healthy habits this will be a life long sustainable lifestyle. The cost is worth the health! Once you get to goal the cost dramatically decreases. What you have learned during the weight loss phase keeps you able to keep the weight off forever!

[@dietitianhannah]

I am glad to hear that it was a success for you!

[@nikkismyth9306]

Yes I agree

[@darthwalker007]

Thank you so much for this. You helped me with my decision.

[@R3actorization]

Thank you for your review, Hannah. You made some great points. I agree with you, this is not a sustainable diet. After reading the comments, I can see some people may have a different opinion. Still, I don't think that fearmongering certain foods or steering people away from exercise is a good idea, ever. Keep it up!

[@dietitianhannah]

Thank you for the kind words!!

[@CraftyLilBee]

Steering people away from exercise (for a little while) who would otherwise hurt themselves and might be on the brink of a heart attack already? Sounds good to me.

[@stashar.4535]

I was on this when it was called Medifast. I lost weight almost a hundred lbs, my Cycles regulated (I have PCOS), My A1C was at a 5, and my skin had a beautiful glow to it so that was good, it was actually one of the only things I've ever done that made me lose weight consistently.... BUT it has a lot of downsides as well. It was EXTREMELY expensive and unrealistic to maintain long-term. I literally had to work double and triple shifts at my job to afford it so it was no way to do it forever unless you are a rich person or some kinda sugar baby LOL. Also, I have a past history of disordered eating (I was bulimic for YEARS in my youth and I still struggle well into my adulthood with binging) and this is a HORRIBLE diet for someone who had/has an eating disorder because it basically makes you OBSESSIVE about every little thing you eat. I became paranoid and neurotic almost about every little piece of food I placed in my mouth, the times I would eat, the amount I would eat, what I couldn't have...I felt very deprived all the time. Imagine it being your birthday and you cant even have a piece of cake or a cupcake.... you have to have a 100 calorie gross brownie or cookie they give you that you mix with water... and it still tastes like trash/literal dirt... it made me so unhappy. I was weighing everything I ate and when there was no scale I would just under eat to make SURE it was the right amount or less. But the worst thing I experienced was the physical side effects. I was so tired a lot particularly when I was working those doubles and triples at work.. to pay for this crap...smh I had aches and pains in my extremities (Later I learned that was because I was vitamin deficient af and malnourished lol... something I wasn't aware you could be when you were over 200 lbs... BUT fat malnourished people is apparently a possibility because I became one lbvs). And the scariest thing that ever happened to me.... I started losing time... later I realized this was because I was blacking out... it literally made me Black the F out and I wasn't realizing it because usually, it would happen when I was sitting somewhere or in my bed, so I would just think hmm... well maybe that was a nap. How I figured it out was one day I was watching dishes standing at my sink and the entire room started to swirl, my chest hurt, my heart was beating fast because I was panicking thinking to myself if I hit the floor who is gonna get me the hell up! My mother wasn't home and even if she was she is disabled so she would have to call 911. Luckily for me, there was a chair behind me and I managed to topple backwards into it. ...have you ever had sleep paralysis... you are awake mentally.... but you can't move. ...well that's kind of how I was. I was flopped back in the chair arms and head back eyes closed... couldn't pick them up or open my eyes, breathing erratically because I was aware of what was going on...but physically couldn't move, and my brain felt like it was swirling I couldn't even talk or scream if I want to/needed to....I was horrified. I finally must have broken free and managed to move before completely blacking out because I woke up scooted forward with my head on the sink wanting to throw up. Now you would think after that.. I would have been done. NOPE, because everyone was so excited and encouraging to me about my weight loss, I continued for another 3 months or so until the holiday season. The only reason I stopped was because my family sabotaged me with carbs and real sugar for thanksgiving and Christmas. I had bought all the replacement foods because I was in deep by then. I had replacement sugar, replacement butter, replacement noodles for the mac and cheese.... ALL the replacements lol. I left out the kitchen to tend to something else for a bit... came back and tasted the food that I thought my family had used the replacements in... should have known they didn't cause they stared at me while I tasted everything silently. The moment real sugar and butter hit my tongue it was like a bomb exploded in my brain lol, I was like you all didn't use the substitutes!? They shook their heads laughing... and I was royally pissed because I KNEW I wasn't going to NOT eat holiday dinner plus it tasted so good! So I said F it and ate a holiday plate full of all the real stuff and carbs and sugar....when I tell you by the new year .... literally two months... I had gained back almost ALL the weight I worked so hard and paid so much in money and by starving and depriving myself to lose....I had literally spent thousands of dollars for about 7 months to lose roughly 100 lbs.... only to gain it almost all back (and later much more because I had just given up when I saw that number on the scale) in a matter of two months from roughly 4 regular sized meals (1 plate on each holiday and 1 plate of leftovers after each holiday because that's all I allowed myself to have, and that didn't even include desserts because I didn't allow myself to have those) I was freaking DEVASTATED financially, mentally and physically (I went to the doctor later because I went right out of that into vegetarianism to try to lose it again during the new year and it didn't work it made me more malnourished, vitamin deficient and very sickly for a very long time). Overall was everything I went through and the money I wasted worth it... HELL NO... No it was not. because it didn't leave me with anything long-lasting that was good, not even healthy habits. It left me with a broken body, a broken heart (because all my life I felt like being smaller would make everything so much better, and when it didn't work, I felt like my dreams were dashed and still sometimes do) a broken mind (because it sent me right back into my disordered eating and self-hatred and shame for even being fat in the first place even tho my weight has a great deal to do with my hormones and my genetics....but logic doesn't matter when the world tells you you are worthless because you are a larger person.). It made my depression and anxiety disorder as well as my eating disorders so much worse, I ended up gaining it all back plus more weight and more health issues....SO this is a 10 out of 10 would NOT recommend to anyone for me!

[@justdanie7613]

Wow, I'm sorry this happened

[@elmaserisa5845]

Waste of time to read this

[@sparklesplentyful]

thank you for sharing your experience. It is such a struggle. I had/have a similar experience and it’s hard but I just keep trying by choosing the healthiest whole foods available. am currently on the eat like a bear path. sending you good vibes and healing ❤️‍🩹

[@campbell4180]

You are an insensitive human being.

[@TurkeyFarmerGirl]

Wow need boundaries with family

[@user-hy2gb3zj2v]

I agree lots of people lost a lot of weight but it is $400 a month, what you gonna do if you cannot afford to pay anymore? I am not a dietician but not to have carbs or fruits is a red flag, humans should eat balanced diet in my opinion because if it is too restrictive one can suffer from hairloss or boneloss because of not getting right sustinence.

[@ellenwilts9567]

I tried to look things up about this program. There is NOTHING OUT THERE . THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO!

[@jenellehardin2670]

I was on Optavia for over two years, lost over 100 pounds, should have stopped at about 90. I agree I did not learn healthy habits, but partly because I did not do the book reading I should have been doing. I was doing other schooling at the time and this seemed overwhelming. Curious if you've read either The Life Book or the more detailed Habits of Healthy book. They *seem* to describe the nature of low-glycemic foods to keep blood sugar levels from wildly fluctuating. It worked very well for me for a long time, until it didn't. Would love to hear your take on the "low-glycemic science" aspect and if it truly makes sense.

[@elaineburruss7133]

I lost 123lbs and was a former coach it’s an mlm scam I could do diet direct for 1/2 the price and I actually get to eat a piece of fruit. Im still learning how to budget for a healthy meals BECAUSE it teaches you how to use THEIR FOOD as basically a crutch I do know how to do portions part of the plan is weighing your food but the food fear is real i was so Anxiety ridden as a coach as to what I could and couldn’t eat so I stayed “thin” so I could be a product of the product and sell this to other people. I was a broke substitute teacher during COVID and wanted to make money through this system because “it’s my own business” NO I’m an underpaid COMMISSIONS ONLY sales rep. Plus I lost so much muscle mass and am really weak now and the food fear is real. It was created by this guy named Dr. Anderson. He has NO actual credentials in nutrition he’s a critical care specialist he’s the guy who invented it so he’s the one at the top of the this pyramid who basically get treated like Jesus

[@dietitianhannah]

I'm sorry to hear you had such a bad experience!

[@stashar.4535]

I related to this so much. My cousin was a teacher as well and was trying to use this as suplimentary money as well when she brought myself my mother and some of our other cousins into it. It ended up working long term for NONE of us and we all gained it back plus more. It really does create a lot of anxiety about food, and as someone with a history of eating disorders I should have never been on the diet. .... no one should really.

[@beautybyteriasia9600]

So break down the cost per day. For five meals a day. How much do you think it should cost? Just curious

[@MG-wc5oz]

Mire Luke 4 snacs

[@barbaratoney1157]

I’ve been on the 4-2-1 program since November, and have lost 14.4 pounds. I HATED 5-1 for all the reasons you have stated. My weight loss has been very slow (only 3 pounds/month), when I struggled losing weight for years prior. So clearly the weight doesn’t come off too quickly when following 4-2-1, and I’m ok with that. I am now moving to “real food” to replace the fuelings, and feel this is sustainable. And by the way, you can become a coach at any point in your Optavia journey. There are coaches who’ve only been on the program for a month! That’s because the coaches constantly badger you to become a coach. No way!

[@patricktodd7014]

That’s great you most looks so beautiful on your good looks

[@debbiealbertson6289]

Proven program . I have lost 120 lbs . I’m a nurse practitioner . This program is used in over 20,000 physician offices . So much more than a diet . You learn habits of health for life long transformation . Sad that some in fact anyone can make claims on opinion and not evidence based facts . Don’t get caught up in all of this opinion . Best program ever . Kept weight off 5 years .. life changing program .

[@starsearchreject]

Yeah. I'm kinda disappointed. My friend got me signed up. But, it's all little snacks. Worse yet, it's the kind of stuff I don't eat. I'm not into bars or chips. My problem is emotional eating, to be honest, and it's stuff like casseroles, on top of health issues we're still trying to sort out. I didn't get fat eating cookies, chips, and ice cream. Then I asked my coach today if I could have an apple (this is day three and I was offered one), and she said no, it has too many carbs. I can when I transition off the plan though. An apple???

[@erinlayne4511]

I did Ideal Protein a few years ago & it sounds very similar to Optavia. I got extremely sick from it. Felt so restricted & no fruit or working out! I workout everyday so telling me not to was just horrifying to me. I’ve seen so many people lose weight then gain it all back plus some. I work with a personal trainer & have a good meal plan now thank goodness.

[@wandachaneytardy2895]

Hannah could you review Beyond Body for me?

[@stevepumphrey]

OMG! You slayed it! Someone tried to "recruit" me to sell this junk. So many red flags! Thanks for an awesome video!

[@adawong84]

Being in fat burning which is what this plan does should keep you feeling full. It’s also very important to drink water. I think it’s great for people who have more than 50 pounds to lose and Have a more sedentary life style. I lost 200 pounds and have kept not off. To each their own. 😊

[@ashinanailpolish]

Do you think this is worth being on just for 2 or 3 months to start getting some weight off if you are over 130 pounds overweight? Because I feel like it’s almost more dangerous I have obese risk factors. What my i do this just for a month or two then switch

[@ashinanailpolish]

If I do *

[@erilenelamprecht1768]

I justify the 1000 calories this way. In my very busy lifestyle I would eat 1000 calories in high saturated fat, sugar, bleached flour, etc in my coffee every day, and not eat hardly anything else. You need to talk to an Optavia coach who has done the work, and are now maintaining. I’m now at a place where I’m not craving the bad foods anymore, I’m getting my veggies, lots of fish, chicken, beef, and fats. I eat good. I drink 3 cups of coffee a day, drink my water, and have a cup of tea late at night. I’ve seen the 5&1 change lives for the better. It is worth it!

[@dietitianhannah]

Great question! Unfortunately, losing weight too quickly is typically not sustainable and often leads to more weight struggles as well as the risk of muscle loss. Often times when we eat too restrictively (with fat diets, for example) and then switch back to normal eating habits, the likelihood of weight regain increases. I recommend making slow, steady behavior changes that you can stick to for life rather than try any type of quick-fix!

[@lynnohl2526]

I did this, was obese though not severely and reduced to overweight BMI with Optavia several times, guided by a knowledgeable and caring health coach. I lost 20 pounds and I wasn’t following plan consistently but I reduced from 175 or 180 to 155-162 that I sustained. Later, just by removing sweets, carbs and processed foods I got down to 120, am maintaining at around 130 now (because I caved to sugar cravings and need to go back to no-sugar, no refined carbs.) So Optavia was a tool that got me in the right direction and can still help with snacking/meal replacements as needed.) DO IT UNDER MEDICAL SUPERVISION AND WITH A KNOWLEDGEABLE, EXPERIENCED OPTAVIA COACH. Use the client helpline, practice all the healthy habits and use the program as a re-learning tool for lifestyle health habits.

[@jamilemmond3393]

I have been on for about 1&1/2 mo and questioning sustainability. Should have researched more than sugar sources. I think I’m better off to spend my money with dietitian!

[@karanjitkaur8498]

True

[@AmiesNuggets]

Good info! Thanks for the video :)

[@dietitianhannah]

Thanks, Amie!!

[@hanab837]

This a great, really informative review. The Optavia plan is terrifying, and it is just incredible to me how many people are doing it. 😥

[@vidapulgarin708]

I started it on Monday with my mom 😃and as of now I’m literally so hungry and I’m terrified of eating now and it’s so expensive

[@1valerie_oakley]

I am an optavia coach for 5 years and client almost 9 years. I understand that you are advocating to work with a dietician and that is absolutely ok- yes we do have RDs on staff and as coaches. I recommend in your “research” to dig a little deeper into the multi-disciplinary science behind the various plans available under Optavia, which is a physician led and coach guided program. A great resource is the Habits of Health book bundle, which goes along with the program. I will send to you at no charge if you’d like. I would guess that after your research on the program( which the 5&1 is only a jump start part of, and not recommended for all clients), our coach certification through the Villanova school of nursing Center for Obesity and Preventive Education, our habit installation and mindset coaching methods, the community of support and the (temporary) nutrient fortified fuelings, that you would be inspired to do an update review on the system. Again, I understand that you are recommending to your audience to work with a dietician instead of any of the programs and diets, but one can do both-and, and also succeed long term. Just like an athlete works with a coach and may be under the care of a physician for other in depth issues, coaches who aren’t physicians don’t position themselves as the be all end all. P.S.- we are from various backgrounds- I am also a respiratory therapist. Also the program is not $400/month, it varies. There is an initial investment in the books and materials plus however many fuelings the client requires, then after that, they shop just as if they were going to the grocery store. There is a weaning process that does make the program sustainable. Again, I lost my weight in 2015, but have experienced success by sustaining the HABITS that we coach. Much success to us both and all who sincerely want to help people create sustainable health and wholeness in their lives. Let me know if you’d like a book bundle- on me- for your objective research. Thank you for reading and for your platform. I commend you for at least giving people a heads up to do what they feel works for them. Biased but sustaining, Coach Valerie💕🙏🏾💕

[@damarissanabriamarroquin9512]

Could you do a review on the Keto Diet.

[@dietitianhannah]

Yes absolutely!

[@Kathysvlogchannel]

I started this plan yesterday and I think it is going to be a great way for me to get in the habit of eating the proper macronutrients and eating more often in a day.

[@melsgil484]

I have been doing for 6 weeks and I have never felt better. Dealing with hypothyroid and Hashimoto's, fibromyalgia, terrible constipation, acid reflux. No cravings for junk or sugar. There is no deprivation. I have lost 12lbs and have great energy. This I needed to get my metabolism going. I had no hunger before, so hours would go by and bring about all kinds of problems. The exercise is not restricted - intense exercise is not for everyone. I have done it all, this has worked.

[@carolann5048]

@@melsgil484 How long have you maintained your weight loss without fuelings?

[@melsgil484]

@@carolann5048 I am still on my journey, but this is a way of eating. This is retraining your body to metabolize. My metabolism was on a halt. I am 50 years old and I have a thyroid condition. The fuelings are there to fire 🔥 your metabolism and at the same time you get yo learn to eat with intention. Once you get to the place where you feel comfortable you go into a transition period where you begin to add on to your diet while you decrease the fuelings until you don't need them anymore. There are plenty of success stories out there! The ppl that aren't successful is because they had other excuses not to do it. There's something for everyone, and this was perfect for me. I am already 20 lbs lighter and I feel great!

[@carolann5048]

@@melsgil484 i want to see the long term success stories. Even the ppl I. Follow on you tube are still on fuelings whenever I request info. On success stories. I am told Trust the process .

[@melsgil484]

@@carolann5048 that's like asking for proof of Gods existence- it's different for everyone. Yes, some ppl continue to buy some fuelings because it's convenient and they are actually good. It's easy to throw a few in your purse to have available when needed. The program teaches you to eat in a certain manner that will keep cravings at bay. If you go off to your old habits, you will gain weight. A big part if it is accountability. So you can have the same argument for those that do Keto and then forget about it- they gain weight. If you stop counting points on WW, you gain. It's about learning the healthy habits and continue to practice them. For me it's structure and convenience and I have no complaints whatsoever. When I go into transition, I will let you know how that goes. Take care and good luck

[@waleskaalvarez8520]

Thank you for this video, i was almost sucked in!

[@carolann5048]

I was sucked in , wasted so much Monet and yes I lost but once I went back to regular food but correct portions. I gained it back.

[@kathryneast6919]

The resricted part is only while you lose the weight.When you get to goal you go on a different program and add food back.it is not forever

[@BeaVizcarra]

I use to think I knew it all. I am vegan and studied nutrition. I tried several things several times, including carnivore 😂 (Yes I was desperate) and fasting. At the end of the day and at the end of every diet I was always carrying 10+ lbs even after exercising 2 hrs daily. Then this woman who is in her mid 50’s comes into my life and it’s thin as an actress or bailarina. She is an Optavia coach and doesn’t go around pushing her diet. You just have to look at her and see she is happy and looks how I wish I looked even me being 20 years younger than her. So do I let my preconceived ideas keep me from the results I want? or do I allow myself to put all the knowledge I have aside and give myself the chance to live the dream and loose those extra 10 pounds and feel amazing? For me is a no brainer, I chose my dream and gave Optavia a chance…happy I did. Many of you will hold on to your beliefs and a year later will still be looking at the number on the scale but I guess that’s ok too. Do whatever makes you happy 😃

[@davidm4160]

My problem is over eating (portion control), so if I ate less I would loose weight and it will cost less, not more.

[@dianevickers6357]

do what is best for you and if you are concerned about the program, talk with your PCP. If you are getting your advice from Tik Tok therein is a problem!

[@Robynmck62]

I lost 40 lbs. actually got to my goal weight February 2021, but have been spiraling out of control since. Gained about 15 pounds and now am a yo-yo Optavia dieter. Desperately want to get off and get back to a healthy weight with healthy food. But how?

[@dietitianhannah]

It takes time and practice, but it is essential to heal your relationship with food and stop dieting.

[@greatheights7774]

She’s never even tried it. What a joke review. It’s worked for me since 2017 going from the 5&1 to the 3&3. And it been the best lifestyle change of my life.

[@brooketucker3369]

Optavia is definitely a "cult" structured diet and doesn't give you enough calories a day. Also we all have different types of bodies and calorie needs. I was on it for two weeks snd experienced many dife effects that i told my groups and vosch about and i got cheered on yo just hang in there because eeight loss was more important than actual life and health. I literally fekt like i was going to die. My face went numb snd my body was very shakey and chills and fever. Basically eas gold yo just drink powerade and eat pickles. Sfter taking to my doctor again this plan wasn't fir me because of my allergic reaction to the packaged "meals". Thank you for this. I wish i would have researched it more before i put my body through that. Im still experiencing side effects yesrs after when i eat certain foods and it really sucks.

[@user-cs1lk7uj8r]

They say that it works you feeling that way is your body adjusting to the change

[@conniecamp7939]

I tried every diet you could think of. Im an addict to food. Ive done very well on this plan.

[@dietitianhannah]

Glad it has worked for you!

[@lilywallahs-madeira6115]

Not so well, you are not eating real food due to a highly processed ingredients. You are not addicted to food, you have a food disorder! 😐👽

[@conniecamp7939]

@@lilywallahs-madeira6115 Since this message I switched to ww. Im not able to lose yet but I’m maintaining. I just had back surgery and soon I can incorporate exercise soon. Any suggestions?

[@jujugoketo3711]

Thank you for this. Glad it works for some, even did for a friend that refuses to think low carb is good and a lifelong safe way of life. This Optavia is a diet, and doesn’t teach you good nutrition management. I am sticking to low carb for life. At least these Optavia people can revisit this plan every few months or years to lose the weight they gain back.

[@victoriamckenzie6352]

They actually have materials on how to transition to a more normal diet when you're at a maintenance weight. The goal is to give you healthy habits you can use for life.

[@Ecuador86]

Have you ever reviews Beachbody? Curious on your thoughts.

[@dietitianhannah]

I haven’t yet but I will add it to the list!

[@reneeharkness1337]

The carb amount in the fuelings is insane! 5 fuelings=about 75 grams of carbohydrates/day!

[@sv0726]

Thank you for this I was about to spend lots of money on this because a friend is losing tons and I need to drop 30/35 lbs. I might go back on Keto

[@waleskaalvarez8520]

Yea seems like this is very similar to Keto. If you did Keto you have lots of discipline.

[@mariamcclish4197]

I know the feeling and was debating if I should join a friend. I just have 10-15 lbs left to reach my goal weight. I have lost 50 plus lbs since 2018. I can see how unhealthy this diet can be

[@dietitianhannah]

Guys keto is also a fad diet 😂

[@lilywallahs-madeira6115]

@@dietitianhannah keto diet is prescribed to a kids with seizures. Last studies revealed it reverse Diabetes and heal your metabolism. (Insulin resistance). I know Optavia is fake food but Keto and Paleo are real food, you ingest healthy fat. (I'm specialist for kids with seizures!).

[@chelseanichole5197]

Can you do your review on Herbalife?

[@dietitianhannah]

Yes that one is definitely on the list!!

[@waleskaalvarez8520]

I did Herbalife and i can say that this isn’t a restrictive diet. The coaches want you to eat, but replacing two meals which is usually breakfast and dinner with a shake throughout the day you eat healthy you snack. Herbal life is a protein shake it has different flavors it introduces you to a really awesome community of people that are on the same journey you are your coaches are usually pretty awesome and they become your accountability partners it becomes really fun.

[@waleskaalvarez8520]

I personally lost 45 pounds doing Herbalife in about three months but I did a lot of hard work I was at the gym sometimes two times a day five days a week. The team of people that I was with really served as my community my motivation and it really helped me because it’s difficult to go to the gym by yourself. A lot of the herbal life coaches host fit camp during the summer or if you live somewhere warm they might do it all year long where a lot of your team members get together you see each other you work out together for an hour hour and a half some people bring their kids it is really a community and that’s what essentially helps people lose weight is the community support.

[@mariafavia-eo7cu]

I know someone on this diet. She weighs all her food and was making a bowl of spinach. She literally took 3 leaves of spinach out because it was over the allowed weight. The whole container is only 35 calories! But 3 leaves were too much

[@stacygittleman4804]

Thank you. You have validated my feelings and made me feel like I did the right choice to quit after one week. I did it because I have a friend who is a coach and she lost a lot of weight. I did it because, in my mid 50's, I see the scale creeping up. I just wanted to lose 10-15 pounds. But not this way. I like the idea of eating small meals frequently during the day but this was too severe and an unsustainable way to look at food. Thank you.

[@LetsTakeaLook-ch3rg]

Wow

[@lilywallahs-madeira6115]

I love your opinion. Hope more Drs could make videos about it. I hate consumers are coaches!! 😭😂😂😂😂

[@tmr7171]

Really wish people who take the time to review Optavia would consider talking to people who have changed their life before publishing content like this!

[@dietitianhannah]

I have worked with many many people that have done Optavia and it has not worked for them for the reasons that I discuss in the video. But if it works for you, that really is great!

[@larissaalcorn3406]

Unfortunately, so many MLMs have a cultlike following. Even in these comments, I see sooooooo many "hunbot" canned responses in defense of this program. The bottom line is, the mlm structure creates an EXTREMELY costly program that only works because you are literally putting yourself into starvation. They openly admit this when they admit it's literally NOT SAFE to participate in exercise while on the plan. Of course people lose weight when they starve themselves.

[@celialewis7447]

They are making billionaire a greedy doctor. 450$ for five little snacks?? It's sooo crazy! The shakes are more than 3$ each..... I feel sorry, really, for people who are doing this, besides is too many chemicals, no natural foods. I totally agree with you!

[@vanessapotter73]

Get the books, read them. This does Teach about the basic issue that drives overeating and lifestyle habits for longevity and getting a handle on health co-morbidities. There Is a plan for active people who exercise. You are coming across in a negative manner which I feel you might want to keep in consideration. Your masters degree and professionalism should warrant caution in what you put out on a public forum, please. This may not be for all but for some it is a sustainable way of life. I am not a coach. I am a nurse however, and have weighed the pros and cons conservatively with my MD based on my health needs. I work 70 hours per week and this is an easy and affordable option for getting more calories and nutrients due to my history of skipping meals and my busy lifestyle. It is merely a choice for Healthier options. I do workout with weights and cardio and assure that my protein and macros are sufficient for My lifestyle. I also work with a real time RD with her masters degree who is moderate and accommodating. Be a positive influence in this world!❤ Respectfully just trying to add a different way to look at this for those who may not know how to critically review research and data.

[@sesimani_]

I bought optivia and I won’t buy it again. Yes you need to take it slow with weight loss thanks for this review

[@raisingsixarrows6140]

I love to workout and I was told after three weeks I could and I’m on week three they told me I can’t do much a light walk but not more than 2000 steps. It’s hard I enjoy working out and I want to tone while losing. I was told I can but I can’t. All the things you are saying is true

[@kdrury93]

Not every program will work for every person and especially not the same way. My mom is finally losing weight that she absolutely NEEDED to lose, but I was definitely worried at first. I talked to her and asked her the really hard questions and told her the facts I was worried about. When I began to hear her explain the what and whys and the fact that you don't just hop on, hop off this program I got to understand a little more why there are restrictions in place. It is not about making people "fear food," it is to adjust intake so they can more easily reach a goal. From there, you don't just hop off plan and eat whatever you want, you work with your coach so they can help you integrate foods back in, offer guidance in what foods will help you maintain what you have acheived. I don't necessarily agree with the low caloric intake or offering it to teenagers, but I don't think it's the same as other diet programs. It depends on the person and their choices and the coaches are there to support healthy choices.

[@dietitianhannah]

It definitely does depend on the person

[@KimWH.2]

My friend has lost 50 pounds in 9 months and she loves it!

[@dietitianhannah]

That’s great for her!

[@larissaalcorn3406]

I can starve myself for free..... they want more than my grocery budget for 4 people to do it.......

[@jkfiore2144]

I would love to hear your thoughts about the Bright Line Eating plan.

[@ramatuwanda7911]

Optavia really works it’s teaches you how to eat you still have to make one healthy meal a day. It’s a proven system and has helped so many people get to their optimal weight. Sorry this review is not great sorry

[@dietitianhannah]

I do agree that it helps people get to their weight goal. However, the concern is what happens after they stop following the Optavia plan. That is typically when issues arise.

[@amydovidio7399]

There is an optimal health plan that you follow to maintain and it is very much something anyone could follow!

[@jonwick5824]

Correction, it doesn't teach you how to eat it teaches you the worst eating habits that lead to anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and every other eating disorder.

[@kimhannan4892]

Also, where are all the physicians? Why aren't they weighing in on this? It keep searching the internet and it's...crickets from medical doctors.

[@yieselperez6444]

i hate people are bias you cannot judge a book by its cover how bout try the program and then make your opinion because thats what it is your opinion your are not dictating a fact .

[@dietitianhannah]

I would never try the program because of all of the reasons stated in the video. However, I have worked with countless people that have done this diet (it is, in fact, a diet) to lose weight and they end up gaining it back and ruining their relationship with food.

[@allochoc]

@@dietitianhannah Maybe its because you only talk to the people who have regained the weight. There are a lot of people who have lost the weight and kept the weight off because they have learned and practice the healthy habits. I see you are a Registered Dietitian at Parkview Weight Management and Bariatric Surgery. Owner of Health with Hannah, a virtual nutrition and fitness coaching practice. There are several people I know who had bariatric surgery and regained the weight or had numerous complications from the surgery. You also mention the program is expensive, what do you charge at your virtual nutrition and fitness coaching practice per session?

[@vidapulgarin708]

So I’m almost at a week with this program and I watched my mom go through this for months: For my mom it works great! She has lost weight and is learning healthy habits. For her it’s working great. For me as of now: I’m terrified of eating certain things. I was seeing red flags when my mom started but ya know it was working? So now I’m hungry and honestly sluggish but I’m holding on because I want to lose weight

[@curtisbolton5206]

Did you continue the diet? I just started a week ago and it’s really hard to do this.

[@jonwick5824]

All you need these days is some sort of extreme to implement. Something to make people say, "Oh! So that's why I can't lose weight, I eat bananas!". Yea, you can't lose weight because you eat carrots and bananas.

[@jeniferwendt15]

I was on optavia for two months it taught me how to eat mindfully. It was easy and a no brainer. I didn’t do it 100% on plan. I was so big that I knew that even if I ate Brussels sprouts and had more fats with my lean I was still going to drop hella weight

[@jeniferwendt15]

I am still eating healthy after

[@justdanie7613]

@@jeniferwendt15 that's great! I'm trying something similar called Wonderslim, because it's quick packaged foods. Only trying a 2 week box tho, because idk if I'll like it. I work in a hospital and it just sounds so much easier, and help lose weight

[@terasmith767]

Thanks for speaking out the truth about this!

[@karanjitkaur8498]

They make you stop eating everything

[@barbaramartin6716]

Thank you

[@adrianamazariegos1372]

Thank you this information it is very useful. My cousins is on this diet and has been pushing me to it but thanks to this useful information I will not be trying it. I have done the 3 hour eating before like you say balancing meals and exercise and it has worked for me in the past I will that a try instead

[@cojoalro3943]

You claim to be a dietician. You should do better research. Optavia and it parent company Medifast have been around for nearly 40 years. It was designed by a physician. The coaches are certified and any nutritional questions are directed to nutritional support where a dietician is available. Medical questions are always directed to your health care provider. It is portion controlled and the fuelings are not gross. You have no clue. Go eat Your carrots and onions and learn about mild kerosine. I mean your a dietician you should know this information

[@travishill75]

I think you're missing the point of the video.

[@stepheatsmeat]

Physicians don't know anything about nutrition. They might take one basic nutrition class in med school, but they don't really know anything. I have taken many nutrition classes taught by RDs and they all say that same thing. That's why RDs exist.

[@dietitianhannah]

Yes, I am a dietitian. That’s how I know that the things you stated to defend Optavia are what makes the program sub-par. I will go enjoy some carrots and onions 😂

[@cathyosborn9905]

The founding Dr. of Medifast was a dermatologist.

[@jonwick5824]

these multi million dollar corporate godzilla's are selling you a dream with restrictive rules and scarce intake. Your "coaches" took a 2 day course to get certified in talking you into eating a bit more than people in 3rd world countries. You've never met an obese person that got that way because they ate too many carrots.

[@kateshaffer3301]

Thank you!

[@heynan2]

Did you even try any of the fuelings? You need to try things before you give a false opinion.

[@kimkrentcil4581]

Who is your certification from or degree in??

[@henrymartyn]

I always find it interesting how people who, genetically, can eat whatever they want with minimal weight gain , give opinions on dieting . Some people need a drastic change in their diet. Optavia worked for me to reboot my lifestyle. While you can’t maintain it long term, I think it helped me reach a baseline to restart healthy living

[@dietitianhannah]

You probably shouldn’t assume anything about someone’s weight and dieting history 👍🏻

[@henrymartyn]

@@dietitianhannah For someone who made a video about this program, and expressing a lot of assertions and opinions about it, is kind of ironic. Optavia is a plan to follow. Period. Once you learn the plan and customize it to your lifestyle, then it can be long term. For most people who struggle with being overweight, also struggle from emotional eating, poor discipline and a lack of impulse control. It’s a good structure for those candidates.

[@kimhannan4892]

I am considering Optavia for initial good weight loss, then I want to transition off as quickly as possible. I'm sorry, but it clearly IS a very unhealthy diet; that's part of the reason it works. It starves an adult body with the caloric intake of a young child. However, it may be something useful as a starter; the structure to adjust to eating less, eating more frequently and the lean green. The "fuelings" are basically highly processed foods that do have nutritional additives; again, pretty unhealthy BUT they will help get the weight off.

[@henrymartyn]

@@kimhannan4892 i actually have been off Optavia for a year now and have managed to keep the weight off because of the managed and healthy diet Optavia taught me.

[@jonwick5824]

@@henrymartyn Super low calorie, super restrictive dieting are the last dieting variables people need for all the examples you listed.

[@worlock27]

Optavia is great. The 5+1 is the plan to lose weight and then you move to the maintenance plan. It's a tool. I lost 55 pounds with Optavia and eventually switched to preparing all my own nutritious/healthy meals to maintain it - got back in the gym, etc.. I've not gained ithe weight back. Use it as a tool - not long term, to help/motivate you while you change your eating (lifestyle) habits.

[@bettyplourde2786]

No need to cover any other food programs..... you clearly don't have your facts straight about Optavia. Why would we trust an accurate review on any other food program?????

[@beautybyteriasia9600]

Five and one is just one of their programs. It is the most intense of weight loss program. It is not intended for long-term use, or for you to sustain your weight loss. If you just focus on this part of the program, you missed the whole point. This is such an ignorant review

[@agent_ninety9]

My husband's on this diet and I'm pissed off about it I can't believe how horrific it is how they're scaring people about not being able to eat an unlimited amount of greens which is healthy for you so basically you're starving yourself number one and second of all the reason they don't want you to do exercise because that requires carbohydrates and there are no carbohydrates

[@kathryneast6919]

You do not get unlimited greens.Protein 6 ounces ,and 1 to 2 cups is it.

[@agent_ninety9]

@@kathryneast6919 1 cup at first than gradually increase. That's unnecessary is what's shes saying. Vegetables & fresh fruit should be as much as you want. ( especially greens) With all the diets out there, a 1,000 calories of food per day ( an amount for a toddler) not a physically working man working is insane. It's a quick way to lose, ( imo to show proof of weight loss cause its a mlm) I disagree with it when there's so many healthy diets out there but to each their own!

[@conniecamp7939]

That’s not true we have around 80 grams of carbs a day.

[@kimhannan4892]

I may use Optavia as a "jumping off" point but certainly not for life. 1000 calories a day for life? As Hannah said, the caloric requirements of a toddler? This is NOT healthy. Just because you do lose weight with a type of diet, it doesn't mean that diet is healthy for your body! If I use Optavia as a starter, I am certainly going in realizing that I don't want to live on a 1000 calorie a day diet for the rest of my life. I just want to get a grip on my poor eating habits: foods, amounts, etc. I think this plan can be actually useful in doing that. It's just not ok for long term or life time eating.

[@dixiech1ck]

This program caused me to have an eating disorder and food dismorphia. It took me YEARS working with a nutritionist and psychotherapist to understand food is a GOOD thing. A friend told me today she started this and i started to sob at my desk. I pleaded with her to reconsider her choice.

[@CraftyLilBee]

Honestly, it makes me laugh when you say "we" - who is we? You're not Class III Obese. You review this program as if you don't understand Ketosis. You didn't even mention probiotics and vitamins and how much those cost in your daily life. Please don't talk to us like we are stupid, or aren't already in deep health sh*t. This is a save-your-life program. "Little guide books?" Girl. 2 huge books. This program teaches you so much about the mental aspect of food, the decision making process, emotional eating, having a plan, having a replacement for the foods and tastes and textures that made us Obese in the first place... which is the road OUT of eating disorders. "Your body needs more than 1000 calories in a day." Unless you are attempting a daily defecit - which is how.. you... lose... weight. This review is so narrowsighted. What a shame.

[@jonwick5824]

You aren't stupid per se, just misinformed. You're obese because you eat too much food not because of tastes and textures. The road out of eating disorders isn't restriction and caloric intakes that can't feed a parakeet. You've been duped by the corporate dieting machine as have millions and millions of people world wide.

[@kylelundgren5133]

At what point do you lower your deficit to 0 and become a breathairan?

[@hadassahjones7162]

Optivia is the opposite of most of what your saying in this video. The program consist of so much more than the fuelings. I don't feel you did enough research to give a fair review. Optivia does teach you healthy habits for life!

[@dietitianhannah]

Glad you’ve enjoyed it!

[@jaedo71]

I just quit Optavia….too expensive and sick of the food! I re-downloaded the healthi app. Now I’m on sugar smart plan! What do you think?! My coach and her coach are el toro pissed that I quit lol

[@beautybyteriasia9600]

It doesn’t say not to exercise, once again There are multiple friends. If you’re going to be a dietitian at least be an educated one. I would never use your services. That’s like telling a diabetic that they should eat whatever they want because they’re going to get hungry.

[@dietitianhannah]

Anti-diet is not synonymous with nutrition ignorance.

[@allochoc]

Yes, my Dad is a type 2 diabetic and when he goes into the hospital they just control it with insulin and pretty much let him eat what he wants. We control his sugars at home with food and they blow us out of the water allowing some of the things they allow him to eat. SMH

[@jonwick5824]

Only she didn't tell a diabetic to go eat whatever they want because they're going to get hungry. She said super low calorie and restrictive diets probably aren't a good idea. I'm not a RD but those variables wouldn't be good for a diabetic either. You've been misled by social media and people who really want your hard earned money.

[@beautybyteriasia9600]

This is not an accurate reveal at all. There is an extensive list of vegetables that you can have. Five and one is just one of the Optavia planned. You have to do a health assessment before you can even get on any of the plans. It teaches you healthy habits, and when you are in a weight loss phase, naturally you’ll have to scale back on some things. And figure out what your body likes him with your body doesn’t like. Things like onions, When consumed out of moderation turns to sugar. Optavia doesn’t say that you can’t have onions, because on the condiment list you can have onions. But there’s a serving size for that. There’s nothing wrong with learning how much your body should have. And who made up this rule that you have to live up all these calories and carbs!

[@dietitianhannah]

So onions only turn to sugar when eaten out of moderation??? Lol.

[@EPBF1]

Dietian have failed the weight loss community so frustration overall

[@heatherframpton9693]

Oh, hell no...what kind of nonsense is this?!?😳🤔🙄 I'd be screwed out of the gate because... CARROTS! 😁❤️🥕 I'd rather spend that expensive amount on several pairs of athletic shoes/sets of wear, and exercise gear. 😁💪 I lost track of how many times I rolled my eyes. This is horrible! 🙄😳