The name “Optavia” may sound like a new designer drug or even a brand of glasses, but in reality it is an increasingly popular weight loss diet that has found increasing fame on the Internet . Google named the Optavia diet as one of the biggest trends of 2018, and there are not a few celebrities who attribute their weight loss to this plan. But does it really work or does it not work? In this article we tell you everything you need to know about the Optavia diet so you can see for yourself.
What is the Optavia diet?
Optavia is a weight loss or maintenance plan that alternates the intake of homemade meals high in protein and vegetables with that of processed foods – called “fuelings” – of the brand.
The Optavia diet does not count carbohydrates or calories , instead you should eat a minimum of 6 meals a day alternating those two food groups. In addition, the plan recommends doing about 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise a day .
What do you eat on the Optavia diet?
There is no specific list that excludes certain foods, but it is not an easy diet. The optavian diet severely restricts calories and advises its followers to buy “fuelings” to lose pounds.
These “fuelings” include energy bars, shakes, cookies, cereals, and some tasty options, such as soup and chips , foods that often include soy protein or whey protein as the first ingredient.
The rest of the food in the diet is based on the intake of lean meats and animal protein, along with abundant vegetables that you must prepare on your own following these guidelines:
- 170-230 grams of cooked lean protein such as fish, chicken, egg whites, turkey, or soy
- 3 servings of non-starchy vegetables like lettuce, greens, celery, or cucumbers.
- Up to 2 servings of healthy fats like olive oil, olives, or avocado.
How Often Do You Eat On The Optavia Diet?
In this diet it is advisable to eat six or seven times a day (approximately every two or three hours) depending on the plan. The three available plans are:
- Plan 5 and 1: Eat five times a day with fuelings and a healthy “normal” meal.
- Plan 4 and 2 and 1: Eat four Optavia fuelings, two healthy meals, and one snack a day.
- Plan 3 and 3: Eat three Optavia fuels and three healthy meals a day.
How does weight loss work with this eating plan?
Optavia relies on intensive calorie restriction to promote weight loss. Most fuelings are around 100-110 calories each, which means that about 1,000 calories a day can be consumed on this diet.
In addition, the healthy meals that are proposed are high in protein and vegetables and carbohydrates are eliminated, which also helps to reduce and burn extra calories.
This diet has been ranked in the United States as the second best diet for fast weight loss, but it is number 32 on the list of the best diets for healthy eating. Both classifications have a simple explanation: In the short term, it seems impossible not to lose at least a few kilos, since you are eating half the calories that most adults consume per day , but at the same time it does not favor healthy eating habits because the foods that can be eaten are restricted and natural products are not consumed in a balanced way with all the nutrients.
Is this diet a healthy option?
The Optavia diet can be considered as a hyperprotein diet, since between 10 and 35% of daily calories is made up of this macronutrient. However, the processed part of the diet, that is, fuelings, is an ultra-processed “food” that, although not fattening due to its composition, contains additives that can make you feel bloated and have other unwanted side effects.
In addition, these shakes come from the United States, where the highest food authority ( the FDA) does not regulate dietary supplements such as shakes and powders for safety and efficacy reasons in the same way that it does with food.
For this reason, protein powders and ‘mixes’ may have ingredients with side effects, or they could interact with a medication you are taking , so it is very important to make sure your doctor is aware that you are trying this diet. to give you the right directions.
