I tried 38 products similar to Optavia from 25 different competitors, and let me tell you, it was quite a journey. Some were worth it, while others were pricey with questionable results and a bad online reputation. After thorough research, tasting, and trying various weight loss programs, I’ve narrowed it down to my top 10 Optavia alternatives.
From my experience, The Mayo Clinic Diet is the top alternative if you want a diet like Optavia that focuses on real food and doesn’t involve calorie counting. For a 30-day program similar to Optavia without coaching, go for Isagenix 30-Day Reset. And if you’re looking for affordable alternatives for Optavia lean and green meals, Clean Eatz Kitchen comes in at just $7.66 per meal.
If a friend asked me what diet is similar to Optavia, here’s my quick list of the top 10 alternatives. Plus, I’ll share tips for finding substitutes for Optavia Fuelings while following the diet solo.
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1. The New Mayo Clinic Diet
The Mayo Clinic Diet is a top choice similar to Optavia. It focuses on real grocery store foods and homemade snacks, without calculating calories. Unlike Optavia, it doesn’t use meal replacements but offers an app with expert dietitian coaching and easy meal plans. I’ve tried the Mayo Clinic diet, and what I liked is that it gives you meal plans tailored to your age, gender, and weight. The best part? No food restrictions, so you have some flexibility. But the downside is that it doesn’t have those ready-made meals like Optavia. You gotta roll up your sleeves and cook everything from scratch.
Unlike other strict diets that I’ve tried, the Mayo Clinic Diet it’s all about forming healthier eating habits by enjoying real foods and being mindful while you eat. It may not promise quick weight loss, but it’s a balanced approach for long-term health. This diet is split into two phases: Lose It! for dropping weight by watching portions and Live It! for maintaining a healthier lifestyle through exercise, sleep, and daily activity.
Unlike Optavia, I’ve found that the Mayo Clinic Diet is all about staying active every day, and trust me, it doesn’t mean you have to do crazy HIIT or CrossFit. I’ve personally tried it, and it offers simple at-home workouts that don’t need any fancy equipment. Plus, the cost of joining the Mayo Clinic Diet can be as low as $4 a week, making it budget-friendly too.
2. Isagenix 30-Day Reset
Isagenix 30-Day Reset is a diet plan similar to Optavia but without monthly fees or coaching commitments. I’ve personally tried it, and it’s a 30-day plan with meal replacement shakes, snacks, and vitamins. It’s not a long-term lifestyle program, more like a quick weight loss jumpstart, followed by transitioning to regular food. The 30-day Reset includes Shake Days and Cleanse Days, providing balanced nutrition and intermittent fasting benefits.
In 2022, a study by Paul J. Arciero at Skidmore College revealed that the Isagenix 30-Day Reset group experienced a substantial 29% weight loss and a remarkable 38% reduction in waist circumference. While other groups also showed improvements, they were not as pronounced. Additional clinical research supports Isagenix 30-Day Reset’s effectiveness for weight loss, muscle sculpting, and developing healthy habits, although it may be somewhat costly, it remains more affordable than Optavia with a Premier membership.
3. Doctors Weight Loss
Doctors Weight Loss, the company behind NutriWise, offers a range of meal plans that cater to various needs, making it similar to Optavia but cheaper with some unique features. Their Intro Plan, which starts at $1.25 per meal, is perfect for beginners as it replaces 25% of your daily diet. It’s budget-friendly and a great way to dip your toes into the program.
The Core Plan, starting at $1.58 per meal, is the most popular choice, replacing 50% of your daily meals. It’s similar to the Optavia Fuelings plan but offers more calories and a more balanced approach to weight loss. What I like about Doctors Weight Loss is that all these plans are fully customizable, available in 2- and 4-week options, and come with free shipping, without requiring a monthly subscription. However, what I dislike is that their products, like Optavia products, contain a significant amount of Soy Protein Isolate.
4. WW (Formerly Weight Watchers)
If you’re after a weight loss plan like Optavia but want something that doesn’t require counting calories, I’d personally suggest trying out Weight Watchers. I’ve had a good experience with it. They use a system called “SmartPoints,” where each food gets assigned a point value based on nutrients and calories, with 1 point roughly equaling 50 calories. The aim is a safe and steady weight loss of around 0.5 to 1.0 kg per week. Here’s the photo of the typical WW snacks – Giant Chocolate Fudge ice cream.
A 2013 study by Nia S Mitchell from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that individuals lost an average of 2 kilograms, with 20% of participants losing more than 5% of their body weight. The study suggests that attending more meetings in weight loss programs, such as Weight Watchers, may lead to greater weight loss success.
When deciding which is better, Optavia or Weight Watchers, I found that Weight Watchers is more flexible, letting you eat all food types but using a points system to keep track. You’re free to enjoy more ‘low point’ foods like fiber-rich carbs and lean proteins. What’s great is Weight Watchers now includes delicious recipes and even meal delivery, making it a versatile choice.
5. NOOM
The NOOM is another alternative to the Optavia diet that’s much cheaper but doesn’t provide meals. The NOOM app positions itself as a diet tool. It offers personalized meal plans with a focus on real, unprocessed foods and a variety of recipes. NOOM encompasses a holistic approach to weight loss, emphasizing not just nutrition but also exercise and mental health.
From my experience, NOOM aims to challenge and change dietary habits. All I had to do was read their daily habits and I made sure to track my progress every day to stay accountable. It encourages daily habit tracking and progress monitoring, which can be key for accountability. The app’s slogan, “Stop Dieting. Get lifelong results,” reflects its focus on long-term lifestyle changes over short-term diets. NOOM also includes interactive coaching sessions, daily activities, and expert advice, all designed to support users in achieving their health goals. One notable feature is its user-friendly interface, making it accessible to a broad range of users.
6. Nutrisystem
Nutrisystem is a leading weight loss program that has been helping millions of people around the world lose weight for over 40 years. With their simple, straightforward approach to healthy eating and lifestyle, Nutrisystem makes it easier than ever to reach your goals.
The difference between Optavia and Nutrisystem is that Optavia gives you chocolate bars and desserts, and Nutrisystem gives you burgers and creamy pasta. Let me be clear – this program is NOT easy. Although you get your meals delivered to your home, the portion sizes are small. Here’s the photo of one of my favorite frozen Nutrisystem pizzas – Margherita.
Although this one has 22 grams of protein (and only 230 calories), the serving size doesn’t make me full. When it comes to taste, they offer delicious meal plans designed by certified nutritionists and dietitians. All of their meals come pre-prepared and ready to eat, so there’s no need for you to shop or cook. They even offer convenient snacks and shakes on the go.
7. Jenny Craig
Having tried Jenny Craig, I can see why it’s stood the test of time for over three decades. Just like Optavia’s 5 and 1 plan, Jenny Craig offers the convenience of pre-prepared meals, taking the hassle out of shopping and cooking. It’s a real time-saver for anyone with a busy schedule. And while Optavia and Jenny Craig are similar, what really sets Jenny Craig apart, in my experience, is their personalized approach.
They offer one-on-one coaching with certified nutritionists and dietitians. These experts tailor a plan to fit your unique needs, which I found quite helpful. It’s a more hands-on approach compared to some other programs. On the flip side, this level of personalized service and convenience comes at a higher cost compared to options like Optavia. But, in my opinion, the meals are not only tasty but also well-balanced nutritionally, which might justify the expense for some. Here’s the photo of one of the “unboxing” moments with Jenny Craig’s meals.
In a study from the Annals of Internal Medicine, folks who followed Jenny Craig dropped about 4.9% more weight compared to others in different groups. Yep, it’s impressive! So, if you want a hassle-free and effective start to your weight loss journey, Jenny Craig could be your go-to choice.
8. Skinny Box
I recently gave Skinny Box a try as a budget-friendly alternative to Optavia, and here’s my take. Skinny Box it’s a copycat of Optavia, offering a similar approach to weight loss without the hefty price tag. Their Skinny Bars, like the Peanut Butter flavor you see in the photo below, cost about $1.50 each, which is a significant saving compared to Optavia bars.
Just Like the Optavia 5 and 1 plan, the Skinny Box plan focuses on ‘lean and green’ meals, aiming for under 400 calories per serving, featuring lean proteins, low-carb vegetables, and healthy fats. It’s pretty much in line with what Optavia offers. While there are many similarities between Skinny Box and the Optavia diet, the former doesn’t include coaching and an MLM business model. Skinny Box is a family-owned business, started by a former Optavia member, Jason Barrett.
9. Wonderslim
If you’re looking for a cost-effective alternative to Optavia, Wonderslim might be just what you need. Unlike Optavia Fuelings and kits which can be only bought through independent Optavia coaches, Wonderslim is available in over 3000 retail stores across the US. Walmart, Target, Amazon, Costco, etc. So, you can easily grab their products while you’re out and about.
Plus, their products are affordable. On average, one Wonderslim bar costs $2.40, whereas Optavia bars cost $3.40. (That’s $150 saved per month without changing anything if you’re on a budget.) What’s more, Wonderslim is very similar to Optavia in terms of its products. Here’s the photo of the box full of WonderSlim Protein Cake Mix – the Double Chocolate flavor.
Just like with Optavia desserts, here you need to mix the powder with water and microwave for 1 minute. Apart from desserts, Wonderslim offers a wide variety of meal options including entrees, soups, breakfasts, protein shakes, and protein bars.
10. Clean Eatz Kitchen
Clean Eatz Kitchen is an alternative to Optavia’s lean and green meals. From my experience, Clean Eatz offers a pretty diverse menu that changes monthly. It’s kind of fun picking out different meals and keeping things fresh. They’ve got the whole process streamlined. You order, and they handle the planning, shopping, cooking, and delivery. Pretty convenient for someone like me who’s always on the go. The meals come fully cooked; just a quick zap in the microwave and you’re good to go. It’s a real time-saver, especially on those crazy busy days.
Now, about the meal quality and customer experience. Most customers, including busy professionals, athletes, and seniors, seem pretty happy with the service, citing consistency in taste and timely delivery. Clean Eatz supports various dietary preferences and goals, from weight loss to keto, with generally positive feedback on taste and quality. They claim to be a community focused on healthy lifestyle changes, which seems to resonate with their customer base.
How do we choose Alternatives to Optavia?
To create this list of Optavia alternatives, I took into account four main factors.
- Nutritional balance: The programs had to be nutritionally balanced and able to meet all the necessary nutritional needs.
- Sustainability: I was looking for weight loss programs that were sustainable and offered long-term results.
- Results: Effectiveness for weight loss was another crucial factor, so I evaluated the programs for their weight loss success rates.
- Safety: I made sure that the programs were safe and could provide healthy weight loss results over time.
How to find a diet similar to Optavia?
To find diets similar to Optavia, focus on programs offering portion control and healthy eating habits with a sustainable approach.
- Research Portion Control: Look for diets that emphasize portion control, as this is a key element in Optavia’s approach.
- Seek Healthy Eating Habits: Choose programs that promote healthy eating habits, including whole foods and balanced nutrition.
- Consider Cost-Effectiveness: Evaluate the cost of the program, ensuring it aligns with your budget without compromising quality.
- Explore Variety and Taste: Find a diet with a variety of meal options and tastes to avoid monotony and meet personal preferences.
- Assess Business Model: Understand the business model of the diet program, particularly if you prefer to avoid MLM structures.
- Examine Side Effects: Check for any potential side effects or dietary restrictions, like lactose intolerance, that the diet should accommodate.
- Evaluate Long-Term Sustainability: Ensure the diet provides a sustainable approach for long-term health and weight management goals.
What are the best affordable diets like Optavia?
The best affordable diets similar to Optavia, which emphasize controlled portions and healthy eating, include Keto, Intermittent Fasting, and the GOLO Diet. Keto focuses on high-fat, low-carb foods to trigger ketosis, while Intermittent Fasting involves cycling between periods of eating and fasting. The GOLO Diet combines a unique approach to balancing insulin levels with a comprehensive meal plan and exercise regimen. Other affordable diets like Optavia include Atkins, Ideal Protein, HMR, Plexus, and Livea.
- Optavia vs Atkins: The key differences lie in their approach to carb intake and meal structuring. Optavia is very low in carbs and calories, emphasizing packaged meal replacements and including personal coaching. Atkins, on the other hand, focuses on limiting carbs to a specific range and encourages high protein intake from sources like meat, eggs, and dairy. It has a 4-phase program with a gradual reintroduction of carbs and doesn’t require purchasing specialty foods, offering more food options and flexibility.
- Optavia vs Ideal Protein: This comparison was not directly covered in the sources, but generally, Ideal Protein is similar to Optavia in terms of offering a structured meal plan with prepackaged foods. However, Ideal Protein often emphasizes a ketogenic approach, encouraging the body to burn fat by limiting carbs more severely.
- Optavia vs HMR: HMR (Health Management Resources) also offers structured diet plans with meal replacements. The key difference from Optavia might be in the variety of meal replacements and the structure of the weight-loss phases, but specific details were not available in the sources.
- Optavia vs Plexus: Plexus primarily focuses on supplements to aid in weight loss and overall health, rather than providing structured meal plans or extensive personal coaching like Optavia. Plexus products are geared more towards improving gut health and reducing hunger.
- Optavia vs Livea: Livea’s weight management approach is centered on providing personalized meal plans and one-on-one coaching, somewhat similar to Optavia. However, specific differences in meal plan structuring and nutritional focus were not detailed in the sources.
What are the best diets similar to Optavia for rapid weight loss?
When comparing Optavia to other diets for rapid weight loss, several alternatives stand out, each with its unique approaches and benefits.
- Optavia vs Diet Direct: Diet Direct offers traditional diet meals focused on calories and nutrition, with a menu that includes items like chicken breast and vegetable stir-fries.
- Optavia vs Profile by Sanford: Profile by Sanford focuses on low-carb eating and offers personalized meal plans, ready-made meals, and professional coaching.
- Optavia vs Herbalife: Herbalife focuses on supplements and meal replacement shakes.
How to create your own diet similar to Optavia?
To create your own DIY Optavia diet, focus on portion-controlled, nutritious meals and snacks. Incorporate a variety of lean proteins, healthy fats, vegetables, and low-glycemic carbohydrates while tracking your daily calorie intake to support your weight loss goals.
What are the best diet products similar to Optavia?
If you’re looking for diet products similar to Optavia, here are some top options to consider:
- Xyngular offers a range of nutritional products and supplements designed to support weight management and overall wellness.
- Skinny Pop is known for its low-calorie popcorn snacks, making it a satisfying and guilt-free snack choice for those watching their calorie intake.
- Beachbody Shakeology is a popular meal replacement shake that provides a blend of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to support a healthy diet and weight loss.
- Optifast is a medically supervised program that includes meal replacements and professional guidance to help individuals achieve their weight loss goals.
- Premier Protein offers a variety of protein-based products, including shakes and bars, ideal for those looking to increase their protein intake while managing their weight.
