ARC Healthiness – Frequently Asked Questions:

• How effective is Optifast?

  Our Optifast total meal replacement program has helped deliver outstanding results to our patients! The program requires a commitment to changing your diet, the way you think about food, and other behaviors. It will help you with positive change, which can occur quickly. In addition to losing weight, you may improve your health, learn new, improved eating habits, and engage in activities. Our focus is on helping you through the weight-loss, transition, and maintenance stages of your diet so that when you return to self-prepared foods, you are better equipped to manage your weight long-term.

  In general, patients who don’t like to cook, who travel a lot, or who have busier schedules tend to like Optifast because it is “easy,” and patients “do not have to think” about what to do for their next meal. This is more of a lifestyle change, as you are not eating your “normal” foods but rather are only getting your nutrition from shakes, bars, or soups. Optifast is a total meal replacement plan, which means you only eat/drink Optifast products during the plan. With Optifast meal replacements, you don’t have to plan, shop, or prepare. They’re either ready to eat or just require mixing with water, so they’re fast and easy to enjoy even on the go. Some patients feel Optifast is easier at the beginning because the fewer choices you have, the easier it is to stay on track with your diet. These patients feel the harder part is the transition back to normal foods since you have more choices in food options, and it is harder to reincorporate those choices alongside the product.

• How much weight should I expect to lose?

  Expect to lose 1% - 2% body fat per week with Optifast. Typically, we recommend that patients wanting to lose 50+ pounds try Optifast. However, Optifast is still a great option to meet your weight-loss goal!

• How long will I be using meal replacements?

  The length of Optifast varies, depending on your weight-loss goals and your Healthiness physician’s or advanced practice clinician's (APC's) recommendations. For the Optifast plan, you will not be on full meal replacements for more than 6 months. This means the Optifast meal replacements will not be your primary or sole source of nutrition for longer than 6 months. During your transition phase, you will slowly taper back to your more “normal” food and decrease the Optifast meal replacements, as guided by the Healthiness staff. We have found that patients still like to use products as a quick breakfast food or snack throughout their busy day, and that’s great! You are welcome to purchase the products you love. We also have found that some patients who are trying to lose large amounts of weight may opt to go through a couple of iterations of the plan in order to achieve their goal.

• How many food options do I have?

  Optifast meal replacements include bars, shakes, or soups from a selection of over 10 options.

• How many calories do I need to eat each day?

  Optifast is low carb, low calorie, and low fat. The plan can be very flexible with meal times and with what types of food are consumed at each meal.
  You will need to consume approximately 800 calories per day, as directed by your physician or advanced practice clinician (APC).

• How much food product do I need to eat each day?

  You will need to have 5 Optifast products per day.

• Will I need to buy groceries while I am on the Optifast plan?

  No. Optifast serves as a total meal replacement.

• Do I need to take vitamins and supplements?

  No. Optifast incorporates all vitamins and supplements within its formula for shakes, bars, and soups.

• Will I regain weight after I'm completed?

  The Optifast plan has found great success with our patients! It requires commitment to changing your diet, the way you think about food, and some behaviors. ARC Healthiness focuses on helping you through the weight-loss, transition, and maintenance stages of your diet so that when you return to self-prepared foods, you are better equipped to manage your long-term weight. You will have a Healthiness physician or advanced practice clinician (APC), dietician, and health guide help you on your journey to success!

• Will you help me after I “complete” the Optifast plan?

  We believe healthiness is a never-ending journey. What makes ARC different is that we have a specialized team devoted to making sure you receive the best care possible. Our Healthiness physicians, advanced practice clinicians (APCs), and health guides work together for a comprehensive look at your needs. Once you have completed the meal replacement portion, we have several ways of transitioning you back to your more “normal” diet with the help of our Healthiness staff. We offer extra resources such as:

  • Prescription Medications/Supplements: These prescription medications help patients who have lost a lot of weight maintain their weight loss by decreasing appetite, increasing feelings of fullness, etc. Please ask your Healthiness physician or APC if prescription medications are right for you.

• Can I drink coffee or tea?

  Yes, you can drink coffee or tea. It is recommended to not have creamer and to only have artificial sweeteners. Patients have found mixing a sweet-flavored shake with their coffee in the mornings is a fantastic replacement for their usual sugar and cream/creamer.

• Can I continue to exercise?

  Vigorous exercise is not recommended while on the Optifast diet. With the limited amount of calories that you will be consuming, we have found it is best to focus on the diet portion before incorporating your exercise into the plan. We do recommend regular exercise, such as walking, yoga, or other leisurely activities.

• I heard shake diets are not healthy – how is Optifast different?

  Optifast is a medically supervised meal replacement plan where you meet with your Healthiness physician or advanced practice clinician (APC) monthly and have meetings with your health guide on a weekly basis. You are closely monitored so that you can progress towards better health and emotional well-being. Optifast is a Nestlé product that is manufactured under stringent quality standards that meet or exceed applicable federal standards. Optifast includes 100% of the recommended daily value for at least 24 vitamins and minerals and is also an excellent source of protein and calcium. Read the study here.

• Will I need to take appetite suppressants?

  This varies depending on your medical history, preferences, and physician or advanced practice clinician (APC) recommendations. Please ask your Healthiness physician or APC more about appetite suppressants to see if they are right for you.

• What do you recommend if I do a lot of travel for work?

  Patients who travel a lot for work tend to like Optifast since it is a meal replacement, which means you only eat/drink Optifast products. Optifast is good for patients who don’t like to cook, travel a lot, or have busier schedules because it is “easy” and patients “do not have to think” about what to do for their next meal. With Optifast meal replacements, you don’t have to plan, shop, or prepare. They’re either ready to eat or just require mixing with water, so they’re fast and easy to enjoy even on the go.

• What kinds of side effects should I expect?

  Side effects are normal, mild, and usually go away on their own - for emergencies, please dial 911. Since you are dramatically altering your daily food regime and changing your basic metabolic processes, the first few days on Optifast may be a little bit of a shock to your body. Some of the most common side effects of these changes include headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, dry mouth, bad breath, muscle cramps, frequent urination, constipation, or diarrhea. These symptoms may occur during the first few days. However, your body may also react with the same responses later on if you do not follow the weight-loss method as prescribed. Please let your health guide know if you are experiencing mild side effects during your weekly visit so that you can be guided on how to ease the side effects.