Adherence
A portion-controlled meal replacement diet plan (Medifast 5 & 1) produces significantly greater initial weight loss and superior body composition changes (fat loss, lean mass preservation) compared to an isocaloric food-based diet over a 16-week period.
If you struggle with portion control or meal planning, a structured meal replacement program like Medifast 5 & 1 can help you lose weight faster and preserve muscle better than a standard calorie-counted diet, provided you can tolerate the specific food products. The key benefit is the ease of adherence, not a magical metabolic property.
Weight loss at 16 weeks was significantly better in the Medifast group (MD) versus the food-based group (FB) (12.3% vs. 6.9%)... Significant improvements in body composition were also observed in MD participants compared to FB at week 16 and week 40.
Why this rating
Randomized controlled trial with a reasonable sample size (n=90), though the study was funded by the manufacturer (Medifast).
Source
Efficacy of a meal replacement diet plan compared to a food-based diet plan after a period of weight loss and weight maintenance: a randomized controlled trial
Lisa Davis et al. · Nutrition Journal · 2010
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