What are the Optifast products like an honest review

This article features a review of Optifast meal replacement products by Optifast and includes affiliate links. All opinions and experiences are my own.

I have previously shared the Optifast weight loss plan with you, a plan the NHS love because it is an easy healthy way to lose weight with meal replacements. Perfect for those who are short of time to cook or prefer a simple meal replacement plan.

Selection of optifast products stacked up including shakes, creme and bars with a shaker

What is the Optifast plan?

Optifast is a weight loss plan specifically designed to replace all or some of your meals. It is approved by the NHS and encourages safe weight loss. The Optifast products contain all the nutrients you need to maintain good health whilst being calorie controlled so that it is easy to use them to lose weight.

Using Optifast as a full meal replacement diet is an 800 calorie plan, however, if you have less weight to lose or a lifestyle that warrants it you can choose to replace only some meals with the Optifast products.

Read my previous review of Optifast here.

Boxes of Optifast shakes strawberry and chocolate with a plastic shaker cup

Optifast Product variety

The products by Optifast fall into four catergories:

Drinks
Bars
Soups
Cremes

All are calorie-controlled and contain 100% of the nutrients you need every day. It is advised, however, not to have more than one bar in a day. Whilst they are nice, they are slightly higher in calories and we all need variety too!

Powder being poured into the Optifast shaker cup

Optifast Drinks

The Optifast drinks are easy to make and if you like protein shakes you are sure to like these. Flavours available are:

Chocolate
Strawberry
Vanilla
Coffee

There is a shaker you can buy to make it easier to make the drinks and helps with mixing them so definitely worth the buy.

Each drink contains around 216 calories.

Chocolate and strawberry shake boxes with empty shaker

Optifast Bars

The Optifast bars are all available in packs of 6 and an easy on the go option if you struggle for time! Flavours available are:

Chocolate
Cereal
Berry
Cappuccino

Each bar contains approximately 224 calories.

Optifast Soups

These are simple powdered soups you can make up for an easy lunch or evening meal. There are three varieties available:

Tomato
Vegetable
Potato and Leek

Each of the soups are 216 calories.

Optifast Creme

These are dessert meal replacements and perfect if you have a sweet tooth. I would describe them as quite a thick cold custard type consistency, a little like Angel Delight. There are two flavours available:

Chocolate
Vanilla

The Cremes are each 216 calories.

My thoughts on the Optifast products.

I have quite a sweet tooth and much prefer sweet over savoury so this time I did not try the soups. If you like soup then you would enjoy them I am sure. I have tested these on what feels like the hottest week of the year so I am glad I have opted for the other choices!

I would definitely recommend if you have the drinks to buy the shaker and use that to prepare the drinks. It makes a big difference in mixing them well and ensuring you enjoy them. I prefer them with lots of ice so found it best to shake the ice well first to break it up slightly then add the drink powder and water and shake again.

Lady with curly dark purple hair holding optifast shaker and box

The Creme desserts are easy to make and I think they are best when they have been chilled for around 10-15 minutes before enjoying them. This makes them set a little. I have only tried the vanilla creme as I have never liked things like chocolate mousse or chocolate ice cream so doubt I would like this! I have seen good reviews of it online though so I imagine it is as good as the vanilla one.

The bars are easy and perfect for a quick meal replacement without needing any preparation. If you follow the Optifast plan and want an easy work lunch it would be perfect if you don’t want to carry round your shaker or make up a soup or creme.

Is Optifast a good diet for you?

If you are someone who would like to still eat some meals then I would recommend considering the partial meal replacement plan as you can have a healthy evening meal alongside the Optifast products during the day.

If you are not sure whether Optifast would work for you it is always best to check with your GP. Sometimes weight loss is better when it is monitored by a health professional, especially if you have certain health conditions and take medication which needs to be monitored as your weight changes.

If you are considering Optifast you do not need to commit straight away. There is a 1 Week trial pack you could consider. It is currently £30 so a great way to see if this plan suits you.

Using Optifast before surgery

Before weight loss surgery, the NHS recommends using Optifast because it helps patients lose weight quickly and safely. This is important because reducing weight before surgery can make the procedure safer and easier.

Optifast is a special meal replacement plan that provides all the necessary nutrients while keeping calorie intake low. By shedding those extra pounds, patients can also reduce the size of their liver, which is beneficial for the surgery. Plus, starting this healthier lifestyle before surgery can help set the stage for lasting success afterwards.