OPTAVIA and Skinny Box are diet programs designed to aid in weight loss and healthy living. Skinny Box is a meal replacement service offering pre-portioned, calorie-controlled meals to support weight loss and a healthy lifestyle.OPTAVIA is a weight loss program providing meal replacements, coaching, and a structured eating plan to help individuals achieve their health goals. The primary difference between Skinny Box and OPTAVIA is that OPTAVIA includes personalized coaching and a structured plan, whereas Skinny Box focuses on providing mainly the meals.
While both OPTAVIA and Skinny Box aim to support weight loss and promote healthy eating habits, differences in prices, meal plans, products,and weight loss results can influence the decision of which program is the better option. Given the variety of options available, it’s important to choose the plan that best aligns with your individual needs and preferences. If you’re looking to maximize your time and minimize what goes into meal planning, we at Optimal Weight Plan are a group of OPTAVIA coaches that help people start or restart the OPTAVIA diet, as well as develop DIY options. Book a complimentary call with one of our experts to learn which plan works best for you.
What Is Skinny Box?
The Skinny Box diet is an up-and-coming meal replacement weight loss system that provides low-calorie packaged products and requires you to cook only one homemade meal per day. Similar to OPTAVIA, Skinny Box focuses on snacks such as protein bars, shakes, desserts, and selected hearty meals like soups, mashed potatoes, and crackers. Ranked #7 among our top OPTAVIA diet alternatives, Skinny Box competes with other popular options like NOOM and Nutrisystem.
So, how does Skinny Box work? The program offers three levels, all involving a mixture of packaged shakes and other snacks known as Skinny Packs:
- Level 1 – Fat Burn
- Level 2 – Furnace
- Level 3 – Furious
Skinny Box states that each Skinny Pack contains the right amount of calories and nutrients to induce a mild ketogenic state. According to a 2020 study from the New Balance Foundation Obesity Prevention Center at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, published in The Journal of Nutrition, “a diet that helps you reach a ketogenic state is safe for most people and is a good first step for people who are obese or have diabetes.” While the Skinny Box diet works based on the principles of meal replacement, its specific effects on weight loss have not been scientifically evaluated. However, a 2019 meta-analysis from researchers at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences at the University of Oxford, published in the Obesity Reviews Journal, concluded that “programs that include meal replacements help people lose weight better than other programs and should be used to help people who are overweight or obese.”
What Is the OPTAVIA Diet?
OPTAVIA, like Skinny Box, offers a structured approach to weight loss and maintenance, combining packaged foods,homemade meals, and personalized coaching to help individuals achieve their goals.
The OPTAVIA diet consists of three main phases:
- Weight Loss Plan (5 & 1 Plan): This initial phase focuses on rapid weight loss through a combination of OPTAVIA Fuelings (pre-packaged meals) and one Lean & Green meal prepared at home.
- Transition Plan: This phase gradually reintroduces more food variety and flexibility as individuals approach their target weight.
- Weight Maintenance Plan (3 & 3 Plan): This long-term phase emphasizes balanced eating habits to sustain weight loss with three OPTAVIA Fuelings and three Lean & Green meals daily.
Unlike Skinny Box, OPTAVIA has a more established scientific background. For example, a 2013 randomized controlled trial published in the International Journal of Obesity found that the Medifast diet (similar to OPTAVIA) led to greater weight loss, lower BMI, and reduced fat mass compared to a conventional weight loss diet over 26 and 52 weeks.
What Are the Differences Between OPTAVIA and Skinny Box?
The main difference between OPTAVIA and Skinny Box is the cost. OPTAVIA’s Optimal Weight 5 & 1 Plan Kit, which includes a Premier membership, starts at $396.50 for the first order and then costs $471.85 per month. In contrast, Skinny Box costs $242 per month, which breaks down to $11 per box of 7 servings. Skinny Box also offers a Lifetime Membership for $100, providing access to discounts and special offers. Beyond cost, other differences between the two programs include the meal plans, product offerings, coaching styles, and typical weight loss results.
1. Product Differences Between Skinny Box and OPTAVIA
The main product differences between OPTAVIA and Skinny Box are the variety and nutritional content. OPTAVIA offers 70 fuelings, including shakes, bars, oatmeal, cereals, and snacks, with each serving containing 100-110 calories and at least 10 grams of protein. In contrast, Skinny Box offers 63 Skinny Packs, which are also high in protein and low in carbs, but their calorie count ranges from 80 to 160 per serving. While both programs have a similar menu, Skinny Box products have a wider calorie range compared to the more uniform OPTAVIA fuelings.
Apart from eating five small packs/fuelings every 2-3 hours per day, both OPTAVIA and Skinny Box require you to cook one main meal. According to their program, you should include 5-7 oz of lean protein foods in your one meal a day, as well as include two healthy fats and three servings of low-carb vegetables.
- Leans: Fish, chicken, turkey, or beef (98% lean ground).
- Vegetables: Broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, asparagus, cabbage, zucchini, squash, spaghetti squash, etc.
- Healthy fats: Olive oil, ranch dressing, butter, and cream cheese.
2. Coaching Differences Between Skinny Box and OPTAVIA
OPTAVIA offers ongoing coaching support for all of its members. After signing up, you’ll meet with your dedicated coach daily for the first 4 days to create a personalized plan. From there, you and your coach will decide together how often to meet and how to stay connected, ensuring you receive the support you need throughout your weight-loss journey. Your coach’s expertise and support are valuable, and they earn an income when people use their unique link to purchase OPTAVIA products.
Unlike OPTAVIA, Skinny Box does not offer personal one-on-one coaching and ongoing support. While they provide some support through their contact page and online group, they lack the personalized guidance and accountability that many people find beneficial in a weight-loss journey.
If you’re ready to experience the transformative power of personalized coaching and achieve lasting weight-loss success, contact one of our Optimal Weight Plan Independent coaches today for a free consultation. We’ll discuss your goals and create a customized plan to help you reach them.
3. Differences In Weight Loss Results Between Skinny Box and OPTAVIA
OPTAVIA, formerly known as Medifast, boasts a 20-year history in the health and wellness sector. Their weight loss plans have garnered attention in various media outlets, including breaking news, television shows, and even academic publications like the Nutrition Journal, Obesity Science and Practice Journal, and Behavioral Sciences Journal. PR Newswire has recognized Optavia as one of the fastest-growing health communities. However, it’s important to note that some authors of the studies citing the efficacy of Medifast products have received compensation from the company, raising potential conflicts of interest. Independent research on the long-term effects of the OPTAVIA diet remains lacking.
In contrast, Skinny Box doesn’t offer any scientific evidence or peer-reviewed studies to support the effectiveness of its products. The only testimonials available are found on their social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
4. Price Differences Between Skinny Box and OPTAVIA
The price difference between OPTAVIA and Skinny Box is $7.87 per day, with OPTAVIA costing $15.73 per day and Skinny Box costing $7.86 per day. Skinny Box is more affordable than OPTAVIA. Additionally, OPTAVIA requires a Premier membership, and Skinny Box offers a $100 Lifetime Membership for access to discounts, but there are no other hidden costs mentioned for either program.
OPTAVIA vs Skinny Box: Which One Is Better?
When it comes to choosing between OPTAVIA and Skinny Box, OPTAVIA may be better for those looking for a more structured and researched plan, while Skinny Box offers a more affordable option. Both programs have their pros and cons, so the best choice depends on individual preferences and goals. Below is a comparison to help you decide.
| OPTAVIA | Skinny Box |
|---|---|
| Pros | Pros |
| – May promote weight loss by creating a calorie deficit. | – Likely to result in short-term weight loss due to very low-calorie intake. |
| – Easy to stick to with minimal food preparation. | – Easy and convenient with minimal food prep. |
| Cons | Cons |
| – Calorie count might not be enough for healthy weight maintenance. | – Very low-calorie intake might not be healthy long-term. |
| – Relies on processed foods. | – Limits specific types of foods and relies on processed foods with artificial ingredients. |
We, at Optimal Weight Plan, can help you decide which plan is better for your needs or assist you in developing a DIY approach tailored to your lifestyle. Contact us today to get started!
What Are the Other OPTAVIA alternatives besides Skinny Box?
Here’s a table listing OPTAVIA alternatives besides Skinny Box.
| Alternative Program | Description | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Nutrisystem | Nutrisystem provides pre-packaged meals and snacks designed for weight loss. | www.nutrisystem.com |
| WW (Weight Watchers) | WW focuses on a points system to encourage healthy eating habits and weight loss. | www.weightwatchers.com |
| Jenny Craig | Jenny Craig provides personal coaching and pre-packaged meals for weight loss. | www.jennycraig.com |
| Noom | Noom uses a psychology-based approach to help users develop healthy eating habits. | www.noom.com |
| South Beach Diet | The South Beach Diet emphasizes low-carb, high-protein foods for weight loss. | www.southbeachdiet.com |
| BistroMD | BistroMD delivers doctor-designed, chef-prepared meals to help with weight management. | www.bistromd.com |
| HMR Program | The HMR Program combines meal replacements and lifestyle coaching for weight loss. | www.hmrprogram.com |
| Diet-to-Go | Diet-to-Go offers balanced, calorie-controlled meal plans for weight loss. | www.diettogo.com |
These alternatives to OPTAVIA offer a variety of approaches to weight loss, including meal replacements, pre-packaged meals, and personalized coaching
