OPTAVIA and WonderSlim are two popular weight loss programs that both utilize meal replacements. However, they differ significantly in other areas. WonderSlim products are widely available at major online retailers like Amazon, Costco, and Walmart. In contrast, OPTAVIA is only available through their website and requires you to connect with an Independent OPTAVIA coach.
So, are WonderSlim and OPTAVIA the same? No. While both programs promote weight loss with convenient, portion-controlled snacks (shakes, bars, soups, desserts, etc.), they differ in price, daily calorie intake, food options, weight loss outcomes, and online reviews. OPTAVIA, though more expensive, offers online coaching and emphasizes lifestyle changes. WonderSlim, like other weight loss diets, primarily focuses on food choices without additional support.
Understanding these fundamental differences between OPTAVIA and WonderSlim will be crucial in your decision-making process. We, at Optimal Weight Plan, are a group of Independent OPTAVIA coaches ready to help you clarify how WonderSlim compares to OPTAVIA.
What Is the OPTAVIA Diet?
OPTAVIA, a low-calorie diet within the Medifast parent company, is designed to aid weight loss. Its core approach centers on “Fuelings,” portion-controlled meal replacements offered as shakes, bars, cereals, desserts, and hearty snacks. The main program of OPTAVIA is the Optimal Weight 5 & 1 plan, which includes 5 OPTAVIA Fuelings and one self-prepared lean and green meal. Is the Optimal Weight 5 & 1 plan legit? Yes, a 2018 randomized controlled trial by Linda M. Arterburn from Medifast Inc, showed an average body weight reduction of 5.7% over a 16-week period with the Optimal Weight 5 & 1 Plan. This is significantly greater than reductions observed with a self-directed, reduced-calorie diet, according to the study.
This is the biggest difference between OPTAVIA and WonderSlim, as the latter does not have any scientific backing beyond anecdotal evidence. OPTAVIA diet, although founded directly by Medifast company, has a number of scientific research papers published in well-known journals such as Obesity Science & Practice, Foods Journal, and Current Obesity Reports.
The main benefits of OPTAVIA include quick and easy ready-to-eat snacks that don’t require cooking (useful for people with busy lifestyles) and the potential for relatively quick weight loss results. Additionally, it provides education courses on nutrition as well as support community and coaching. The main drawback of the OPTAVIA diet is that “Fuelings” and snacks can be expensive, and it may become boring after a while due to limited snack and food choices.
What Is WonderSlim?
The Wonderslim diet is a meal replacement system offered by Diet Direct, a long-standing company in the weight loss industry. Founded in 2003, Diet Direct has become a prominent provider of weight loss products and programs. Is WonderSlim legit? Yes, WonderSlim stands out in the market, earning the #8 position in our Optimal Weight Plan rankings of OPTAVIA alternatives. Alongside Wonderslim, Diet Direct operates 7 other weight loss brands. WonderSlim focuses on convenience, offering three different plans to accommodate various needs: the Basic, Core, and Premium 4-Week Diet Plans. These plans vary in the number of pre-portioned meal replacements and snacks they provide per month.
WonderSlim offers a wide variety of snacks and foods, available from over 3000 different stores. However, some people may find the meal portions too small. Additionally, unlike OPTAVIA, WonderSlim lacks structured plans for weight loss, transition, and maintenance. They also don’t provide the same level of ongoing support, education, or one-on-one coaching that OPTAVIA users benefit from.
What Are the Differences Between OPTAVIA and WonderSlim?
The differences between OPTAVIA and WonderSlim primarily involve their price, products, ingredients, availability, results, and online feedback from clients. OPTAVIA is significantly more expensive than Wonderslim, with plans averaging around $400+ per month, while Wonderslim offers various plans with the cheapest option being very affordable. Wonderslim’s pricing heavily favors those willing to commit to longer plans, offering substantial discounts for upfront payment on extended plans. Due to lower prices and upfront discounts, Wonderslim potentially offers better value overall. Both programs provide structured meal plans focusing on pre-packaged foods and supplements.
1. Product Differences Between WonderSlim and OPTAVIA
OPTAVIA focuses on very low-calorie (100-110) snack-like “Fuelings” with their popular 5 & 1 plan (five Fuelings, one “lean and green” meal). WonderSlim offers a wider range of meal replacements (90-300 calories), including shakes and bars. OPTAVIA Fuelings are only available through their website or coaches; you won’t find them in stores. Wonderslim products are widely available in hundreds of retail stores across the US. Optavia’s 5 & 1 plan offers a strict 800-1000 calories daily, while Wonderslim plans provide 1000-1200 for women and 1500-1700 for men. Studies suggest very low-calorie diets may lead to faster initial weight loss but could be harder to sustain long-term.
2. Meal Differences Between WonderSlim and OPTAVIA Products
While both OPTAVIA and WonderSlim use pre-packaged meal replacements, only OPTAVIA require home-cooked “lean and green” meals focused on lean protein and low-carb vegetables. OPTAVIA’s 5 & 1 plan limits you to one lean and green meal daily with stricter guidelines: 5-7 oz protein, 3 servings of low-carb vegetables, and minimal healthy fats.
Both programs have quite a few options, including lean proteins, low-carb vegetables, and fats (mostly from fish and nuts). OPTAVIA doesn’t allow any high-carbohydrate vegetables, including:
- Potatoes
- Chickpeas
- Beans
- Carrots
- Corn
- Grains
Wonderslim does allow some high-carb vegetables in their meal plans. What’s more, both programs restrict or prohibit the consumption of alcohol. WonderSlim’s basic plan emphasizes a more balanced approach with two home-cooked meals for lunch and dinner, allowing for a wider selection of vegetables, including some higher-carb options.
3. Ingredient Differences Between WonderSlim and OPTAVIA Products
While Optavia and Wonderslim both rely on bioengineered food ingredients and avoid common artificial sweeteners, there are some notable distinctions:
- Macronutrients: OPTAVIA meals are higher in carbs than WonderSlim, though both feature a significant protein content.
- Sweeteners: OPTAVIA favors natural sweeteners like honey and stevia, while WonderSlim uses sugar alcohols like erythritol.
- Soy: Both brands use soy protein isolate, but WonderSlim offers more soy-free options, making it potentially better for those with soy sensitivities.
- Taste: Individual preferences vary, but some find Wonderslim meals bland compared to OPTAVIA’s sweeter flavor profile.
4. Differences In Weight Loss Results Between WonderSlim and OPTAVIA
OPTAVIA and WonderSlim offer structured meal plans that emphasize eating smaller portions spaced throughout the day for efficient weight loss. According to a randomized controlled trial published in Obesity Science & Practice, “The Medifast 5 & 1 program outperformed a self-directed reduced-calorie diet for weight loss and other measures.” Wonderslim doesn’t provide any scientific evidence or peer-reviewed articles on the efficacy of its products. However, a small UK study has shown that introducing meal replacements into weight loss programs may be a great way to help people manage overweight and obesity.
Research has found that programs with meal replacements have resulted in greater weight loss at the one-year mark compared to other techniques. Ultimately, both popular diet plans focus on associated lifestyle changes that may help people lose weight. According to Optavia’s disclaimer, the 5 & 1 plan promises to help you lose up to 12 pounds in 12 weeks. On the other hand, Wonderslim provides a more gradual approach to weight loss, with an average of 1-2 pounds per week.
5. Coaching Differences Between WonderSlim and OPTAVIA
One of the biggest differences between Optavia and Diet Direct weight loss programs is the coaching aspect. Wonderslim doesn’t give you access to health coaches. They only sell products and don’t require you to “promote” them to your friends and family. Diet Direct is also not multi-level marketing.
On the other hand, OPTAVIA offers the assistance of Independent Optavia Coaches, a network of health coaches who can support you throughout the program. If you’ve done your research, you can find your coach using the company’s website by entering their name. Depending on your location, you might be able to meet your coach in person or online.
While many studies confirm that having a coach can provide a wide range of health benefits, most OPTAVIA health coaches don’t have official certifications or licenses. They are not qualified nutritionists or dieticians, but rather people who completed the diet themselves and decided to become “wellness coaches”.
If you’re looking for experienced and qualified OPTAVIA coaches, Optimal Weight Plan is a group of OPTAVIA health coaches, personal trainers, and nutritionists with years of experience. We offer complimentary consultations to learn which plan suits you best.
6. Differences In Reviews Between WonderSlim and OPTAVIA
OPTAVIA is not BBB accredited and has received limited reviews by doctors. Aside from a MedPage Today article questioning the ethics of healthcare professionals involved in MLMs, there’s little medical commentary. The Better Business Bureau gives Optavia a poor rating of 1.52/5. In the last three years, they’ve received 475 complaints, mostly about over-priced diet plans and issues with returns/refunds.
Additionally, users frequently report undesirable side effects from Optavia products, including stomach pains, dizziness, and headaches. Others criticize the meals as expensive and lacking variety. In contrast, Diet Direct, Inc., the parent company of Wonderslim, has been BBB accredited since 2005, but there are no readily available reviews.
What Is Better? OPTAVIA vs. WonderSlim?
One thing that really stands out between Optavia and WonderSlim is the comprehensive list of value lists, guides, and cheat sheets OPTAVIA has to offer. Eating out can be tricky for someone trying to stay on track with health goals, and this often leads many to feel limited. OPTAVIA’s dining out guide offers people a chance to confidently dine out without compromising those hard-earned results. It covers not only approved restaurants but also provides macro-nutrients of popular restaurant foods. On the contrary, WonderSlim doesn’t have an official restaurant guide.
When comparing the shopping guides of WonderSlim vs OPTAVIA, it becomes evident that there are some differences in the information provided. The WonderSlim shopping guide simply presents a list of their products, providing information such as the name, price, and nutritional value of each item. In contrast, the OPTAVIA shopping guide goes beyond just listing products by including a list of retail stores that carry approved products for their 5 and 1 plan.
Ultimately, it is up to you to decide which diet plan you choose. You will also need to consider how much time each plan requires for shopping, preparing meals, and maintaining consistent habits. If a close friend asked me which one I prefer, I would go with Wonderslim. Why? OPTAVIA has a specific program that requires pre-ordering meals from the company directly, which can be, well, cost-prohibitive. In that case, Wonderslim is definitely a cheaper alternative.
What’s more, OPTAVIA certainly has a sales-oriented approach to its products, and those who become OPTAVIA customers are often encouraged to become coaches themselves. If you’re looking for guidance from a reputable OPTAVIA coach who can help you transform your health, let us connect you with someone from our qualified team.
How Does OPTAVIA and WonderSlim Compare to Other Diets?
WonderSlim and OPTAVIA offer a variety of similar diets that also utilize meal replacements, such as Skinny Box, SlimFast, Atkins, Nutrisystem, or Jenny Craig. These OPTAVIA diet alternatives also sell portion-controlled meals and snacks, with slight differences between each program. Skinny Box and Jenny Craig are almost identical, with the primary difference being price. Nutrisystem and SlimFast are partial meal replacement options, allowing you to choose when to outsource your entire meals or simply use 1-2 shakes per day to reduce your calorie intake.
