Irrational Numbers: Doing the Math on Medifast Popcorn

This is not a review of Medifast's new Cheddar & Sour Cream or Sea Salt popcorn snacks. In order for me to review these new products in the Medifast food line, I would have to purchase them. And for some reason (common sense, maybe?) I can not bring myself to pay $42.18 per pound for pre-popped, artificially flavored corn kernels.

Looks delish, but worth more than $40 a pound?

Even if they are portion controlled in a pretty bag with the Medifast brand on the label.

For some reason P.T. Barnum comes to mind
when I think of Medifast popcorn

Call me crazy. Or maybe someone who doesn't like to get ripped off.

Here's how I did the math.

Each bag of Medifast popcorn contains 12 grams of product. There are 453 grams in one pound.

I divided the 453 by 12, and was shocked to discover there are 37 bags of Medifast popcorn in one pound.

At $1.14 per bag that amounts to $42.18 per pound.

That's even more expensive than movie theater popcorn, which is typically marked up more than 1000%.

In fact, for $42 bucks you can buy two or three pounds of superior quality meat or seafood or 10 to 15 pounds of organic vegetables, any of which would provide you with far more nutrition than the basically empty calories (each bag has 6 grams of carbs and only one gram each of protein and fiber) of Medifast's new snack option.

Medifast's meal replacements are arguably expensive, but they do provide a lot of protein, fiber and vitamins that allowed me to feel satisfied and healthy enough to stay on plan for almost four months to lose 35 pounds. They were worth every penny to me.

For a wonderful review of all the Medifast popcorn and chip snacks, see this You Tube video by one of my favorite Medifast vlogger, Leah a.k.a. FitAndFab ByForty.

But the Medifast popcorn is not a replacement meal. It's a snack. And it is only marginally superior to the bagged popcorns already available in the supermarkets, thanks to its slightly lower sodium profile. The calories, carbs and fiber in the Medifast popcorn are almost identical to that of Smartfood's White Cheddar Cheese popcorn, which is not only to die for taste-wise, but also has a smaller, more natural ingredient list.

No matter how good the Medifast popcorn might taste (and the reviews I have read in the blogs and seen on You Tube are very positive), I'll save my Jacksons for real food vs. empty calorie snacks I can purchase for a fraction of the cost and portion control in my own Ziploc bags.

Really, Medifast. At over a buck a bag, you could have at least included a prize.

Shop and compare: Medifast popcorn Vs. Smartfood popcorn

Nutrition facts and ingredient list for Medifast Cheddar & Sour Cream popcorn.

Popcorn, vegetable oil (contains one or more of the following: canola, corn, cottonseed, soybean or sunflower oil), maltodextrin, whey, salt, cheddar cheese (cultured milk, salt and enzymes), onion powder, nonfat dry milk, dextrose, dry shortening (whey, soybean oil), sour cream (cultured cream, nonfat dry milk), sugar, whey protein concentrate, citric acid, lactic acid, natural flavor, paprika extract, yeast extract. Contains: milk and soy.

Nutrition facts and ingredients list for Smartfood White Cheddar Popcorn. Note: Serving amount is more than double that of Medifast popcorn so per gram it contains the same 2 grams of carbs (28 divided by14).



You can purchase Medifast replacement meals directly from Medifast Centers, the Medifast website or -- for less cost -- through the co-branded website of a Medifast TSFL health coach. Medifast does not recommend purchasing its products from third party vendors, but if you choose to do so, you can find them on both Amazon and eBay.

Medifast Custom Order - You Choose ANY 10 Boxes



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Wabi Sabi Dieting & Renee Zelwegger's New Face
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Losing Those Last %&@# 10 Pounds

When I lost 35 pounds on Medifast this year, I was one of the lucky people who had no trouble shedding my last 10 pounds. I religiously stayed on plan, and the fat steadily melted until I reached my target weight. My goals were to have a normal body mass index (BMI), drop two sizes and get an A on my labs, all of which I achieved.

It's possible the reason for my success was that my goals were reasonable. Some people may seek to squeeze back into their wedding dress or time travel back to their high school weight, dreams that may not make sense for them now.

In a blog post called "'Just Another Ten Pounds' or How to Know When Your Weight Loss is Over," "Refuse to Regain" author Barbara Berkeley, MD, suggests that if you hit a brick wall before you reach your goal weight, you should probably just accept that your body is meant to be at a higher weight. She recommends shifting the focus to maintaining your weight and, if you still really want to lose that last 10 pounds, taking a stab at it later.

In contrast, a "Prevention" article suggests making some tweaks to rid your body of that residual 10 pounds. Madelyn Fernstrom, PhD, author of The Runner's Diet, suggests doing cardio four to five times a week, lifting weights, walking and standing more, eating less meat, and starting each meal with an apple or other relatively low-calorie food that will fill you up. She explains the last 10 pounds are harder to lose than the first 50 "because the slimmer you become, the fewer calories you burn just going about your day."

Fitness guru Jillian Michaels of "Biggest Loser" fame calls the last 10 pounds "vanity pounds" because they are generally despised more for appearance than health. "The body struggles to hold on to that last bit of fat for survival purposes," she writes on her blog, though she also has tips for those who want to persevere, including completely cutting out processed food, drinking more water, 86ing alcohol, and training at 85 percent of your maximum heart rate for an hour five times a week.

For some people, totally mixing things up could be the best way to say adios to the final 10. Dr. Joseph Mercola is a big fan of modified fasting to lose weight. That could mean creating a smaller window of feeding time -- for instance, eating only between the hours of 11 am to 7 pm. Mercola explains this shift makes it easier for the body to fuel itself with fat instead of sugar because if you're constantly feeding yourself, you never deplete your glycogen stores.

Bottom line: Unless you are one of the fortunate few, you may have to do something totally different to lose your last 10 pounds than the diet and exercise program that got you 10 feet from the goal post.

You can purchase Medifast replacement meals directly from Medifast Centers, the Medifast website or -- for no extra cost -- through the co-branded website of a Medifast TSFL health coach. Medifast does not recommend purchasing its products from third party vendors, but if you choose to do so, you can find them on both Amazon and eBay.

Medifast replacement meals on Amazon

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How Medifast Helped Me Develop Better Habits

Medifast Centers Vs. DIY Medifast

My Favorite Medifast Kitchen Gadgets

Medifast Vs. Lean Cuisine Diet

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How "Just for Today" Thinking Can Help You Avoid Taco Bell

Sometimes it can be daunting when you're on a diet and know you will not be eating bread, pizza or -- in the case of Medifast -- even healthy fruits like watermelon for several months.

That's where it helps to think like a recovering alcoholic. Anyone familiar with AA knows the phrase, "Just for today..." which is completed by various statements such as "I will try to live through this day only and not tackle my whole life problem at once. I can do something for twelve hours that would appall me if I felt that I had to keep it up for a lifetime."

I was reminded of the "Just for today" thought twisting technique this morning when I read a friend's powerful post on Facebook:

"The struggle is truly real. I had to try so hard tonight not to get Taco Bell. It took all my willpower not to. I even got in the drive thru and changed my mind when it was my turn to order. I was also stuck. 3 cars behind me and about 5 in front of me .

"I came home and made 2 lean turkey burgers and broccoli and sriracha. Every day is a battle. At least I won today. #battlealldayeveryday #25down60togo"

I don't know about you, but I have never driven away from a Taco Bell drive-in window empty handed. Once I found myself sandwiched between other cars, I would probably shrug my shoulders and order something, even if it was not the cheese-oozing carb-loaded item I had originally craved.

When I was in my active weight loss phase, Medifast was a helpful tool in avoiding Taco Bell and the like since there are few foods at fast food joints I could "legally" eat. But if you're on a more generalized eating regime like low-carb or Weight Watchers in which a greater variety of foods are acceptable, you might find yourself in the jaws of temptation more often.

And that's when you have to make a decision for just that moment. Because moments add up to hours which add up to days and weeks and decades. Having to make a decision for what you will five years from now is pretty scary, but you can make a decision that just for today you will make choices that serve your goals.

So here's my "Just for today" affirmation for those who are modifying their eating to lose weight and gain optimal health.

"Just for today I will choose only foods that nourish my body and melt off fat. I can eat consciously for 12 hours knowing that it would totally freak me out if I thought I could never eat fried chicken or French fries again."

For more like this, see 34 Positive Thoughts Just for Today

You can purchase Medifast replacement meals directly from Medifast Centers, the Medifast website or -- for no extra cost -- through the co-branded website of a Medifast TSFL health coach. Medifast does not recommend purchasing its products from third party vendors, but if you choose to do so, you can find them on both Amazon and eBay.

Medifast replacement meals on Amazon

Similar posts:

How Medifast Helped Me Develop Better Habits

Medifast Centers Vs. DIY Medifast

My Favorite Medifast Kitchen Gadgets

Medifast Vs. Lean Cuisine Diet

Visit my other blogs:

Fit Kitty

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Dictionary Woman

Paleo, Vegan, Low Carb, Gluten Free: Which Diet is the Healthiest?

Remember the scene from the 1973 movie "Sleeper" in which a health food store owner is woken out of his frozen state 200 years into the future:

Dr. Melik: Well, he's fully recovered, except for a few minor kinks.
Dr. Agon: Has he asked for anything special?
Dr. Melik: Yes, this morning for breakfast. He requested something called wheat germ, organic honey and tiger's milk.
Dr. Agon: [ laughs ] Oh, yes. Those were the charmed substances...that some years ago were felt to contain life-preserving properties.
Dr. Melik: You mean there was no deep fat? No steak or cream pies? Or hot fudge?
Dr. Agon: Those were thought to be unhealthy, precisely the opposite of what we now know to be true.
Dr. Melik: Incredible.

Who thought steak would ever be considered a health food?

Released during a time when low fat was king and wheat germ had the cachet of flax and chia seeds, "Sleeper" epitomizes the topsy turvy world of nutrition. Substances like eggs, coffee, chocolate and red wine are no longer considered bad, and juicy steaks are now revered by Paleo types, most of whom wouldn't let wheat germ touch their lips.

Were you to read a health magazine from the 1970s today, you would likely laugh at some of the dietary recommendations and taboos. We have moved past a one-size-fits-all approach to diet and nutrition toward a more pluralistic view that considers biodiversity and personal preference.

A couple of decades ago, I was a strict vegan for a few years, but I started craving meat. Rather than suppress this urge, I gave in to it. Gradually I came to realize my body is happier when I eat beef, chicken and fish.Yet others who eschew anything with a face or byproduct thereof may feel worse after eating these foods.

Rather than claim, "My diet is right" or "This is the best way to eat," we should all take a step back and consider what is correct for us. If we are at a healthy weight, have sufficient energy and enjoy a feeling of well being, our diet is good, whether it's vegan, paleo, low carb or the Dr. Oz diet du jour.

Still, if you're in the process of losing weight on a program like Medifast, you likely deal with naysayers on a daily basis. The know-it-alls will lecture you that replacement meals are not natural and you cannot eat them forever.

But if you are losing weight and feeling fine, keep doing what you're doing. Medifast worked for me, and it may work for you, too -- though ultimately the program is not designed for you to eat packet meals and shakes forever.

Like Goldilocks, you will ultimately develop a just-right eating style based on regular foods that you have customized to your taste buds and body type.

You can purchase Medifast replacement meals directly from Medifast Centers, the Medifast website or -- for no extra cost -- through the co-branded website of a Medifast TSFL health coach. Medifast does not recommend purchasing its products from third party vendors, but if you choose to do so, you can find them on both Amazon and eBay.

Medifast replacement meals on Amazon

Similar posts:

How Medifast Helped Me Develop Better Habits

Medifast Centers Vs. DIY Medifast

My Favorite Medifast Kitchen Gadgets

Medifast Vs. Lean Cuisine Diet

Visit my other blogs:

Fit Kitty

Food Trends 

Bookish

Dictionary Woman