I get a lot of questions about Medifast’s “lean and green meal”. This is the biggest main meal that the company wants you to make yourself to get fresh food and the nutrients your body needs. Yes, prepackaged Medifast meals are fortified and packed with vitamins and minerals, but fresh foods will always work best. People want to know if they can skip this meal or if they can substitute one of the prepackaged “Medifast meals” for the lean and green. People have also asked if they can use a frozen meal to satisfy this requirement as they really like to have their food prepared for them. I will address these concerns in the following article.

Why people think of skipping or replacing lean and green food: I have many reasons for this, but here are the most common ones. Sometimes people think they are saving calories or carbs if they just add a sixth prepackaged meal. However, sometimes people really get used to not having to prepare their own meals and find that they like it. Having the work done for them helps them not have to worry or think about food. Basically, they get into a rhythm where the diet really clicks and works for them and they don’t want to interrupt this by having to eat a bigger meal.

I understand both concerns, as I had them myself. But here’s what I didn’t understand (but understand now). The five prepackaged foods you eat for the rest of the day are so low in calories (about 100 each for a total of 500) that you have a lot of leeway. by the time you get to this main meal. There is plenty of leeway to have a decent amount of protein (5 to 7 ounces) and some vegetables. There is no need to skimp. You can still eat fresh foods and still consume a very low amount of calories.

Using a frozen meal instead:I also get people who want to use a frozen meal like Lean Cuisine or some other brand to meet this requirement. The company claims that this is not the best idea and I have to agree. The idea is to get fresh food. And the time will come when you will have lost all the weight you need and will move into the transition or maintenance phase. One way you can set yourself up for success with this is to learn how to make good choices and prepare healthy meals. You’re going to have to master this skill over time, so you can start now.

Honestly, lean and green is not that difficult or inconvenient. You can make it as simple as using an indoor grill, adding some lean meat, and adding a bagged salad. However, you can be crafty and take advantage of the plethora of recipes out there. There is a lot of flexibility here, but it is important to understand why the requirement exists. The company wants you to eat fresh food and eventually learn how to prepare it so that you maintain weight in the long run.