WonderSlim, a brand now sold under the company DietDirect, offers meals, meal replacement alternatives, and snacks that are designed by registered dieticians and nutritionists. Each offering is created to maximize nutrition while helping customers lose weight and redefine their eating habits.
Medifast also offers a combination of meals, meal replacement shakes, and snacks designed by doctors to help people lose weight while encouraging and supporting healthy eating habits. Medifast is a more rigid weight loss program that also helps you learn how to shop and cook for yourself, without complete dependence on their products.
What both of these companies have in common is their role as a stepping stone to improving your health and adopting better habits. Medifast and WonderSlim share a lot of similarities but there are also some major differences. Here is how they compare.
WonderSlim
Pros
- 3 separate plan options, including Core, Basic, and Premium
- Plans can be customized for either men or women
- Choose 2,4, 8, or 12-week plans
- A la carte selections include meals, meal replacements, and snacks
- Meals designed by registered dieticians and nutritionists
- Includes extras like drink shakers and nutritional supplements
Cons
- The suggested six meals per day might be too much for some people
- Meal replacements and snacks contain some processed ingredients
- Difficult to access specific product information on the WonderSlim/DietDirect website
Medifast/Optavia
Pros
- Structured dietary plans designed for a range of health needs
- Special plans for diabetics, seniors, gluten-free, nursing mothers, and vegetarians
- Medifast is taking steps to eliminate unnecessary ingredients, like artificial colorings
- Printable nutritional and allergen guides easily accessible on the Medifast website
Cons
- Additional shopping, meal prep, and cooking required
- Plans are only available in 30-day packages
- Large packages can be cost-prohibitive for those on budgets
- Hefty minimum order required for free shipping
Dietary Options
WonderSlim
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Medifast/Optavia
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WonderSlim does offer options that fit in with special dietary needs. You can find dairy-free, vegetarian, sugar-free, and even some gluten-free selections. The issue is that the website and ordering platform doesn’t make it easy to find these items. Plan on taking some time to research if you have special dietary needs.
WonderSlim is a good option for people looking to follow a protein-centered dietary plan. WonderSlim isn’t Keto by any means but their meals, meal replacements, and snacks all contain a good amount of protein to help eliminate hunger and cravings.
Medifast realizes that many people who follow their nutritional plans also have additional dietary needs. From their website, you can access a printable PDF that details which of their meals/products are free of eggs, fish, shellfish, milk, lactose, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, and gluten. Vegetarian and Kosher options are also listed.
One of the downfalls with Medifast is that there aren’t many customization options once you select a plan. That said, Medifast does offer special plans for fast weight loss, slow and steady weight loss, diabetes, gluten-free, vegetarian, nursing mothers, and seniors.
Dietary Options Winner
Medifast/Optavia makes it easier for people with special dietary concerns to choose a plan that meets their needs. Their printable allergen information chart makes it even easier to ensure you’re not compromising your health with hidden ingredients.
Meal Prep & Variety
WonderSlim
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- 12 meals for 1 people
Medifast/Optavia
check - 6 Meal Plus 24+ Fuelings
- 6 (1 Box)
There’s minimum prep involved with WonderSlim products. Entrees are heat and eat, and all WonderSlim kits include a shaker bottle for easy mixing and portability of their shakes. WonderSlim products pack well and are ideal for work lunches or snacks on the go.
As far as variety is concerned, WonderSlim does a decent job of mixing things up. For example, their lunch selections include choices such as spicy pasta, sloppy joes, and a range of soups and bouillons (some of which are packaged under the brand name BariWise). WonderSlim also offers desserts, which are great if you have a bit of sweet tooth.
Medifast/Optavia is unique in that their dietary plan requires you to purchase, prep, and cook some of your meals. They do provide an easy to follow guide for choosing the components of your Lean and Green meals but this can add a layer of inconvenience for those who are hoping to avoid time in the kitchen as much as possible.
Meal Variety Winner
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Ingredients
WonderSlim
- Non-GMO
grass Organic- Grass Fed
- Wild-Caught
Medifast/Optavia
When it comes to meal replacements, it’s hard to find products that are completely free of preservatives, processing, and a few undesirable ingredients. For the most part, WonderSlim products are free of aspartame and their meal replacement options are diabetic friendly.
WonderSlim also claims that their food products are made in the United States, in FDA-inspected facilities. This is a strong selling point for many people.
Like WonderSlim, you’re going to find some processed and artificial ingredients in Medifast’s lineup. Medifast has listened to their customers, and as a result, have committed to gradually eliminating artificial coloring in their products and replacing it with natural colorants such as beet and turmeric.
Ingredients Winner
This is a category where it’s difficult to determine a winner but WonderSlim wins by a hair. While the steps Medifast is taking towards eliminating artificial colorants are great, the fact that WonderSlim is working towards eliminating aspartame in their products is even better. Also, the made in the USA and FDA seal of approval earns bonus points.
Taste & Sample Meals
WonderSlim
- Creamy Fettuccine Alfredo Pasta
- Classic Sloppy Joe Mix
- Spicy Cheese & Pasta
Medifast/Optavia
- Honey Mustard & Onion Sticks
- Smoky BBQ Crunchers
- Homestyle Chick’n Noodle Soup Mix
WonderSlim’s shakes and drinks seem to be by far the most popular and well-liked options on their menu. They do offer a good range of flavor choices, so their popularity isn’t much of a surprise. Reviews are somewhat mixed when it comes to their actual entrees.
If you’re a little apprehensive about committing because you’re worried you won’t be satisfied with the taste and quality, WonderSlim offers a solution with the option to fill in all your choices with customer favorites by clicking on a single button.
Medifast offers less actual meals because part of their platform is teaching you how to shop and cook for yourself. Their variety of snacks, drinks, and meal replacements is slightly limited compared to WonderSlim. While you can’t please everyone, Medifast appeared to have a few more negative reviews in the taste department.
Taste Winner
Because Medifast requires you to prepare and cook some of your dishes, you’re not quite as dependent on the quality of their products to carry you through. Customer reviews for Medifast are mixed concerning taste, where WonderSlim has overall more positive reviews. Many people enjoy both the company’s meals and products but there are a few that cited Medifast’s meal replacements and snacks as being inedible.
Pricing
WonderSlim
DIET PLAN | MEALS | PRICE PER SERVING |
Basic 4 Weeks | 112 | $2.77 |
Core 4 Weeks | 140 | $2.70 |
Premium 4 Weeks | 196 | $2.63 |
Medifast/Optavia
OPTAVIA ESSENTIAL KITS | SERVING PER BOX | PRICE PER MEAL |
Essential Optimal Kit (5 & 1 Plan®) | 119 | $5.99 |
Essential On-The-Go Kit (5 & 1 Plan®) | 119 | $5.99 |
Pricing with WonderSlim varies depending on the product and plan you choose. They offer a Core plan, which is essentially meal replacements and snacks only. Their Basic plan includes some meals, and their Premium plan includes all meals, snacks, and meal replacements. You also choose between 2, 4, 8, and 12-week plans.
It might seem backward but by going with the Core plan, you end up paying more per serving with just the meal replacements and snacks than you do per serving with the plans where meals are also included.
WonderSlim offers free shipping for all orders over $69 (after any discounts, excluding taxes). For orders that fall under the $69 threshold, a $7.99 flat rate shipping charge is applied.
Medifast’s kits are designed to provide 30 days worth of meals and snacks. This means there’s a hefty price tag applied to each kit due to the sheer volume of products you’re receiving. The final costs depend on which plan you choose.
Medifast Advantage customers receive free shipping on all orders over $250. For orders that are less than $250, a flat rate shipping charge of $5 applies.
Pricing Winner
WonderSlim costs somewhat less per portion and they offer 2-week plans so you don’t have to pay for an entire month’s worth of meals and snacks if you’re working with a limited budget. WonderSlim also wins bonus points for its more generous free shipping guidelines.
Packaging & Recycling
WonderSlim
Medifast/Optavia
When you order from WonderSlim your items will come packaged in a larger box. Items such as shakes, bars, and snacks will arrive in individual portions packed inside other packaging. Meals are delivered frozen with packing materials included to maintain the proper temperature.
It’s difficult to find information about recycling on WonderSlim’s website. Most packaging is recyclable, including shipping materials and the boxes that hold their products. Given the nature of WonderSlim products, you’re going to find some items (such as snack bar wrappings) that aren’t able to be recycled.
As with WonderSlim, it’s difficult to find any information regarding what packaging materials used by Medifast are made from and whether they’re recyclable. Also, like WonderSlim, some Medifast meals are delivered frozen and contain packing materials to maintain a proper temperature.
Packaging Winner
Honestly, it’s almost impossible to determine a winner here since these companies are almost identical in how they package and ship their products. Medifast wins simply because you need less packaged products for their plan over a month.
Customer Service
WonderSlim
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Medifast/Optavia
- Difficult
With WonderSlim, you choose the plan and then add selections from an a la carte menu. This is ideal from a customization perspective. WonderSlim also doesn’t operate off a subscription model, so you can cancel or suspend your shipments at any time.
WonderSlim offers a complete satisfaction guarantee. If for any reason you are unsatisfied with their products, you have 60 days to return them (no questions asked) for a full refund or exchange. Shipping charges are excluded from the refund amount. Aside from 1 open, partially used box, all products returned must be unopened.
Medifast/Optavia shows they understand their customer’s journeys by providing helpful assistance and guidance through online support. If for any reason you decide Medifast isn’t working for you, you can easily cancel or suspend your subscription.
Medifast/Optavia also offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee on their products, which can be returned within 30 days. You also have the option to refuse a shipment, however, a fee of $15 will be deducted from the refund.
Customer Service Winner
WonderSlim and Medifast/Optavia offer the same level of customer service on many levels. Medifast/Optavia wins here for the additional support they offer to their customers. They also offer a Medifast Advantage program that allows customers to earn points toward future purchases.
Winner
WonderSlim
When comparing Medifast Vs Wonderslim, they’re both great options for weight loss meals and meal replacements. WonderSlim comes out ahead here but Medifast isn’t a losing choice by any means.
WonderSlim wins because of the range of options they offer, including meals and snacks that require zero cooking and meal prep to adhere to their plan. Their plans and pricing structure are also more accessible if you’re on a budget.
Still, WonderSlim isn’t going to be the right choice for everyone. Consider this before choosing which weight loss meal delivery service is best for you.
Choose WonderSlim if you:
- You value customization and more meal replacement options
- You want easy, grab and go meal options
- You like the flexibility of 2. 4, 8, or 12-week plans
- You want a complete program that includes nutritional supplements
- You don’t want the burden of being locked into a subscription
Choose Medifast/Optavia if you:
- You want a weight loss plan that’s defined and easy to follow
- You don’t want to be overwhelmed with choices
- You have special dietary needs that you need to follow
- You’re a senior looking for healthy, light meal options
I have used both plans. Medifast used to taste good and I lost 40 pound’s on the program 10+ years ago. I have ordered once a year to maintain my weight. When the food changed to Optimum or (the new nam), it tastes nasty. I know am ordering from WonderSlim and love the taste. Hands down WonderSlim wins, taste and for sure cost!
It’s Optavia now & agreed completely on how awful their quality fuelings as their disgusting new meal replacements now called are imho.
I was on Optavia and lost 50lbs. The moment I went off their food and started to eat HALF my original normal food intake, I gained it all back. This is a story Ive heard from everyone else who does this diet too. You cant sustain on 1000 calories a day. It isn’t healthy.
Hi, I found the same thing. As with any diet plan, you only lose when you are on program. Unfortunately for me, I went back to my old habits; pizza and wings etc. Gained 25 of the 53 I lost. It’s my fault though. Going back on plan and considering wonderslim instead.
I followed the Medifast plan just before and during the transition to Optivia. I had to quit once I couldn’t get the Medifast food anymore because the Optivia food not only tastes terrible but caused me severe digestive issues. Wonder slim is cheaper and tastes much better, but I felt like the actual “plan” didn’t really exist.