VLCD - Nestle Optifast Soup

The Optifast VLCD Program is a holistic, nutritionally complete weight management program designed for individuals requiring dietary management of obesity or significant weight loss.

VLCD stands for Very Low Calorie Diet. It is also known as a Very Low Energy Diet, or VLED. The program works by restricting carbohydrate and calorie intake, which safely induces mild ketosis, prompting your body to use its fat stores for energy.

What the program includes:
Nutritionally Complete Meal Replacements: Formulated products (including shakes, soups, bars, and desserts) that provide 100% of the recommended daily intake for essential vitamins, minerals, and high-quality protein.

Holistic Support & Education: Resources designed to help you build a healthier relationship with food and make sustainable, long-term lifestyle changes.

A Structured, Phased Approach: A flexible program that transitions you from total meal replacement back to healthy, everyday meals to help you maintain your body composition goals.

Important Medical Note: Because the Optifast VLCD Program is an intensive weight loss protocol, it is classified as a Food for Special Medical Purposes and must be used under the supervision of a healthcare professional (such as a GP, dietitian, or pharmacist).

It is essential to maintain adequate daily fluid intake while using this program. Optifast VLCD is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, or for use by infants, children, adolescents, and the elderly, except under medical supervision.

Optifast products are formulated with high-quality protein, essential fatty acids, and carbohydrates. They provide a nutritionally complete formula containing the essential vitamins, minerals, and trace elements the body requires to support healthy weight management and overall wellbeing.

The Optifast Program is structured around four flexible levels to help you systematically transition toward long-term weight maintenance:

1. Intensive Level (Total Diet Replacement)
Designed for rapid weight loss, this level replaces all three daily meals with three Optifast VLCD products. To ensure a balanced diet, this must be consumed in conjunction with:

• At least 2 cups of low-starch vegetables
• 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil
• At least 2 litres of water daily

Note: Fruit and dairy are excluded during this phase to safely induce mild ketosis.

2. Active 2 Level
Ideal for gradual weight loss or transitioning from the Intensive Level. On this level, you replace two meals a day with Optifast VLCD products and introduce:

• 1 healthy, calorie-controlled meal (approx. 350 calories)
• 2+ cups of low-starch vegetables
• 1 serve of fruit and 1 serve of dairy
• At least 2 litres of water daily

3. Active 1 Level
Designed for greater meal variety and steady weight loss. You replace one meal a day with an Optifast VLCD product and consume:

• 2 healthy, calorie-controlled meals (approx. 350 calories each)
• 2+ cups of low-starch vegetables
• 2 serves of fruit and 1 serve of dairy
• At least 2 litres of water daily

4. Maintenance Level
Once your weight loss goal has been accomplished, Optifast products are completely eliminated. You transition to three healthy, calorie-controlled meals per day, alongside fruit, dairy, and low-starch vegetables, helping you maintain your long-term body composition goals and lifestyle changes.

Mandatory Medical & Safety Notice: Very Low Calorie Diets (VLCDs/VLEDs) are intended for the dietary management of overweight and obesity, and should only be implemented under the recommendation and supervision of a healthcare professional.

It is essential to maintain adequate daily fluid intake (minimum 2 litres) while on this program. This product is not suitable for pregnant or lactating women, infants, children, adolescents, and the elderly, except under medical supervision.