Can't really afford Optifast? Who can...

That's not a problem. There's a cheaper alternative.

Before any nay sayers jump in about their nutritionist saying this or that I got it from the doctor's themselves.

I went in for my check up at The Hamilton Bariatric Clinic and I mentioned about how great Boost Diabetic was and the secretary interjected and said "I know the doctors were already discussing it and said it's a great alternative to Optifast."

So now you have it.. Dr. Chetty and Dr. Azzam from The Hamilton Bariatric Clinic have given the OK to substitute Optifast with Boost Diabetic.

They are made by the same company so they're very close in formulation. Boost Diabetic has less carbs and calories than Optifast.. and you don't have to use a blender or messy shaker to make it four times a day.. you just take one out of the fridge and twist off the top.

Also.. guess what else is great. The price. Optifast costs over $4 per shake. Boost Diabetic costs less than $2 a shake.

Those of you on OW or ODSP and some private medical carriers can get Boost Diabetic covered! All you need is a doctor to fill out the forms for you stating you need Boost and for what reason.

Anyone that wants to verify the information please feel free to call The Hamilton Bariatric Clinic.

I guess they're going along with the surgeons at St. Joeseph's hospital *****commend Boost Diabetic for after surgery for their patients.

They weren't the first however. Back in 2007 when I was doing the Optifast program (when it costs 3grand) Dr. Sean Wharton told all of us that we could substitute Optifast with Boost High Protein.

Just don't get confused. Ensure is different. Ensure has sugar.. which is probably why it tastes so much better with their Butter Pecan and Wildberry flavours lol

Good Luck!

This is great news! I wasn't looking forward to the opti-yuck diet for 3 weeks.
I have my class at St. Joe's this week and I will ask about the Boost Diabetic.
I really didn't want to take a shake and paraphernalia with me to work each day.

-Laurel

A friend of mine that had her surgery at St. Joe's said her sugeon recommended it Post op. I'm not sure their stand on pre op. If you tell them you can't really afford Optifast they'll likely agree.

:)

So the boost Diabetic has no sugar in it??

Is this good to drink when on the full liquid stage??

Is it good for you??  I have never heard of it

Boost Diabetic I think tastes similar to Optifast. My friend said she liked chocolate and vanilla but not strawberry. So far I've only tried the vanilla. If you get it really cold it's not too bad. I should dig out some chocolate and see how I like that. Their high protein Boost though tastes really good. So does Ensure but Ensure has sugar I believe.

Boost uses a sugar substitute just like Optifast. The same company makes both Optifast and Boost.

I do drink them myself. I buy some Ensure for my daughter and I've snuck a few of hers as well as having some Boost. I like them because I'm having a hard time getting anything in me. Everything sits so heavy unless it's fluid so I enjoy it in the morning. I don't always finish a whole one but it comforts me knowing I at least got some protein in and some vitamins and minerals.

I've gone on my own full fluid diets before using just Boost High Protein and lost weight. I told my ex and he did the same thing while he was body building. He called me a couple months later and thanked me for letting him know about Boost. He thinks he was deficient in vitamins before because he felt so much better after drinking Boost everyday. He felt like a new man. :)

 Thanks for the info.
L.

You're quite welcome :)

This might be ok for the pre surg liquid diet...might...depends if you intend to follow your surgeons orders.  My surgeon insists on Opti fast.  So I did optifast.
After surgery, I'm not so sure.  It does have 16 grms of carbs and 240 calaries. (4gm of sugar) 240 cals is a lot for one meal or partial meal as a new pre op.   Most protein shakes have < 4grams of carb and undr 200 cals.  Much better for post op.  I have always tried for shakes with over 25 gm of protein, this has 16gm.  Just my thoughts.,
Nancy

You're mistaken Boost Diabetic has 190 calories and is full of vitamins and minerals. It is made with sucralose wich is a sugar subtitute.

It has less calories and less carbs than Optifast.

Boost Diabetic: 190calories Optifast: 225
Boost Diabetic: 16 Carbs    Optifast 16.8
Boost Diabetic: 16 Protein  Optifast: 22.5

I can see exactly why the bariatric doctors suggest Diabetic Boost as a substitute. It has less calories and carbs. Both are made with sugar substitutes and are formulated by the same company (Novartis which was bought out by Nestle).

Protein shakes are different. They're just protein and no vitamins or minerals. For those that can't afford the high costs of the protein shakes or the Optifast this is a great alternative and is covered by many health plans.

This is actually I huge positive in my eyes. For those that end up getting ill after surgery because they can't afford their vitamins and protein powders this is a great alternative and for those that can't afford the high cost of Optifast before surgery.. this is a great alternative that they can potentially get for free.

Thanks for the info.  My bad!   I should learn not to surf the net and use the first info i come across.  That being said, optifast is not ment to be used after surgery,  It is a weight loss meal replacemet for those with normal anatomy, and for before WLS.  We were told not to drink it after surgery.  At nine months, and no complications,  I have one protein shake a day and eat the rest of my protein.