How to Cancel OPTAVIA in 2026

Updated February 2026 • 7 min read

OPTAVIA (owned by Medifast) costs $350-450/month for their "Optimal Weight 5&1 Plan" — prepackaged meal replacements called "Fuelings." That is $4,200-5,400/year. OPTAVIA is also a multi-level marketing (MLM) company, which means your "coach" has a financial incentive to keep you subscribed. Here is how to cancel despite that pressure.

Cancel by Phone

1. Call 1-888-OPTAVIA (1-888-678-2842)
2. Tell the representative you want to cancel your subscription/auto-orders
3. They may offer discounts or try to transfer you to your coach — decline
4. Confirm cancellation and get a confirmation number
5. Request email confirmation

Cancel Online

1. Log into optavia.com/account
2. Go to your subscription or auto-order settings
3. Cancel the recurring order
4. Confirm cancellation

Phone is more reliable — the online cancellation does not always stick for some users. Always follow up with a phone call if you cancel online.

Dealing With Coach Pressure

This is the unique challenge with OPTAVIA. Your coach is an independent distributor who earns commissions on your orders. When you try to cancel, expect:

• "Are you sure? Let me help you adjust your plan" — they want to keep you ordering
• "You will regain the weight" — emotional pressure to stay
• Guilt about "giving up" — framing cancellation as personal failure
• Texts and calls after canceling — some coaches continue reaching out

You do not owe your coach an explanation. Cancel through OPTAVIA directly (the company, not the coach). If the coach continues contacting you after canceling, you can block them or ask them to stop.

The MLM Reality

OPTAVIA is a multi-level marketing company. Your coach earns commissions on your purchases, and their income depends on keeping customers subscribed. According to OPTAVIA's own income disclosure, 68% of coaches earned zero commission in their most recent reporting period. This is important context for understanding why coaches are so persistent about retention — their income literally depends on it.

What OPTAVIA Costs vs. Alternatives

• OPTAVIA 5&1: ~$400/month (Fuelings only — you still buy "Lean & Green" ingredients)
• SlimFast: ~$60/month (similar meal replacement concept)
• Premier Protein shakes: ~$45/month from Costco
• Grocery store meal prep: ~$200-300/month for a complete calorie-controlled diet
• Noom ($16/mo): Behavioral coaching without meal replacements
• Free: MyFitnessPal calorie tracking + meal prep = $0 beyond groceries

Returning Unused Product

OPTAVIA has a 30-day return policy on unopened product. If you have boxes of Fuelings you have not opened, call customer service about a return for credit. After 30 days, returns are at OPTAVIA's discretion. Donate what you cannot return — food banks accept sealed packaged food.

The Bottom Line

Cancel OPTAVIA by calling 1-888-OPTAVIA directly — not through your coach. You do not need to justify your decision. The weight loss from OPTAVIA comes from calorie restriction, which you can achieve for $0-60/month with calorie tracking and basic meal prep. Save the $350+ monthly difference.