The 10 Best Fasting Mimicking Diets to Try in 2023

Hey there, fellow health and wellness enthusiast! If you‘re like me, you‘re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest biohacks to optimize your well-being. And let me tell you, fasting mimicking diets are where it‘s at in 2023.

But first, let me break it down for you. A fasting mimicking diet (FMD) is a special meal program that‘s designed to give you all the amazing benefits of fasting – like reduced inflammation, better brain function, and even anti-aging effects – without making you give up food completely.

Essentially, FMDs trick your body into thinking it‘s fasting by providing very specific low-calorie, high-fat, moderate-protein meals for a period of 5 days. This gives your cells a chance to clean house, repair and regenerate themselves, and come back stronger than ever.

Studies have shown FMDs can lead to impressive results like:

• Losing an average of 5.7 pounds and 1.6 inches off the waistline
• Reducing blood pressure, cholesterol and inflammatory markers
• Lowering risk factors for cancer, diabetes and heart disease
• Improving energy, focus and skin health

Pretty rad, right? As someone who‘s always looking for ways to live healthier and age gracefully, I was super excited to try a fasting mimicking diet myself. But with so many different FMD programs out there, it can be hard to know which one is right for you.

That‘s why I‘ve done the legwork and rounded up the 10 best fasting mimicking diets I think are worth checking out this year. I‘ve personally tried several of these and scoured hundreds of reviews to bring you the real deal on taste, convenience, results and more.

So if you‘re ready to dive into the world of FMDs and experience their incredible benefits for yourself, keep reading! Your cells will thank you.

1. ProLon: The OG Fasting Mimicking Diet

When it comes to fasting mimicking diets, ProLon is the granddaddy of them all. This 5-day meal program was created by Dr. Valter Longo, a leading expert on fasting, longevity and healthy aging.

ProLon provides you with everything you need for a full 5-day FMD in one convenient box. You‘ll get soups, bars, snacks, supplements and teas for each day – all made with healthy, plant-based ingredients.

The meal plan is based on decades of scientific research showing that specific combinations of nutrients can trick your body into a fasting state and activate powerful regeneration pathways. Some of the key benefits people report from ProLon include:

• Fat loss (3-5 lbs on average)
• More energy and focus
• Better sleep
• Healthier skin and hair
• Decreased bloating and cravings

I‘ve done ProLon myself and was honestly surprised by how good I felt throughout the 5 days. The food was tasty and satisfying, and I loved the convenience of having everything planned out for me.

ProLon isn‘t the cheapest option out there at $249 per kit, but in my opinion it‘s worth it for the top-notch ingredients and carefully formulated meals. Plus, you‘re really getting 3 meals a day for 5 days, which comes out to about $17 per meal. Not bad for food that makes you look and feel amazing!

2. Fast Mimicking Diet (FMD): A ProLon Alternative

If you‘re looking for a more budget-friendly version of ProLon, the Fast Mimicking Diet (FMD) by Dr. Joseph Antoun is a great option. Dr. Antoun actually worked with Dr. Longo in the early stages of ProLon‘s development, so you know this FMD is the real deal.

The FMD meal plan is pretty much identical to ProLon‘s – you‘ll get 5 days‘ worth of dehydrated soups, nut bars, kale crackers, olives, supplements and tea. But at $150-180 per kit (depending on how many you buy), it‘s almost half the price.

Having tried both, I honestly couldn‘t tell much difference in terms of taste and satisfaction. The only real downside to FMD is that the meals require a little more prep than ProLon‘s since you have to add water to the soups. But for the cost savings, I‘m willing to spend a few extra minutes in the kitchen!

3. Fasting Bars: Taking FMD On-the-Go

Created by Dr. Longo‘s team of researchers, Fasting Bars are a quick and easy way to get the benefits of a fasting mimicking diet anytime, anywhere. They‘re literally designed to be "fasting on the go"!

Each bar contains a specific blend of micro and macronutrients that mimic the effects of fasting without the deprivation. They‘re also non-GMO, gluten-free, plant-based and absolutely delicious (my favorite flavor is Dark Cocoa Nut).

At just 200 calories per bar, you can easily incorporate them into your daily routine to support cellular cleanup, healthy blood sugar balance, and fat burning. I like to have one as an afternoon pick-me-up or post-workout snack.

A box of 10 Fast Bars costs $35, which is super reasonable considering the high-quality ingredients. And since they‘re individually wrapped, they‘re perfect for taking on plane rides, road trips or even to the office.

4. WildFast: Bringing Paleo + FMD Together

If you‘re a fan of the paleo diet, you‘ll love WildFast. This unique fasting mimicking diet combines the best of paleo principles (think: whole, unprocessed foods) with cutting-edge fasting research.

The WildFast meal plan includes nutrient-dense, low-carb dishes like:

• Grass-fed beef stew
• Wild-caught salmon
• Organic veggies
• Bone broth
• Probiotic drinks

What I love about WildFast is that it‘s not just another boring meal delivery service. The recipes are creative, flavorful and actually make you excited to eat healthy! Plus, all the ingredients are sustainably sourced and of the highest quality.

At $225 for a 5-day supply, WildFast is on the pricier side. But for me, it‘s worth it for the delicious meals and peace of mind knowing I‘m putting the best possible fuel in my body.

5. Fasting Shake: The Ultimate Meal Replacement

Fasting Shake is a nutritionally complete meal replacement designed to support fat loss, lean muscle and overall health. While not technically an FMD, it can definitely be used to mimic fasting and get many of the same benefits.

Each serving of Fasting Shake provides:

• 20g of grass-fed protein
• 5g of fiber
• Healthy fats from coconut milk and MCT oil
• A blend of greens, antioxidants and adaptogens

At just 200 calories per shake, you can easily use it to create your own fasting mimicking diet by replacing 1-2 meals per day. I like to have one for breakfast and one for lunch, then eat a sensible dinner.

The shakes come in delicious flavors like Vanilla Chai and Chocolate Bliss, and they blend up thick and creamy. Plus, they‘re so much easier than cooking when you‘re short on time or energy.

A bag of 15 servings costs $59, which is a pretty great deal for such a high-quality product. And if you subscribe, you can save an extra 10%.

6. 5-Day Cleanse: Soup-er Easy FMD

If you love the idea of a fasting mimicking diet but don‘t want to spend a ton of money on fancy meal kits, this 5-Day Cleanse from Proper Good is the perfect solution. For just $65, you get 10 delicious, ready-to-eat soups that are nutritionally similar to ProLon.

Each soup contains:

• 1-2 servings of veggies
• 10-15g plant protein
• Healthy fats from coconut, avocado or olive oil

All you have to do is heat and eat – no shopping, prepping or cooking required! And with yummy flavors like Red Pepper Meatball, Broccoli Cheddar and Butternut Squash, you won‘t even miss solid food.

To do the cleanse, just have 2 soups per day for 5 days. This gives you about 800-1000 calories per day, which is the perfect amount to mimic fasting. I like to have one soup for lunch and one for dinner, but you can space them out however works best for you.

I‘ve done this cleanse a few times now and always feel so light and energized afterwards. It‘s a great way to reset your system and give your digestive tract a break. Plus, it‘s so much easier (and cheaper) than other FMDs I‘ve tried.

7. Best of the Rest: Honorable FMD Mentions

In addition to my top 6 picks, there are a few other fasting mimicking diets that deserve a shout-out:

Prolon Alternative Soups by Proper Good – If you want the convenience of ProLon without the hefty price tag, these soups are just as good (if not better). A 5-pack costs just $35.

Optimal Wellness Cleanse – This 14-day whole foods cleanse isn‘t technically an FMD, but it shares a lot of the same principles. Expect lots of fresh juices, smoothies and plant-based meals. Plans start at $125.

ModiFast – These nutritionally complete shakes make it easy to do a DIY fasting mimicking diet. Just have 2-3 per day (400-600 calories total) to shift your body into cellular cleansing mode. An 8-shake sample pack costs $49.

Almased – Originally from Germany, this meal replacement shake has been used for over 30 years to support fasting, blood sugar balance and weight loss. A 10-serving canister costs $40.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are tons of great options when it comes to fasting mimicking diets. Whether you want the convenience of a done-for-you meal kit, the flexibility of a shake or something in between, there‘s an FMD out there for you.

The key is to find one that fits your lifestyle, budget and taste preferences. Don‘t be afraid to try a few different ones until you find your perfect match. And remember, consistency is key – the more often you do an FMD, the more benefits you‘ll see.

I hope this rundown of the best fasting mimicking diets has been helpful and inspiring. Here‘s to a healthier, happier, more youthful you in 2023!