What’s so good about NutriSystem ?
So why? Why are so many people embarking on this diet?
The NutriSystem Advanced program is all about convenience. They sell pre-packaged (heat and eat) meals from their website and ship them to your door. They have an ongoing deal that will supply one weeks free food with every 4 week order (see the free deal here). This amounts to $280 for 5 weeks food. In an age where foods are chosen according taste, price, and convenience - it should come as no surprise that NutriSystem is so popular.
Jenny Craig vs NutriSystem
Both of these diets are about pre-packaged foods and portion-controlled weight loss. Jenny Craig charges a membership fee (which requires signing a contract). NutriSystem has no such contract and membership is free. Take a look at my video post, Jenny Craig vs. Nutrisystem, where an independent reporter investigates and compares both diets.
What’s not so good?
According to one survey, the average customer stays for 9.5 weeks. This shows that NutriSystem is useful for getting back on track, but it is not a permanent answer. After finishing your stint with NutriSystem you must go back to preparing your own meals - and this is a critical time (and an issue with every on-and-off diet).
Those Ads
NutriSystem is well known for it’s advertising - particular the TV commercials. One in particular featured a customer - seen catching a bouquet at a mock wedding — wearing nothing but a bikini and high heels. Cheesy for sure - but at least the woman (37 year old Sheila Duren) was a genuine customer (via Businessweek).
Diet and Nutritional Aspects
The NutriSystem diet is based around the glycemic index. They have options for men, women, diabetics, and vegetarians. Typical daily calorie amounts will vary from 1200 to 1500, and each days food consists of 3 meals and 2 snacks. The macro-nutrient ratios are approximately 55% carbohydrates, 25% protein and 20% fats. The have 2 additional programs for women and men over 60 - the only difference here is the addition of one months supply of a multivitamin-mineral.
So… will you lose weight?
Strictly follow a 1200-1500 calorie diet - such as NutriSystem , and most people will lose weight. It’s a simple formula of reducing energy intake. How long the weight loss will continue is something that cannot be easily answered. This is the same with virtually every diet - you reach a plateau and something will need to change (changing exercise patterns, lifting weights, changing nutrient ratios, etc.). However an appraisal of most opinion sites on the web show that people definitely lose weight with NutriSystem.
Hi, I'm a dietitian with experience in hundreds of weight loss programs and fad diets. When forming my list of the
Hi, I enjoyed your article and agree that NutriSystem (which I have been on for five months) is the best. However, there is an error in your write up:
“They have an ongoing deal that will supply one weeks free food with every 4 week order (see the free deal here). This amounts to $280 for 5 weeks food.”
This is incorrect. While there is a promotion for a free week’s worth of food with a four week purchase, it’s a one time deal to sign up new members. After that, you get 4 weeks at a time.
Also, while it sounds fairly accurate to me that the majority of people stay with NS for 9 weeks, a LOT of people end up sticking to the plan using their own foods to prepare meals equivalent to the packaged NS items. Check the message boards on the site - you’ll find plenty of postings regarding this.
Otherwise a great article.
WOW for NutriSystem! This is my 9th day and I have lost 10 lbs. I follow the plan and have cheated everyday…but only between breakfast and lunch ( longtime to me….however, I cheated with something they recommend on the diet, and even with cheating (sometimes you just need something) I used portion control (ironic. Overall, I am pleased, but this following week I have been told is the week that I will perhaps start to see the results in my waistline. My mother told already after the 10th day that my waist looked smaller.
Also, I excerise everyday for 30 mins. which probably helps, and builds muscle. We all know that muscle weighs more than fat. I love this diet and have so much energy. The food is great for a prepackaged dioet. The people who are saying that it is horrible are sadly mistaken if they think they are going to get gourmet food shipped to them at only $270 a month. Also, The diet really is not that expensive. Think about how much you spend on groceries a month, plus going to fast food places, plus your morning latte, plus some Haggen-Daas(however you spell it)etc. You spend on average about 400 amonth on food alone and dont even notice it. It is the paying up front that throws people off. But, then again, I am single, working, living with my parents rent-free for the summer. Anyway, my plan is to lose 30lbs before I return to college, and at 10 lbs in 9 days, I think I may hit they goal pretty soon. My total goal is to lose 80 lbs.
Good Luck Everyone, and give NutriSystem a shot if you are on the fence trying to make a decision!!!
I noticed a lot of people talking about nutrisystem on here. If anyone is thinking of doing it, I am here to tell you that you should go for it! I’m into the my 3rd week right now and have lost 18 pounds. I have pretty much stayed strictly on the diet, I have only eaten twice different from the nutrisystem diet (example, one dinner I was at a baseball game so I had half a hot dog and a beer and memorial day for lunch I had a small hamburger (with lettuce and tablespoon of ketchup)with a deviled egg and some pasta salad)
I’m not a picky eater, so other then the chicken noodle soup (too thick) and turkey hot dogs (DO NOT GET) the food has been delicious!
If anyone is thinking of starting and would like a little discount, I can send out referral coupons for $30 off your initial order - email me at wmich12@yahoo.com and I’ll send out a coupon!
Good luck to everyone!
Matt