Noom vs. BistroMD - Is This Meal Delivery Service Effective?

Noom vs. BistroMD – Noom is the weight management app that Millennials swear by for weight loss, and BistroMD is a meal delivery plan with thousands of rave reviews. Which program will work better for you? We’re here to give you the facts on these two popular weight-loss plans to decide for yourself.

What is Noom?

Noom streamlines a groundbreaking weight-loss program into a user-friendly app. Through education, food categorization, and fitness tracking, Noom uses behavioral psychology principles to change the way users think about food.

Instead of telling users what they can and can’t eat, Noom encourages changes that promote permanent weight loss while still allowing people to enjoy their favorite meals.

It has long been said that moderation is the key to maintaining a trim figure, but what exactly does that mean? Noom simplifies a confusing process by grouping millions of foods into three categories. You can eat your fill of low-calorie foods, enjoy healthy portions of diet staples, and indulge in your favorite snacks without ruining your diet.

Noom also provides fitness tracking, interactive quizzes, and a personal support coach to keep you motivated and informed.

You have nothing to lose by giving Noom a try today with the free trial offer available to Dietspotlight readers.

What is BistroMD?

BistroMD is a frozen meal delivery service. The program revolves around the premise that metabolic dysfunction is the leading cause of obesity. Chemical processes that occur in the human body can affect the way the metabolism functions.

Caroline J. Cederquist, the founder of BistroMD, believes that metabolic dysfunction is more common than previously thought. Dr. Cedarquist designed BistroMD to correct hormonal imbalances. Correcting these imbalances may improve the ability to lose weight and prevent future weight gain.

BistroMD offers several programs that include:

• Men’s Weight Loss Program
• Women’s Weight Loss program
• Healthy Heart Meal Plan
• Gluten-free Meal Plan
• Diabetic Meal Plan
• Menopause Program

BistroMD does not offer programs that work with a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle.

Noom vs. Bistro MD – Company History

Brief History of Noom

Noom got its start as WorkSmart Labs in 2008. The company, founded in NYC, spent more than eight years developing the app that would become a weapon against the obesity epidemic.

During the development phase, WorkSmart Labs was rebranded as Noom. The name is derived from the word “moon.” For centuries, the moon has provided light in an otherwise dark night sky. Noom’s founders wanted their program to be a beacon for people who wanted to lose weight but didn’t know where to start.

Noom’s Healthy Weight Program went live in 2016, upon the release of the Noom app. In 2019, Noom launched the Diabetes Prevention Program after partnering with Novo Nordisk, a global healthcare leader.

Noom has successfully completed multiple funding rounds and garnered investors’ attention, including Samsung, the co-founder of What’s App, and Sequoia Capital.

Noom has expanded rapidly over the last four years. The company boasts a customer base of more than 50 million users and has several offices worldwide.

Brief History of BistroMD

In 2005, a Florida physician realized that her patients were struggling to lose weight because they didn’t have the time or skill it takes to prepare nutritious meals at home. Multiple meal delivery services offered weight-loss plans, but the quality and taste of the meals left something to be desired. That’s when BistroMD was born.

BistroMD sources all ingredients from local farmers and food vendors. The company offers more than 100 seasonal meals that are as nutritious as they are delicious.

Noom vs. BistroMD – Who’s Behind the Plans?

Who Created Noom?

Noom has two founders: Saeju Jeong and Artem Petakov. Jeong came to the United States from South Korea, and Petakov is an immigrant from Ukraine. Jeong, an electrical engineer, and Petakov, a computer scientist, never thought they would be part of a company that changed how the world looked at weight loss, but that’s precisely what happened.

After graduating from Hongik University, Saeju Jeong was asked to serve as a board member at a South Korean hospital. The hospital was interested in the ways technology can be used in medicine. After seeing the burden that obesity puts on healthcare systems around the world, Jeong knew he needed to find a solution.

Artem Petakov is well known for his contributions to Microsoft and Google Maps. Still, he also became interested in psychology while studying at Princeton University. When he met Jeong, the two men realized that psychology could be the answer that the weight-loss industry was looking for.

Petakov and Jeong handled the technical aspects of the Noom app, and they hired renowned psychologists, physicians, personal trainers, and nutritionists to develop the Noom protocol.

Who Created BistroMD?

Dr. Caroline J. Cederquist is the founder and medical advisor of BistroMD. Dr. Cederquist is one of only 250 physicians that are board-certified in bariatric medicine. She studied at the University of Miami School of Medicine and later opened the Naples, Florida Cederquist Medical Wellness Center. Dr. Cedarquist specializes in nutrition and metabolism.

Dr. Cederquist’s husband, Ed, is the co-founder of BistroMD. Ed is a self-professed “foodie” and handles the BistroMD menu planning.

Noom vs. BistroMD – The Rules

Rules of Noom

Rules are one of the main reasons that most diets fail. People quickly lose motivation when they’re expected to follow a strict weight-loss plan. That’s why Noom uses a different approach. Instead of telling you what to eat, Noom rates the foods you eat daily.

Over time, you’ll be encouraged to incorporate more healthy foods and fewer junk foods. These gradual changes allow time for permanent habits to form. Many Noom reviews call weight loss with Noom “effortless.” It’s because Noom changes the way the pathways in your brain work.

Food Logging

The first step when you register for Noom is determining your daily calorie goal. Your daily goal is the number of calories you can eat in a day. It is calculated based on your height, current weight, target weight, and an average level of daily physical activity.

The Noom app counts calories for you. All you have to do is enter the foods you eat or scan the barcode on the food’s package with your smartphone. Noom will tell you whether the food is classified as green, yellow, or red.

Much like a traffic light, you can go ahead and eat green foods. Yellow foods should be approached with caution. Stop and think about your calorie goal before you eat red foods.

Fitness Tracking

Physical activity is excellent for your cardiovascular health. It also improves your mood and helps you sleep better at night. With Noom, there’s an added bonus associated with exercise. Noom adds half of the calories you burn to your daily calorie goal.

Let’s say you’re going to see a movie this weekend, and you really loved buttered popcorn. Most diets would tell you to munch on some carrot sticks and tell yourself that you don’t need to order popcorn. Noom users can go for a jog or spend time at the gym the morning before going to the movies.

You’ll enjoy delicious movie theater popcorn with zero guilt, and you’ll still lose weight. Over time, this process creates a positive association with physical activity.

Education and Quizzes

Noom users who want to get the most out of the Noom experience spend 10-15 minutes a day learning about their health, mental wellbeing, nutrition, and exercise. Multiple studies show that people who understand how and why their diet works are much less likely to regain the weight they’ve lost in the future.

Learn more about the clinically-proven weight-loss app Noom with the free trial offer available today!

Rules of BistroMD

BistroMD takes the guesswork out of meal planning. Users choose whether they’d like to receive a five-day or seven-day meal plan each week. The meals are shipped directly to your home, and there is no meal prep involved. These are “heat-and-eat” frozen meals.

Men’s Weight Loss Program

The BistroMD Men’s Weight Loss Program provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner entrees. Men can also enjoy a “My Night.” A My Night is one meal a week where users can take a break from the BistroMD protocol. This program is designed to improve your metabolic rate for permanent weight loss.

Women’s Weight Loss Program

BistroMD’s Women’s Weight Loss Program is designed for a daily calorie intake of 1,100 and 1,400 calories. The program is designed to reduce cravings, correct your metabolism, foster weight loss, and improve your overall health and quality of life.

Participants will receive frozen breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. BistroMD also provides healthy snacks for an additional fee. The Women’s Weight Loss Program allows for two healthy snacks per day.

Heart-Healthy Meal Plan

The Heart-Healthy Meal Plan provides meals that are low in saturated fat, total fat, sodium, and calories. All meals meet the American Heart Association’s guidelines for a heart-healthy diet.

Gluten-Free Meal Plan

BistroMD’s Gluten-Free Meal Plan offers meals that meet the FDA’s standards for a gluten-free diet.

Diabetic Meal Plan

The Diabetic Meal Plan is designed to maintain healthy blood glucose levels. These meals have less than 25 grams of carbohydrates and contain a healthy amount of protein.

Menopause Program

Hormonal changes can make weight loss difficult. BistroMD’s Menopause Program offers carefully curated meals to provide the proper amount of macronutrients while preventing overeating.

Noom vs. Bistro MD – Eating Plans

The Noom Eating Plan

What foods are included in the Noom eating plan? Pretty much every food you’ve ever eaten. The Noom database contains over three million foods and beverages. With portion control and a little planning, you don’t have to deprive yourself of the foods you enjoy.

Green Food List

The green food category contains fruits, vegetables, and some forms of lean protein. These foods are all low-calorie options, so you can eat more compared to calorie-dense foods. At least 30% of your daily calories should be from green foods.

Here’s a small sample of the foods found in the green food group.

• Brown rice
• Egg whites
• Skim milk
• Oranges
• Apples
• Bananas
• Berries
• Melons
• Cherries
• Plums
• Peaches
• Salad greens
• Spinach
• Broccoli
• Yogurt (zero-fat)
• Corn
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Zero-sugar beverages
• Onions

Yellow Food List

Yellow foods are often high in protein, but they contain more calories than green foods. Forty percent of your daily calories should come from yellow foods. Portion controlled plates or containers can prevent overeating.

• Lean meats (pork, beef, lamb)
• Chicken (grilled)
• Salmon
• Tuna
• Turkey breast
• Yogurt
• Black beans
• Coffee
• Pasta
• Hummus
• Quiche
• Quinoa
• Olives

Red Food List

Red foods are the foods that are banned from almost every other diet. You can still eat red foods with Noom, but they should only make up a small percent of your daily calories.

• Pizza
• Burgers
• French fries
• Red Meat
• Mayonnaise
• Ranch dressing
• Chocolate
• Protein bars
• Cake
• Chips
• Candy
• Soda
• Wine
• Sugary sports drinks
• Salami
• Ham
• Whole milk
• Fried chicken
• Highly processed foods
• Fried foods

The BistroMD Eating Plan

The BistroMD eating plan is simple: You eat the meals that are delivered to your home. BistroMD dieticians will work with clients to meet specific requests or requirements, but only if they can do so in a way that will still help you achieve your weight-loss goals.

BistroMD users can log on and enter their dietary preferences and preview the coming week’s meal plan.

BistroMD Breakfast Entrees

• Spinach, artichoke, and roasted red pepper frittata
• Bagel with egg, caramelized onions, Swiss cheese and mushrooms
• Italian omelet
• Swiss omelet with Canadian bacon
• Waffles with strawberry compote
• Caramelized onion and mushroom frittata
• Scrambled eggs and apple cinnamon oatmeal
• Bagel with roast beef, egg, and pepper jack cheese
• Scrambled eggs with a waffle and maple syrup

BistroMD Lunch and Dinner Entrees

• Pork tenderloin with mushroom Marsala
• Salmon with mustard dill sauce
• Lasagna with garden vegetables
• Beef and barley in a red wine sauce
• Honey bourbon-glazed meatloaf
• Blackened chicken with a smoked paprika sauce
• Vodka marinara manicotti
• Hickory smoked pork barbecue and broccoli
• Tilapia

BistroMD Snacks

• Cranberry grape juice
• Chocolate cherry protein bars
• Very Berry Boost
• Nuts and chocolate
• Dark chocolate and coconut protein bar

Noom vs. BistroMD – Plan Duration

How Long Does Noom Last?

Noom’s signature Healthy Weight Program is a four-month-long plan – at the minimum. If the user has more weight to lose than can safely be lost in just 16 weeks, the suggested plan will be longer.

The Diabetes Prevention Program is an intensive eight-month program. Clinical research shows that Noom is also effective for maintaining a healthy weight, so you can continue using it long after you’ve completed your selected program.

How Long Does BistroMD Last?

According to the BistroMD website, you can eat these frozen entrees for the rest of your life. Many users opt to use the BistroMD program until they lose their desired amount of weight. Unfortunately, BistroMD does not offer a weight maintenance program at this time.

Significant Differences Between Noom and Beachbody on Demand

Are you still unsure about which program is right for you? We’ve compared both programs to give you a breakdown of the main difference between the two programs.

Meal Restrictions

BistroMD does all of your meal planning and prep for you. This is great for busy individuals, but isn’t variety the spice of life? Noom has a database of millions of foods, and the database is growing every day.

Support

Both programs offer individual support. Noom coaches are trained health and wellness specialists that act as your personal cheerleader, fitness guide, and nutrition expert. BistroMD coaches are registered dieticians that provide information on diet and nutrition.

Fitness

BistroMD encourages exercise. Noom provides a fitness tracker and adds half of the calories you burn to your daily calorie goal to give you a more personalized experience.

Educational Resources

BistroMD tells you what to eat. Noom teaches you how to make healthy choices that lead to an improved quality of life.

Sustainability

BistroMD works for weight loss while you’re following the program. The knowledge you gain while following the Noom protocol lasts a lifetime.

We think Noom is an amazing program that sets the standard for advanced weight-loss solutions. Check out the free trial offer available today!

Can You Follow BistroMD on Noom?

Noom and BistroMD are compatible. BistroMD meals are prepared by chefs and shipped to your home. Calories and nutrition facts are already calculated in advance. You can simply add these meals into your food tracker as usual.

However, Noom is more of an all-around lifestyle change program, so you don’t need a meal delivery service to lose weight.

Possible Side Effects of Noom vs. Bistro MD

Side effects are never a concern with the Noom dietary plans. Changing your diet abruptly can cause gastrointestinal discomfort. Still, we don’t expect the BistroMD diet to cause any severe side effects.

Noom vs. BistroMD – The Research

Clinical Research on Noom

We know that Noom is effective because Noom provides clinical research to back up its claims.

One clinical study followed over 34,000 individuals while they used Noom for weight loss. Researchers found that just under 80% of the participants lost a measurable amount of weight. At the end of nine months, the majority of those participants had kept the weight off. Many continued to lose weight. The study was formally published in Scientific Reports upon completion.

Noom is a gradual weight-loss program, but that doesn’t mean that users don’t see fast results. Research published in Obesity Research and Clinical Practice demonstrates that the average Noom user loses 2 body mass index points in the first three weeks on the program.

The founders of Noom set out to create a weight-loss plan that is sustainable over time. One study followed individuals that lost weight on Noom to determine whether the participants were able to keep the weight off. The clinical study reviewed in Metabolic Syndromes and Related Diseases found that Noom is effective for weight maintenance.

Clinical Research on BistroMD

BistroMD does not provide clinical research to support its claims, so we investigated the science surrounding similar weight-loss programs.

BistroMD meals are high in protein and low in calories. Research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that increasing your daily protein intake can reduce hunger.

There is evidence that meal delivery systems may be an effective means of weight control. A randomized controlled trial published in Lancet found that people who follow the Weight Watchers protocol lose more weight than participants who prepared their own meals without any additional support. However, this does not mean BistroMD is effective.

The Facts About Noom vs. BistroMD

Quick Facts on Noom

• Utilizes artificial intelligence and smartphone technologies to promote positive behaviors.
• Backed by thousands of hours of clinical research.
• Offers a two-week free trial.
• Noom won’t force you to eat specific foods.
• Provides users with an unprecedented level of support.

Quick Facts on BistroMD

• BistroMD is a frozen meal delivery service.
• Founded by a physician and her husband.
• Believes controlling hormones through diet is the key to weight loss.
• Offers plans based on gender, dietary restrictions, and known medical conditions.
• Does not offer options for vegetarians and vegans.
• Does not offer a fitness plan.

Bottom Line on Noom Vs. BistroMD

BistroMD and Noom could not be more different. Noom strives to help users make lifestyle changes that lead to sustainable weight loss. BistroMD supports weight loss through diet alone.

BistroMD is not your average meal delivery plan. Clients love the chef-prepared meals, and BistroMD is often ranked as the best-tasting frozen meal delivery service. However, we believe that Noom ‘s well-rounded approach to weight loss is the clear winner here.

For those of you who want to give this new technology a try – you can download the Noom app for a free trial offer for a limited time – just because you’re a Dietspotlight reader.

Noom vs. BistroMD Questions and Answers

What exactly is Noom?

Noom is a weight-loss program based on calorie density and the impact of psychological changes on behavior patterns.

What do you eat on Noom?

On Noom you eat whatever you like. Green foods are the go-to foods as they provide the least number of calories for the largest serving. Yellow foods make up most of your diet and include your daily protein intake. Red foods are to be consumed in moderation with caution paid to serving sizes as these are high-fat, high-calorie, low-nutrition foods.

Is Noom just calorie counting?

Absolutely not. Noom is about teaching you how to make healthier lifestyle choices that just so happen to lead to weight loss because you’re choosing better foods, watching portion control and learning how to deal with life’s struggles without turning to food.

Does Weight Watchers own Noom?

No, there is no affiliation between Weight Watchers (WW) and Noom.

Is there a free version of Noom?

Noom is available with a free trial offer.

How much does Noom cost?

Noom subscribers have several options when choosing the program. Pricing is $59 a month, on a month-to-month, recurring basis. There are several packages to choose from that can lower that monthly rate.

2-Month Package: $99
3-Month Package: $129
4-Month Package: $139
5-Month Package: $149
6-Month Package: $159
7-Month Package: $169
8-Month Package: $179
12-Month Package: $199

How long does Noom last?

The Noom program lasts a minimum of 16 weeks. If you have more weight to lose than can safely be lost in four months, a longer program will be suggested.

Noom also works as a weight maintenance program, so you can stay subscribed after reaching your goal for continued support.

Can you cancel Noom at any time?

Yes, you can cancel Noom at any time. You will not be charged for your next subscription, as long as the cancellation is processed within the required frame prior to renewal.