Noom vs. VShred - Which of These Programs Works Best?

Noom vs. VShred – what do the psych-based weight loss app and a fitness and diet program have in common? Our researchers dug deep to give you all the details so you can see for yourself.

Check out the bottom line to decide if the latest in weight-loss technology is best for you?

What is Noom?

Noom is a modern take on traditional weight loss apps. Noom provides users with personal coaching, tools to track their progress, a personalized diet plan and educational materials to ensure that they achieve permanent weight loss.

Unlike any other program available today – Noom uses psychology to help the user build a new foundation of habits that naturally promote weight loss. It’s the WHY behind the changes you’re making that empower you. Noom tells you WHY.

The entire program works through the app, but your program is personalized based on a detailed questionnaire and more than four million data points collected from successful people who’ve lost weight using Noom.

What is VShred?

VShred is an online diet and fitness company that provides customized plans. VShred also sells supplements to help you achieve the “body you’ve been dreaming of.” The company offers programs for women, men, and teenagers.

VShred members are assigned a customized diet plan. They also have access to hundreds of workouts through the website. They offer free workouts on their YouTube channel.

Noom vs. VShred – History

Brief History of Noom

Noom was founded in 2008, in New York City. After the launch of the Noom app in 2016, over 50 million people subscribed to a healthier lifestyle through technology. Noom now has offices in New York City and Tokyo, Japan.

Noom has raised millions from investors in several rounds of fundraising. Both Sequoia Capital and Samsung are invested in the company.

The CDC has recognized Noom as an approved lifestyle program.

You can check out Noom for a free trial today!

Brief History of VShred

VShred was launched in 2017, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The company now claims to have more than 12 million unique monthly visitors to its website, 740,000 YouTube subscribers, 40,000 VShred University members, and clients in 120 countries.

VShred may have an online presence, but not everyone is a fan of the company. In 2018, the Better Business Bureau opened an investigation into the company regarding misleading advertising claims and fraudulent credit card activity. he investigation is ongoing, and 186 complaints have been recorded to date.

Noom vs. VShred – Who’s Behind the Plan?

Who Created Noom?

Best friends Artem Petakov and Saeju Jeong realized that the obesity epidemic was a growing threat to the global population. The two technology experts joined forces with physicians, psychologists, personal trainers, and nutritionists to develop a science-based weight management app.

Petakov, a computer scientist, was born in Ukraine, educated at Princeton, and previously employed by Google and Microsoft.

Jeong, an electrical engineer, was born in South Korea, educated at Hongik University, and serves as a member of the board at the largest private hospital in Seoul, South Korea.

Who Created VShred?

According to the VShred website, there were four founding members. M. Nicholas Daniel is listed as the company’s business partner. Vince Sant, a fitness author and Instagram influencer, is a co-founder of VShred and SCULPTnation. No other information is available about the people behind the company.

Noom vs. VShred – The Rules

Rules of Noom

With Noom, you can say goodbye to the strict rules that make other diets unsustainable. Noom is a behavior-based lifestyle program that gradually changes the way you make dietary choices and promotes a healthy physical activity level.

1. Education

Some diets only help you lose weight temporarily. Noom strives to build an education-based foundation that will help you permanently maintain a healthy weight. In just ten minutes each day, you’ll learn about cognition and food, ending unhealthy behaviors, managing stress, improving the quality of sleep, and understanding nutrition.

2. Food Logging

Noom utilizes food grouping for weight loss. Categorizing foods into groups based on their nutritional value is not a new weight-loss technique. Still, Noom found a way to make the process more accessible than ever before.

3. Green Foods

Green foods are the healthiest part of your diet. While following the Noom program, you’ll gradually replace foods from the red and yellow groups with green foods. These smart substitutions will help you achieve sustainable weight loss.

Fruits:

• Blueberries
• Watermelon
• Apples
• Strawberries
• Bananas

Vegetables:

• Tomatoes
• Salad greens
• Cucumbers
• Carrots
• Onions
• Spinach

Starches:

• Parsnips
• Beets
• Sweet potatoes
• Squash

Dairy:

• Non-fat Greek yogurt
• Milk (skim)
• Non-fat cheese sticks
• Non-fat yogurt

Dairy alternatives:

• Soy milk
• Cashew milk
• Unsweetened almond milk

Grains:

• Whole-grain pasta
• Whole-grain breads and pitas
• Brown rice
• Whole-grain tortillas
• Oatmeal

Condiments:

• Light mayonnaise
• Ketchup
• Marinara
• Salsa
• Sauerkraut

Beverages:

• Unsweetened tea
• Unsweetened coffee

4. Yellow Foods

Around 45% of your diet will be made up of yellow foods on the Noom eating plan. These foods have a high nutritional value, but they also contain some unhealthy fats and added sugars. Yellow means caution, and you should always check the nutrition facts of yellow foods when you’re planning your meals.

Meats:

• Grilled chicken
• Grilled turkey
• Lean pork cuts
• Lean beef cuts
• Lean lamb cuts

Seafood:

• Salmon
• Tilapia
• Scallops
• Tuna

Dairy:

• Low-fat milk
• Low-fat cheese
• Low-fat cottage cheese
• Greek yogurt

Legumes and seeds:

• Quinoa
• Soy beans
• Chickpeas
• Peas
• Lentils
• Black beans

Grains:

• Couscous
• White rice
• White bread
• White pasta

Beverages:

• Diet soda
• Light beer

5. Red Foods

Red foods are high in fat, preservatives, and added sugars. They offer little nutritional value compared to green and yellow foods. Don’t let the red food list intimidate you. You can still enjoy your favorite foods that are on this list. Just try not to overdo it.

Meats:

• Sausage
• Bacon
• Hot dogs
• Ham
• Burgers
• Spam
• All fried meats

Nut Butters and Nuts:

• Almonds
• Walnuts
• Almond butter
• Peanut butter

Desserts:

• Chocolate
• Donuts
• Cookies
• Brownies
• Cakes

Condiments:

• Mayonnaise
• Regular salad dressings
• Oil
• Butter

Beverages:

• Wine
• Juice (except sugar-free)

6. Fitness Tracking

Fitness trackers are notoriously ineffective, and the fitness trackers are not to blame. When you’re working out, it probably seems like you’re pushing yourself harder and longer than you are. It’s not just you. Studies show that most users overestimate their physical activity. Noom found a solution to a common problem.

Noom users fill out a questionnaire when they first sign up for the program. Noom uses this information to assign a daily calorie goal. An average calorie goal for a female is 1,500 calories per day.

Let’s say you burn 250 calories on Monday. Noom will add half of those calories to your daily calorie goal. You can now eat 1,625 calories on Monday. The missing 125 calories account for human error. Users who correctly track their physical activity will lose weight faster because of the buffer.

You can eat any of the foods you like on Noom and still lose weight – get your free trial offer to see for yourself.

Rules of VShred

All VShred programs have three rules:

• Challenge yourself through physical activity, but have fun while you’re doing it.
• All meal recipes must be easy to follow and enjoyable to eat. Otherwise, it won’t be sustainable.
• Supplements are encouraged to boost fat loss and build muscle.

The VShred supplement line includes:

• SCULPTnation Burn
• SCULPTnation Burn PM
• SCULPTnation HGH Boost
• SCULPTnation Turmeric
• SCULPTnation Greens
• SCULPTnation PREworkout
• SCULPTnation POSTworkout
• SCULPTnation Protein Powder
• SCULPTnation BCAAs
• Neuroctane

Noom vs. VShred – Eating Plans

The Noom Eating Plan

The Noom app groups foods into three categories: green, yellow, and red. The categories are based on a traffic light system. Green foods are your healthy go-to menu items. Yellow foods are nutritious, but be careful to eat too many fats or carbs. Red foods are treats that you can enjoy a few times a week.

If you’re not sure how to approach the Noom eating plan, your coach will provide valuable insight and nutrition tips to help you along the way. You are never alone when you subscribe to Noom.

Take a look at a 5-day Noom sample menu:

Day One

• Breakfast: yogurt parfait with fresh fruit
• Lunch: garden salad
• Dinner: grilled turkey breast with steamed vegetables
• Snack: lemon water and almonds

Day Two

• Breakfast: oatmeal with fresh strawberries and bananas
• Lunch: beef and barley soup
• Dinner: salmon and wild rice
• Snack: apple with almond butter

Day Three

• Breakfast: hard-boiled eggs
• Lunch: tacos made from turkey and low-fat cheese
• Dinner: seafood salad
• Snack: fruit with a cream cheese dipping sauce

Day Four

• Breakfast: protein shake
• Lunch: tuna salad and pita bread
• Dinner: chickpea stew
• Snack: one chocolate cupcake

Day Five

• Breakfast: omelet with fresh veggies
• Lunch: a wrap made with chicken, apples and avocado
• Dinner: veggie frittata
• Snack: berry salad

The VShred Eating Plan

The VShred eating plan is based around a 1,200 calorie allowance. Here are some examples of what you’ll be eating on the VShred diet:

Breakfast:

• Stuffed bell peppers
• Egg white muffin
• Protein pancakes with pumpkin spice
• Flax seed, chia, and berry yogurt
• Egg and avocado pizza

Beverages:

• Green tea
• Celery smoothie
• Coconut smoothie
• Apple cider vinegar smoothie with papaya
• Black coffee with dark chocolate and flax seeds
• Fruit and berry smoothies
• Mint tea

Lunch:

• Chickpea salads
• Chicken salad sandwiches
• Meat and vegetable rollups
• Chickpea and avocado tuna salad
• Thai pad chicken

Dinner:

• Chicken and veggie stir-fry
• Tilapia and steamed veggies
• Cauliflower chowder
• Lettuce lasagna rolls
• Cabbage rolls stuffed with mushrooms
• Burrito bowls

Desserts

• Apple cookies
• Peanut butter and banana smudgies
• Frozen yogurt and berry bites
• Greek yogurt with fresh fruit
• Avocado mousse

Snacks

• Almonds
• Avocado bowls
• Apple nachos
• Gluten-free cookies
• Baked chips made from zucchini

All VShred recipes are available on their blog.

Noom vs. VShred – Plan Duration

How Long Does Noom Last?

The Noom Healthy Weight Program lasts for a minimum of 16 weeks. The Diabetes Prevention Program is eight weeks longer than the Healthy Weight Program at 24 weeks. Users can continue using the Noom app to maintain a healthy weight after they hit their target goal.

A monthly Noom subscription will cost you $59. If you want to same some serious cash, consider purchasing an annual subscription. The yearly membership equates to $17 a month.

How Long Does VShred Last?

VShred users can choose between an eight-week and a 12 week-program.

A customized diet and training plan will cost you $149. You can add the Ripped in 90 Days program for $47, the Six-Pack Shred program for $20, or the Booty Builder for $35. VShred programs are not refundable.

Significant Differences Between Noom and VShred

When we compared both of these programs, the significant difference that stuck out to us was how weight loss was approached. VShred feels more like a fitness program than a weight-loss plan. Even the official website looks more fitness-based. We also love that Noom uses psychology to help users learn new habits for lasting results – no other app does that.

Can You Follow VShred on Noom?

You bet you can use the VShred program and the Noom app at the same time. You will need to manually track and log your food and exercise daily on both apps.

Noom is available as a free trial offer for Dietspotlight readers today!

Possible Side Effects of Noom vs. VShred

Noom users do not report experiencing any side effects when they followed either program. There are no strict dietary rules or untested supplements associated with Noom, so side effects aren’t a concern. The Healthy Weight Program and the Diabetes Prevention Program are proven to be safe and effective for weight management.

The most commonly occurring side effects associated with VShred have to do with the company’s supplement line. These supplements are unregulated, and the following side effects have been reported:

• Dizziness
• Heartburn
• Diarrhea
• Indigestion
• Constipation
• Mood swings
• Nausea

Some users have also reported physical injuries associated with the VShred workouts.

Noom vs. VShred – The Research

Clinical Research on Noom

Noom combines the results of decades of scientific research into an easy-to-use app. During an eight-year research and development phase, the Noom programs were tested extensively.

According to Scientific Reports, Noom is a safe and effective weight-loss method. A study followed 35,000 women while they took part in the Noom Healthy Weight Program. Almost 80% of the women lost weight and kept it off over time. Those who tended to log dinner and exercise were the most successful.

Research published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research suggests that dieters who have regular contact with a support coach are more likely to achieve permanent weight loss. All Noom members are matched with a health and wellness coach.

A study published in the International Scholarly Research Network demonstrates how people who make behavioral changes are more likely to maintain a healthy weight after reaching their target weight. Noom promotes sustainable weight loss by encouraging positive behavioral changes.

Clinical Research on VShred

The people at VShred have not conducted any clinical research on their programs, but we did look into the science behind some of the company’s claims.

VShred streams High-intensity interval training workouts. High-intensity interval training involves short bursts of high-intensity physical activity.

These workouts are growing in popularity due to praise from celebrities and fitness influencers. However, the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine found that HIIT protocols are no more effective than traditional cardio and resistance training.

Many VShred users found the HIIT workouts to be too difficult for beginners to follow, but users who are already in decent physical condition may see an increase in their cardiovascular health if they follow the VShred program. A study published in PLOS found that HIIT leads to a noticeable improvement in cardiovascular health compared to less intense workouts.

We also looked at several studies to determine whether the VShred program is effective for weight loss. In order to lose weight, dieters must create a calorie deficit. A calorie deficit happens when your calorie intake is less than the number of calories your body requires in a day. You can also burn calories through physical activity to create a calorie deficit.

High-intensity interval training is one way to create a calorie deficit. According to research published in the Journal of Obesity, HIIT shows promise when it comes to weight loss. Participants in the study lost more belly fat compared to the control group. Belly fat, also known as visceral fat, is more dangerous than subcutaneous fat because it puts pressure on the internal organs. More research is needed to determine High-intensity interval training’s effect on abdominal fat.

The VShred protocol encourages short-term diet cycling. Research published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition suggests that short cycles of dieting may promote weight loss without causing muscle loss. Many restrictive diets induce muscle wasting. This effect is undesirable for both medical and superficial reasons.

The program also offers a low-carbohydrate diet option. There is conflicting science surrounding a low-carb diet. Many participants experience weight loss, but the weight loss is attributed to a reduction in calories. Experts often argue whether cutting carbohydrates is necessary. A comparative study published in the Annals of Medicine found that a low-carb diet can reduce blood glucose levels and improve insulin sensitivity, but more long-term research is needed.

The Facts About Noom vs. VShred

Quick Facts on Noom

• Google named Noom one of the most searched weight loss apps of 2019
• Noom is recognized by the CDC as being a positive lifestyle program.
• Subscribers can participate in the 16-week Healthy Weight Program or the 24-week Diabetes Prevention Program.
• The Noom eating plan allows members to eat their favorite foods.
• Noom is free from adverse reactions and side effects.

Quick Facts on VShred

• VShred provides customized diet and fitness plans.
• VShred encourages using their supplement line for best results.
• VShred does not offer a refund on diet and fitness programs.
• There are nearly 200 BBB complaints surrounding VShred
• There is little information available about the company behind VShred.

The Final Take on Noom vs. VShred

We like the idea behind VShred; we’re just not fans because the program isn’t as approachable as Noom. If the average person who wants to lose 20, 30, or even 100 pounds visits the VShred website, they are greeted with images that may not make them feel like this is the program.

With Noom, you gain a personal, human coach, dedicated community of users to learn and grow with over time. Some of the best weight-loss education research has to offer.

Check out the free trial offer of Noom available to Dietspotlight readers today to give it a try.

Noom vs. VShred Questions and Answers

What does Noom stand for?

Noom is not an acronym for anything. Apparently, the name is the word “moon” backward because it always stands as a guide, which is what the program claims to do.

What exactly is Noom?

Noom is a scientifically-backed weight-loss program that offers customized meal plans, educational material about your own eating habits, coaches, workout plans, and support groups.

What is the Noom diet plan?

The Noom diet plan will depend on your individual needs, wants, and physical attributes because each meal plan is customized.

How much is Noom after the trial?

After the free trial, a basic monthly subscription to Noom costs $59. However, you can get discounts for paying for a longer subscription upfront.

How long do I use Noom each day?

After the initial week, you don’t need to spend too much time every day on the app. You’ll use Noom to log your food, check in with your health coach, and sometimes participate in group chat sessions daily to keep accountable with your goals and progress.

How do I quit Noom?

If you want to cancel your Noom program, just click the Chat feature in the app and discuss canceling with your Goal Specialist. They will be able to give you a link to cancel your subscription.

What is Noom like?

While using Noom, you will have access to many tools that will help you lose weight, like food logging, customized meal plans, coach support, and educational features based on your specific eating habits.

What do you eat on Noom?

While on the Noom program, you can eat any foods you like – nothing is restricted. All foods are separated into different groups – green, yellow, and red – to represent their caloric and health value.

Is Noom really worth it?

Yes – Noom is definitely worth it. The program is backed by clinical research and offers tons of customized features to help its users lose weight and make lasting change.