Nutrisystem Review - 19 Things You Need to Know
Nutrisystem is one of the most popular weight loss plans being sold today. They claim that, with the use of whole food recipes, frequent meal times, and premade meal replacements, weight-loss is possible for everyone. To learn more about the program, our research team delved into Nutrisystem’s “food philosophy,” unique weight loss plans, success stories, and more. In the end, we gathered customer testimonials and compared them to research on timed meal planning and meal replacements to see if this one can really help you experience “safe, effective weight loss.” And, you know what, we were impressed.
Nutrisystem can be purchased through their Official Site.
Nutrisystem Video Review
What is Nutrisystem?
Nutrisystem is a weight loss plan that takes the guesswork out of figuring what you can eat and when. It eliminates calorie counting, keeping track of carbs, and even searching for point values to stay under an allotted amount. It also gets rid of having to figure out what the proper proportions for your plate are at each meal and at snack time. Like many other diet plans, you are still restricted to a certain diet and are not supposed to eat whatever you desire.
When you embark on the Nutrisystem diet, there are several plans to choose from. You can pick the one that is right for you. You eliminate the guesswork because you purchase your meals directly from the company from a customizable menu. Each meal is nutritionally balanced, a proper portion size, and pre-calculated for calories and other factors.
Each day, you are provided with Nutrisystem prepared or easy-to-assemble breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and desserts. For variety, you can also add fresh produce.
Before delving deeper into this system, let’s see what some of the research has to say about Nutrisystem:
- Post Graduate Medicine: “… data suggest that obese patients with type 2 diabetes will experience significant improvements in weight, glycemic control, and cardiovascular… risk factors after the use of a commercially available weight management program.” The weight loss program was Nutrisystem D.
- Frontiers in Nutrition: Nutrisystem was found to be more effective than a self-administered diet over a 16-week period.
- Annals of Internal Medicine: Research following Nutrisystem users up to 12 months showed the program is associated with “promising weight loss results.”
Nutrisystem Competitors
Product | Review | |
---|---|---|
Ketosis Diet | read | |
Jenny Craig | read | |
SlimFast | read | |
Nutrisystem | read |
Nutrisystem Company Profile
Headquarters: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Founder: Harold Katz
Founded: 1972
CEO: Dawn M Zier
Subsidiary companies: NutriSystem Fresh Inc, Nutri/System IPHC, Inc, MORE
History:
- Nutrisystem began by offering advice on weight loss and products in brick and mortar centers.
- In 1999, the company changed its business model to direct-to-consumer, selling online and through call centers instead.
- Nutrisystem launched a mobile platform in 2010.
- In 2015, Nutrisystem bought the South Beach Diet brand.
Scroll below for one of the best products we’ve seen over the last year.
Nutrisystem Quick Facts
- Average weight loss per week: According to the Nutrisystem website, users can expect to lose up to 5 pounds the first week and between one and two pounds each week thereafter.
- Nutrisystem puts emphasis on the importance of exercise. The company encourages “moderately intense physical activity each week.”
- Over 160 food items to choose from.
- Multiple plans and several levels within each plan for optimal personalization.
- Vegetarian option available.
- Plans range from $8 to $13 a day.
- Temperature-controlled home delivery on frozen items.
- Money back, guaranteed.
Nutrisystem Ingredients
Each plan comes with food chosen to supply the right combinations of nutrients and keep you healthy while you lose weight and fuel your body. Each item will have different ingredients to accomplish this. Some highlights of what the meals focus on are:
Healthy, lean protein
According to Genetics Home Reference, protein is a vital element in every cell you have in your body. Your hair and nails are made of proteins and proteins play an essential role in building bones, muscles, and cartilage. Your body uses protein to repair tissues, make digestive enzymes and hormones among other chemicals. Protein is a macro-nutrient, and your body needs a bunch of it to function properly since it is something that you use up and not store.
In weight loss, protein is important for giving your body the ability to put on lean muscle using the amino acids found in it. More lean muscle means more calories burned, even when you are not trying. You also burn more calories digesting them because it takes more for your body to metabolize and use them. Because it takes longer for them to work through your system, you will feel fuller for longer, meaning a less voracious appetite.
High-fiber
According to Nutrition Reviews, including high fiber in a diet to lose weight will keep you fuller longer. Adding more fiber to your eating habits is heart-healthy and helps you maintain a healthy body weight. Fiber is a carbohydrate in foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Unlike traditional carbohydrates, fiber is difficult for your body to digest. It also satiates your appetite making you feel fuller longer without adding lots of calories to your intake.
Low-glycemic carbs
Most of us have heard the terms, “good carbs” and “bad carbs” but still likely have a hard time telling them apart.
Nutrisystem eliminates the need for you to determine which is good or bad. They use low glycemic carbs like whole grains and specific veggies (the good kind) in their meals. The more complex the carb, the longer it takes to break down in your system, as they are digested slowly. Low glycemic carbs are more complex and thus release into your blood slowly and steadily, which is better for losing weight since it keeps you full longer.
Nutrisystem NuMi
A few years ago, in 2014, Nutrisystem started new programs, one of which was NuMi®, an app that is oriented towards techie dieters with wearable health and fitness devices and platforms. NuMi:
- Tracks Nutrisystem meals and food outside of the program.
- Sends out meal, water, and exercise reminders.
- Provides articles, tips and recipes on a daily basis.
- Offers exclusive special offers, contests, and prizes.
What Does Nutrisystem Do?
Nutrisystem provides multiple diet plans that cater to specific needs and can be customized to your particular taste. It offers healthy well-balanced meals that include high fiber, low calorie, and lean proteins to help relieve cravings and keep you fuller longer to control your appetite and eating habits.
With over 160 menu items to choose from, the program is sure to please anyone. The ultimate goal of individuals on the Nutrisystem plan is to lose weight and maintain a healthy weight. You’ll eat six times a day. Many options are low sodium and they remove unnecessary artificial flavors and colors, as well as potentially harmful preservatives. It’s an easy plan to follow with no guesswork as to what you can or cannot eat.
The Nutrisystem program can also be aligned with DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet recommendations. According to Obesity Reviews, “DASH Diet is a good choice for weight management, particularly for weight reduction in overweight and obese participants.”
How Easy is Nutrisystem to Follow?
Convenience: Six meals per day with pre-counted portions, saving you time and effort.
Recipes: Dozens of high-protein, high-fiber, zero-trans fat recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.
Eating Out: Extensive PDF guide on how to not derail your diet when out in a restaurant.
Alcohol: The Nutrisystem program recommends abstinence from, or limiting, alcohol consumption because “alcoholic beverages […] tend to be high in calories and often contain extensive fat, cholesterol and sodium.” In the later stages of weight loss, a glass of wine is perfectly fine.
Fullness: Besides the high-fiber, low-glycemic carb ingredients of the Nutrisystem program, the company offers a guide to help people feel full faster.
App: The free NuMi app makes following Nutrisystem easier than ever. You can track every meal with a few finger taps and know every detail of the foods you eat in an instant.
What You’ll Eat on Nutrisystem
- Pantry items: oatmeal, cereal, pasta dishes, chili, mashed potatoes, tuna salad, mac and cheese, pizza, breakfast muffins, and cookies
- Frozen foods: omelets, breakfast sandwiches, pizza melts, waffles, hamburgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, quesadillas, cinnamon rolls, and ice-cream sandwiches
Does Nutrisystem Work?
When you control your calorie intake and your portions, you are on a good path to losing weight. Add the fact that your meals will likely be healthier than what you eat regularly and you implement an exercise regimen to burn even more calories, and the result should be that you attain your weight loss goals. If you can stick to the plan accordingly and only eat what is suggested through your prepared meals and allowed produce, research that has been done to support the success of the plan suggests that you will lose weight.
Another plus to the Nutrisystem plan is that you will be eating smaller meals more often, which is considered a healthier way to eat based on research. It has been found to promote greater weight loss and maintenance and the prevention of other health issues.
One challenge that you may face is maintaining the diet without all the help you got through the program. However, if you can transition back into eating “normal” food while keeping in mind what you have learned through healthy eating during the program, you should have no problem. The program progresses and helps teach the user how to cook healthy with Flex meals. Once you reach your body weight goal, you will likely be more apt to maintain healthy habits to keep your healthier appearance and feeling.
According to research in Annals of Internal Medicine, a study titled “Efficacy of commercial weight-loss programs: an updated systematic review” looked into Nutrisystem’s capabilities. It reported that “Nutrisystem participants achieved at least 3.8% greater weight loss at 3 months than control/education or counseling.”
Nutrisystem Benefits
One significant benefit to Nutrisystem is that it is easy to follow. Many people have a hard time sticking to other diets because there are calories to count, carbs to count, and points to track. Then there is often guesswork with the values of certain foods or portions. Nutrisystem takes that guesswork out. It is all prepared and counted for you. Portions are controlled, and all you need to do is follow the program.
Another benefit to the Nutrisystem program is that there are avenues of support for its members. There is an online community of others using the plan that can become a significant support group and means of encouragement as you adjust to the diet or experience any stumbling blocks or setbacks. There’s also the NuMi app packed with helpful information on Nutrisystem, weight loss, and more. The app is free.
The Ease or Difficulty of Following Nutrisystem
Once you choose and customize your plan, you order a month’s worth of food. Ordering is easy and convenient since you can pick and choose what you like and order it from the comfort of your own home. The food available is chosen by your plan choice and comes prepared for you. No need for counting calories and carbs and there are no points to keep track of.
Nutrisystem offers a wide variety of meal choices and snack options to choose from. Its most extensive plan offers over 160. You can get the allowed add-on options on your own from the supermarket, giving you even more variety.
Nutrisystem Pros & Cons
Pros
- Large meal variety
- Convenience without the need for calorie-counting
- Emphasis on physical exercise
- Support through the counseling program and app
- Home delivery
- High-protein products mean simultaneous weight loss and muscle gain
- Vegetarian alternative plans
- Affordable
- Money-back guarantee
Cons
- Individual meals that are not fit for entire families
- Products are not organic, gluten-free, or non-GMO
- Products have allergens like egg, wheat, soy, wheat, and tree nuts
What is the Nutrisystem Cost?
There are some cost variables within the Nutrisystem plan depending on which plan you choose. Specialized plans cost more. The regular plans come in tiers that increase in price as you go up. Generally, you can expect to spend between $8 and $13 a day, plus the cost of fresh produce.
Basic
The Basic Nutrisystem plan is the cheapest plan offered by the company. The plan comes with a four-week special menu and an affordable price.
With this plan, you get to choose from 100+ options and 5 Nutrisystem breakfast, lunches, dinners, and snacks a week.
The plan costs $8.57 a day. This comes out to $239.99 for four weeks.
Uniquely Yours
The Uniquely Yours Nutrisystem plan includes everything in the Basic plans and more. This plan offers 160+ menu options and frozen food selections 5 days a week.
The price is $10.36 a day or $289.99 for four weeks.
You can also choose to tailor your choices to your metabolism.
Uniquely Yours Ultimate
The Uniquely Yours Ultimate Plan includes everything in the Uniquely Yours plan plus more. With this plan, you get 7 Nutrisystem breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. This plan is geared for those looking for less meal prep and more structure.
The price is $12.50 a day or $349.99 for four weeks.
Other Nutrisystem Plans
Those the three above named plans are the most popular, they aren’t the only ones available from Nutrisystem. You can also choose from:
- Partner
- Vegetarian
- Basic – Diabetes
- Uniquely Yours – Diabetes
- Uniquely Yours Ultimate – Diabetes
- Men’s
Where to Buy Nutrisystem
- Nutrisystem website
- Amazon
- CostCo
- Walmart
- eBay
- Groupon
- Nutrisystem locations
Nutrisystem Directions
Directions to follow the Nutrisystem plan are easy and straightforward. You choose a meal plan that is right for you. Consume only the prepared meals, snacks, and add-on allotment. Your meals will be smaller but will increase in frequency, which has been proven to be a healthier way to lose weight.
Add 30 minutes of daily exercise, and that about encompasses the routine except for some restrictions including eating out at restaurants if at all possible and eliminating alcohol consumption.
Nutrisystem Results
People who have tried Nutrisystem have found fantastic results. Remember, the diet is to get you to a healthy weight and teach you to eat better. Once off the plan, you have to do some work to maintain your results. Rest assured, research shows, “the Nutrisystem program results in sustained significant weight loss over a 12-week period,” according to the Center for Applied Health Sciences.
Nutrisystem Weight Loss
Nutrisystem is a great weight loss option for those who need guidance and do not like all of the guesswork associated with other types of diets. Components in their meals make your body work to process food, and makes you feel fuller longer to satiate any cravings and control your appetite. Less calorie intake while burning more calories gives this plan the requirements for an amazing success rate.
What Users Are Saying
“Awesome product, lost 5LBS in the 5 days. Food was good, I did order Nutrisystem snacks for the program as they did not supply full 5 day of snacks and easier to just stay on the system. I have done Nutrisystem for 2 months and was awesome, wanted a fresh start after a long vacation to help get back on track. No thought needed, just eat and log it with simple app.”
“I really like the frozen meat item. Expected them to taste like cardboard but was pleasantly surprised.”
“I love the food I have tried several dif plans in my life and this is so convenient and the food is really good.”
The Bottom Line on Nutrisystem
If you are looking for a diet that is the ultimate in convenience, Nutrisystem is that. You do not have to worry about portion sizes, planning, shopping, cooking or counting carbs, calories, and points. There are more than 160 food products to choose from, including ready-to-eat and frozen options. All food is shipped with dry ice in a sturdy container to prevent any damage during shipping. In all, there’s not much negative to be said about the Nutrisystem plan – it just works.
If you’d like to jump-start your weight-loss, we suggest including a weight-loss program that won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
If you’d like to jump-start your weight-loss, we suggest including a weight-loss program that won’t cost you an arm and a leg – one like Nutrisystem. This weight-loss system provides you with breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks so you don’t have to count calories, control fat intake, or calculate points anymore. There are more than 160 food items to choose from, including frozen foods delivered in a temperature-controlled, recyclable container. Plus, it’s all available on the easy-to-use NuMi app, so you can access your goals from anywhere.
Sondra (Verified Purchase)
This is the second time I’ve been on the program. It works,folks. The food is DIET food people and can’t be expected to taste like a 4 star restaurant. It is fairly good though and I lost 30 lbs. the first time. Just need to get back on it and lose some more. OH, also, my colesterol dropped to normal on this plan. That’s an added bonus.
Casey (Verified Purchase)
I stayed on the program for quite a few months. Lost weight right away then leveled off. I agree, I don’t see how they can send out some of the food.
And they are advertised as MEALS. They are not. Just a main dish. The packaging caused some items to be damaged in shipping. You have to call in to cancel the automatic shipments. Can not cancel on the website.
bonnie guillot
what is the sodium count in the meals?
Hi. For detailed product ingredients please refer to the official nutrisystem website or product label for more information.
i just started this week and the sodium count is very high. I have high blood pressure and am on two meds, I think I going to have to layoff ns.
Herb
Don’t like the automatic monthly order, want to order myself, is that doable?
Hello. For product ordering inquiries, please refer to the nutrisystem official website for more information.
yes. choose a la carte option. thats how I order mine.
Schondra (Verified Purchase)
I and my husband started it a week ago! He has lost 8lbs. and not even one for me…But both blood pressure have been lowered (my was ok to start with but even better now) and our systems have straighten out and we both feel really healthy….We, too have two full months on it and the meals (most of them) are great……Hang in there and good luck to you all…….
Brenda Morris
i have been on nutrisystem for 3 months. most of the food is very good.(the beef dishes are overpowered with mushrooms and green peppers) but you can order the ones younlike. I have lost 43 lbs
and plan on staying with the plan untill i loose 100 lbs total.
Good for you! I was on this deit back 10 years ago. I am a type 2 diabetic and it helped me get my blood sugars under control. I am ready to get back on this diet and I plan to get back into the 110 readings on my blood sugars. I can’t wait to start. I plan to receive my first month supply on Monday.
You will loose your desired wieght just stick to it no matter what!.
Lydia
What food plan are you using, the Diabetic Foods?
Dianna
i was on this back in 93-94 and it was great.is the food the same or did they change it?
Hello. For product inquiries please refer to the nutrisystem official website for more information.
the plan has been added to_I think the silver plan is probably the least carbs and doesn’t give me hot flashes_the advanced plan has potatoes and other stuff which contributes negatively to my situation
scott (Verified Purchase)
I used Nutrisystem for two months and lost 40 pounds. It worked for me and will use it again if I need too.
did you at just there food or did you add to it?
mary anne (Verified Purchase)
it really is non-edible. My brother and I both bought it and threw it out. I think it was the nastiest thing I’ve ever tried–I’d rather not eat a thing than eat that. No wonder people lose weight. Wonder if their spokespeople get better food than ordinary people do. Or, they wouldn’t promote it as being good.
carla (Verified Purchase)
i paid $148 dollars plus tax for nutri system 14 day starter program tonite and get home go to web site it instructs and not on any of the web sites for nutrisystem does it even mention redeeming this $148 dollor card well it says 24 hr.phone support well i call the no. on the back and it tells me that its after hrs. but i could go to the same web site that i have been on for the last hr. trying to find some where on it that says put your serial# and pin # to activate your 14 day nutrisystem starter program
Lynn
I am about to go on the diet, worried about all the money. Tell me some encouraging stories. The girl who hasn’t lost a pound in 10 days sounds awefully discouraging. Lynn
Me and my buddy did the diet! He lost 70 lbs! I lost 30 lbs in about 6 wks! I was not even that big! Though I did excercise every day! I think it’s a great diet!
Lynn, I’ve been on NS for 3 weeks today and have lost 10 lbs. I couldn’t be happier with the program. My husband jokes me saying I’m going to be the next spokesperson:) This weight has come off effortlessly with just daily walks through my neighborhood. You do have to do some sort of exercise. I went into this knowing I wouldn’t be eating all the tasty gourmet meals that got me into this predicament in the first place. I knew that if I was going to lose weight, I was going to have to make a few sacrifices, and I tell you, the sacrifices were minimal, the food isn’t that bad. I’ve read so much about the awful muffins so I couldn’t wait to see if they were actually that bad. Do they taste like ones bought from Duncan Donuts?? Of course not! For muffins offered on a weight lose program,,they’re pretty good. There was a few things that I just couldn’t tolerate,,so,,I just didn’t order them next time around, pretty easy solution. I’m NEVER hungry which is shocking for me since I’ve always been a grazer. I know of 2 other people who tried NS and had amazing results, I was at the end of my rope and was feeling desperate to lose the weight. My old habits are now broken and I feel awesome. As far as the money, sure it sounds like alot. I’m an PD officer and work nights and would spend on average $10-12 a night on fast food and junk, so we didn’t really feel the expense of it. So good luck to, stick with it and you will lose!
Hey Jen,
I don’t know if you even read this anymore but I noticed you were a PD officer that works nights. I was wondering how you work the nutrisystem into your schedule. I work 10p-8am Thur thru Sun with Mon-Wed off. Thank you in advance if you or anyone can provide any assistance.
My husband and I are both on the diet and he’s lost 7 lbs in the first week, and I’ve lost 4. I can’t exercise because of a mobility issue, but I have been on Nutrisystem once before for three months and lost over 45 lbs. The food doesn’t taste homemade, but most of it isn’
t bad, and if you don’t like something you can change what you get the next time. Make sure you customize your meals. I think Nutrisystem is the ONLY diet that DOES work!
coroline bloom (Verified Purchase)
Hi, yes I tried nutrisystem. I sent it back, I WOULD NOT FEED THAT CRAP TO A STRAY DOG!!!Beef does not tast like that, Hey, wheres the cat!!
I’ve switched to the veggie meals and it’s amazing. I’ve lost 20 lbs in 2 months.
I’m with you coroline bloom!
shouldn’t be feeding stray dogs anyway…guess they led you astray.
started NS 1 month ago. Foods are good enough for me, most of them. Have lost 10 lbs, have not had a headache or need for Tums in 30 days, have not eaten out, which was a regular deal b4 since I am a small biz owner and didn’t have much time for anything but. now I have regular, healthier, and less expensive meals every day. If I don’t like an entree I just don’t chose it next order. simple. And I have been finding creative ways to augment entrees while keeping within the program. Folks complain about price. $239 month for me, shipping included. Add that to my cost for fresh HEALTHY fruits & veggies, and I come out ahead at about $10-11 a day. If I want to switch to other NS programs I can. I’m not stuck. I keep my food logs and use the tools as needed. I am proactive instead of sitting around waiting for something to happen. That’s what got me in trouble: too much idle/sedentary time, too much eating out & eating to feel good for the moment, then paying for it later. People can bad mouth NS all they want, not going to change my plan unless it harms me physically. And so far, i’m getting better and better. You don’t like it, try something else. Simple.
It’s making me feel sick and bloated. Wonder if there is a better option, jenny craig weight watchers ?
I had the same issue. Jenny Craig food did not have this impact on me.
I have the same issue. Never had problems with Jenny Craig food 10 years ago.