Nutrisystem
Nutrisystem aims to simplify weight loss. You don't have to decide whether foods will fit your diet. You don't have to count calories or carbs. For the most part, you don't have to make sure you're eating proper portion sizes. But you also can't eat whatever you want to.
That's because you buy most of your food from Nutrisystem. The company ships it to your door. Each day, you eat a Nutrisystem breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. You also add side items like fresh fruits and veggies and snacks that you buy from the grocery store.
The plan is not for pregnant women, people with chronic kidney disease, or anyone with certain allergies or diet needs. It's not for children under age 14, though Nutrisystem offers programs for teens ages 14 to 17.
Pros
- Preportioned servings
- Convenient, little food prep needed
- Varied menu
- Nutritionally balance
- Dessert included
With more than 45 years in the diet industry, the Nutrisystem program is a time-tested weight-loss plan that has helped millions of people reduce. The plan is easy to follow, convenient, and preportioned to keep calories at the optimal level for weight loss.
The meal plan is designed by nutritionists and provides balanced nutrition and research shows the plan is an effective weight-loss tool.
All Nutrisystem plans include support services and online tracking and the Nutrisystem Core, Uniquely Yours (including Diabetes Plans) and Vegetarian Plans provide access to on-call counselors with a background in a weight-loss related field.
Cons
- Cost
- No eating out
- Not safe for food allergies
- Processed foods
The program costs between $240 and $600 a month depending on the plan you choose, plus the cost of additional foods from the grocery store such as vegetables, fruit, and dairy that you'll need to supplement your diet.
The prepackaged food on the Nutrisystem diet is mostly processed foods, which are not the healthiest. However, the company pledges to not use artificial flavors, sugars or colors, high-fructose corn syrup, or trans fats.
Nutrisystem may not be safe for people with food allergies, including peanuts, soy, dairy, and gluten. While some products may not contain allergens, the potential for cross-contamination is high.
Nutrisystem is not a good option for anyone on a gluten-free diet, especially people with diagnosed celiac disease. Almost all meals on the plan contain gluten ingredients-muffins, donuts, pasta, sandwich melts, pizza, etc. The few meals that include no obvious gluten are not intended for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity due to gluten cross-contamination in processing.
