For years, Nutrisystem has been the go-to dieting plan for Americans.
There’s a reason for that.
Nutrisystem’s products are designed to encourage your body to go into fat burning mode, which means that you’ll begin to lose weight fast.
Nutrisystem is built on the concept of retraining your body to crave foods that are healthier and better balanced. They do so by creating ready-to-eat foods that are tasty, easily heated and perfectly portioned to meet your weight loss goals. Now, they're one of the top weight loss food delivery services.
Nutrisystem At A Glance
- Best Match For: People looking to lose weight with perfectly portioned, nutritionally balanced meals on a budget.
- Commitment Level: One time orders; Subscription
- Availability: All 50 states (shipping outside the continental US includes additional charges)
- Value: Starting at $9.29 with a basic plan; Shipping is free in the continental US with most plans
- Type: Fully prepared frozen meals, fully prepared fresh meals, and ready-to-eat snacks
How Nutrisystem Works
Here’s how Nutrisystem works: Customers will be instructed to eat 6 small meals a day every 2-3 hours instead of the conventional breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Your meals will be proportioned and protein balanced for your dietary needs and will be delivered straight to your door. You’ll also have the chance to mix in your own fresh groceries and meals as long as they stick to Nutrisystem’s guidelines.
Nutrisystem currently offers the following plans.
Nutrisystem Turbo 13: This plan will help you lose 13 pounds in a month. The plan also says you can lose 7 inches off of your waist that first month. Along those same lines, the Nutrisystem Turbo 10 promises customers that they’ll lose 10 pounds in a month.
There are also a vegetarian plan available.
You can also customize your meal selections based on your dietary restrictions and allergies using the Nutrisystem’s search function on the site.
Don’t worry about finding the Nutrisystem plan limiting.
You’ll be able to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the plan and will even be able to indulge in the occasional glass of wine.
What You Can Expect From Your Meal
All Nutrisystem meals are designed to be the right balance between protein and fat. Nutrisystem’s chefs design all of their meals and snacks to center lean protein and high fiber.
The high fiber is particularly important because it helps your body feel fuller for a longer period of time (which means that you won’t have the desire to reach for unhealthy snacks in the middle of the work day.
The carbs in your Nutrisystem meals will also be low-glycemic, which means that your blood sugar will be stabilized throughout the day (which also reduces your unhealthy cravings.)
While there are many frozen Nutrisystem items on the Nutrisystem Uniquely Yours menu, most Nutrisystem diet entrees do not have to be frozen or even refrigerated.
Because these meals are sealed through a soft-canning process, they don’t need to be refrigerated and can be heated and served at any time.
Sample Meals
Here are some of the meals we got to sample from the Nutrisystem menu. (As you can see, the fact that the Nutrisystem menu is low calorie doesn’t mean that you’ll miss out on flavor.)
Breakfast:
Lunch:
Dinner:
Snacks:
Delivery
Your Nutrisystem package will arrive at your door 4 to 10 business days after you place your order. (The exact number of days depends on your location.)
Shipping is included with your Nutrisystem plan.
Your order will be delivered through FedEx. You’ll also receive a tracking number when your package has been shipped so that you can track the progress of your meals.
Your package will come in two boxes, one containing Nutrisystem meals that are frozen and the other containing products and meals that are shelf-stable.
FAQS
Nutrisystem claims that you can lose 13-15 pounds during your first month on their diet. Every week after that, they predict a steady 1-2 pound weight loss. The exact numbers depend on many factors, including your level of commitment, genetics, exercise patterns, and more.
Some Nutrisystem meals contain processed ingredients, which is not ideal if you are looking for a well-rounded healthy diet. But our two cents is this: this diet may be useful for short-term weight loss. We recommend consulting with your doctor.
Nutrisystem meals only provide around 1200-1500 calories a day, which can be too restrictive for some people. It can be too expensive to follow, plus if you are constantly hungry and craving food, it may not be feasible in the long run. Nutrisystem is also not the best option for people on a specialized diet.
Depending on the plan you choose, you can expect to pay $250-$350 a month. And that’s without additional groceries you will need, such as fruits and veggies.
Nutrisystem is not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women, anyone under 18, and people with allergies.
Most fruits have a green light while you are on the Nutrisystem diet after you progress to that stage. The only exceptions are fruits with a particularly high glycemic index, such as lychee and watermelon.
Yes, seniors who want to lose weight can follow Nutrisystem without having to worry about their health. However, it’s always good to consult with your doctor before starting a new diet.
Yes, you can find special deals for Nutrisystem meals in Walmart, making them more affordable.
NutriSystem Cost
Meal prices depend on the plan you select, and they start at $9.29 per serving with a Basic Plan. Shipping is free in the continental US for most orders.
Here’s how the main Nutrisystem plans break down in terms of cost. It’s important to remember that Nutrisystem cost are comparable with other diet plans.
Basic is $10.18 a day, which is normally $438.45 and $284.99 with the auto-delivery discount.
Core is $11.07 a day, that’s $476.91 at the regular price and 309.99 with the auto-delivery discount.
The Uniquely Yours plan starts at $12.50 a day, which is $538.45 regularly and $349.99 with the auto-delivery discount.
Uniquely Yours Plus is $13.93 a day, that’s $599.98 regularly and $389.99 with auto-delivery.
The vegetarian plan is $12.50, which is $538.45 regularly and $349.99 with auto-delivery.
Food for Thought
So the big question now is, does Nutrisystem work?
Dieters on Nutrisystem are often extremely pleased with the results in various Nutrisystem reviews. Because the plan targets and burns fat, customers begin experiencing weight loss within weeks.
The plan also focuses on changing your approach to food, so you’ll learn to make healthier choices as you continue to follow the plan.
The plan concentrates on cutting calories, so you’ll be consuming just 1000 calories a day during the first week on the program.
You should consult with your doctor before starting this or any other fat-burning plan that focuses on calorie reduction.
Because you are eating 6 small meals a day, the meals are designed to be filling and interesting. But it’s important to remember that discipline and self-control are two big factors in whether or not your diet is successful.
Nutrisystem discourages customers from eating out while on the plan and customers are also discouraged from drinking too much alcohol (though the occasional glass of wine is fine.)
Nutrisystem shakes are a particularly popular part of the Nutrisystem plan and are a great way to indulge your sweet tooth in a way that is healthy and productive.
The Nutrisystem app is a useful tool that all customers should utilize to track their progress and calories.
While Nutrisystem is great for short-term weight loss, keeping the weight off for years afterwards isn’t as easy.
Be sure to keep that in mind as you proceed and remember that you can’t just return to a high calorie diet after hitting your goal weight.
How to Order
Ordering Nutrisystem is easy. The first step is to pick the plan that works for you. You’ll be asked whether you want a plan for men or women and whether you want your meals selected for you or if you would like to pick your meals yourself.
If you are a new customer, you’ll be prompted to create a profile in which you’ll enter your height and current weight as well as your goal weight. This is also when you’ll create your Nutrisystem password.
The next step is to enter your shipping information.
Once you’ve done that, you’ll just have to enter your payment information, check if all of your information is correct and that you’ve selected whether or not you want a recurring order. After you’ve ensured that everything is correct, finalize your order and your Nutrisystem meals will soon be on their way!
Want to learn even more about Nutrisystem for yourself or a loved elder? Read why we chose it as one of the best meals plans for seniors delivered to their homes.
Nutrisystem