Nutrisystem Diet & Weight Loss Plan Review

About Nutrisystem

With more than 50 years of experience in the weight loss world, Nutrisystem has defined the diet food delivery game and has continued to innovate throughout the years. Nutrisystem plans are dietitian-designed and powered by a high protein, lower glycemic approach that helps control hunger and manage your blood sugar levels. 

They know what we know—that life can sometimes get in the way of losing weight. Nutrisystem takes the work out of the equation by delivering pre-made meals and snacks right to your door. Pair that with a science-backed plan and weight loss guidance through a personalized tracking app, comprehensive guides and on-demand counseling, and that’s a recipe for success (that millions of successful customers can attest to).

Plan Options

Nutrisystem has three plan options available, each varying a little when it comes to structure and support.

Option 1: Nutrisystem Program

• What it is: A comprehensive weight loss program with all meals provided and a convenient monthly delivery.
• Price: Starting at $87 per week.
• What you get: Nutrisystem meals for five or seven days per week (breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks), a choice of pantry-ready or heat-and-eat frozen meals, step-by-step nutrition guides with personalized calorie goals, and weight loss support via the company’s companion app, guides and coaching.
• Who it’s best for: Those seeking the most structure in a weight loss plan.

For those of you familiar with Nutrisystem, this is their flagship program, where you receive a monthly shipment of ready-made meals, an easy-to-follow weight loss guide and all the support you need to succeed in your journey, including coaching and a tracking app.

Women and men aged 50 and under also receive a special “first week of weight loss” with their first order, which includes a separate how-to guide and first week meals to help you lose up to seven pounds in your first week.*

There are several ways bulk up your savings with the Nutrisystem Program as well: 

• Add a second household member to the plan to save 15 percent per shipment
• Pre-pay for three or four shipments up front for additional savings and free shipping 

*In a study, avg. weight loss was 5.1 lbs.

Option 2: Meal Delivery Plans

• What it is: Specialized meal plans for high protein, low carb, menopause and balanced macros, with two ready-made meals provided per day and convenient two- or four-week delivery options.
• Price: Starting at $64.99 per week
• What you get: Two Nutrisystem meals per day, step-by-step guides, meal trackers and weight loss support via the company’s companion app, guides and coaching. You also receive your first month of Club Advantage membership for free (learn more about this below). 
• Who it’s best for: Those seeking specialized support and a structured plan with a little bit of freedom to create meals on your own.

This is Nutrisystem’s newest offering, and it’s unique in that it offers different meal plans to help meet your individualized needs. Here’s a little more info about each:

• High Protein Meal Plan: Includes your choice of breakfasts, lunches, dinners or snacks, including options packed with up to 30 grams of protein.
• Low Carb Meal Plan: Your choice of breakfasts, lunches, dinners or snacks, including options with less than 25 grams of net carbs to help you live a low-carb lifestyle.
• Menopause Meal Plan: Your choice of protein-powered breakfasts, lunches, dinners or snacks, step-by-step guides and expert support to help reduce symptoms of menopause, fuel your metabolism, burn stubborn fat, reduce hot flashes and increase energy.
• Balanced Meal Plan by Jenny Craig: Breakfasts and lunch/dinners with a balance of protein, carbs and fats, all with less than 300 calories each.

Most of the options are available in two-week or four-week delivery cadences, except for the Balanced Meal Plan by Jenny Craig, which is shipped every two weeks. 

Similar to the Nutrisystem Program, if you choose the High Protein Meal Plan or Low Carb Meal Plan, you can add a second household member to the plan for additional savings. 

Option 3: Club Advantage Membership

• What it is: This is a membership program that gets you access to purchase any number of meals, at any time, with no limitations or order minimums. Schedule convenient auto-deliveries, make one-time orders and create a plan that fits your needs.
• Price: $69.99 for six months of access, plus the cost of food.
• What you get: With your membership, you get special member pricing on all meals and snacks, additional savings on auto-delivery orders, free shipping on orders of $99 or more, dietitian-designed nutrition guides and meal trackers, access to Nutrisystem’s companion app and coaching for weight loss support and exclusive access to special offers (hello, BOGO sales!).
• Who it’s best for: Those seeking more freedom and less structure in a weight loss plan.

This is the plan for the “DIY dieter,” so to speak. But you’re not on your own with this one—you’ll still receive the guides and support needed to reach your weight loss goals, just with more flexibility to make this plan your own. So you can decide to make more, or less, meals on your own—and you can switch that up from week to week as life demands.

Pricing 

We briefly discussed pricing for each plan option, but here’s a side-by-side recap of plan price, shipping fees and delivery frequency at the time of this review:

The Food

Nutrisystem is perhaps best-known for delivering weight loss friendly meals to your door, which makes it an excellent choice for busy people, people who have been unsuccessful figuring out weight loss plans on their own, or anyone who just needs that extra structure and accountability in order to reach their goals.

And since food is such an important part of the equation for those considering Nutrisystem, we’re going to dig into this topic to discuss the menu, variety, storage requirements and more.

Nutrisystem makes two types of meals: Pantry-ready, which are stored at room temp, and frozen meals, which require extra space in the freezer. You will likely end up with a mix of frozen and pantry-ready, so make sure you have enough space set aside on delivery day. 

Another stand-out feature is Nutrisystem’s menu—it features plenty of variety, and no foods are off-limits, so you can enjoy things you love, while learning how to make a lasting change. Their approach is satisfaction over deprivation, and that means plenty of protein and fiber to keep you fueled and craveable foods made healthier, so you can still enjoy the things you love, like mac and cheese, burgers and even cookies.

Here are some of the most popular meals you’ll find on the Nutrisystem menu:

• Breakfast: Turkey Sausage & Egg Muffin, Cinnamon Roll, Buttermilk Waffles

• Lunch: Classic Hamburger, Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Meatball Parmesan Melt
• Dinner: Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo, Roasted Turkey Medallions, Italian Sausage & Turkey Pepperoni Pizza
• Snacks: Chocolate Chip Cookies, Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwich, Cheese Puffs

If you’re wondering whether or not you’ll like the food, take a look through the more than 450,000 five-star reviews across their menu items to help guide you. 

Depending on which Nutrisystem plan you’re following, you will be adding in some of your own food each day, whether it’s a whole meal or a few fruits and veggies. The process is simple, as the plan will guide you on exactly what to add, and when, but it’s good to know in advance that there are some extra items you will need to add in order to round out your meal plan.

Support

Support is paramount in your weight loss journey, with study after study showing that those who utilize weight loss counseling and other support outlets can achieve greater total weight loss, higher rates of significant weight loss and better long-term weight maintenance. 

That’s because weight loss isn’t just about calories in versus calories out. For many people, it requires behavioral and lifestyle adjustments in order to make a lasting change. Nutrisystem has always been a big proponent of this, which is why their robust support offerings are baked into every weight loss plan option they offer.

The Nutrisystem app is your personalized weight loss portal. It provides a personalized meal plan and calorie range based on your unique goals and health variables. And as you track your meals, activity and weight loss, the app will adjust your calorie goal to reflect where you’re at in your journey so you can continue to work toward your goal.

One-on-one counseling is also available with Nutrisystem plans. In these sessions, your coach can help you set goals, answer questions and provide an extra motivational push when you need it. You can book a coaching session ahead of time, and get expert advice that works for your schedule.

Nutrisystem also has a strong community presence on social media channels like Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest, and some members have even taken it upon themselves to start group pages on Facebook, through which they exchange tips and recipes.

Shipping & Delivery

Depending on the plan you choose, you’ll receive a shipment of Nutrisystem meals every two or four weeks. Shipping is $14.99 (unless you opt to pre-pay for multiple shipments, in which case it’s free), and it generally takes between two and five business days to receive your order after it’s placed.

Club Advantage orders can be made at any time you like; shipping is free for orders of $99 or more, or $25 for orders totaling less than $99.

Orders that contain both frozen and non-frozen foods may be sent in two separate shipments, as Nutrisystem packs their frozen foods in a specially designed cooler with dry ice to keep everything frozen for approximately six hours after delivery. 

Nutrisystem vs. the Competition

In the complicated world of weight loss, it’s hard to know which diet plan is best. Here’s the skinny on how Nutrisystem stacks up:

The Bottom Line: Why We Love It

When it comes down to it, weight loss can be complicated, overwhelming and deeply personal. And if you’re finding yourself in need of some support to reach your goals, Nutrisystem is a solid choice.

We love the different plan options that Nutrisystem offers—with three flexible choices you can start with the system that suits you best, whether that’s more food delivered and the maximum amount of structure and support, or a little more flexibility to do things your own way, while following your personalized plan guidance. 

From the food to the support and the fact that it’s designed by dietitians and backed by science, Nutrisystem stands out as a top contender in the weight loss market.