Nutrisystem Diet & Weight Loss Plan Review

What is the Nutrisystem Weight Loss Program?

In a market saturated with gimmicky diets and bogus weight loss products, Nutrisystem cuts through the noise with straightforward, safe and effective diet plans designed by dietitians and backed by science.

Nutrisystem takes the work out of weight loss by delivering perfectly portioned, calorie-controlled meals and snacks to customers’ doors every month. They offer a variety of diet plans, all of which contain the right amount of calories to yield safe and sustainable weight loss results while also dishing out the optimal balance of nutrients—like low-glycemic carbs, lean proteins, and lots of fiber—to keep customers feeling satisfied and strong as they drop the weight.

Unlike many diet plans, Nutrisystem takes a no-deprivation approach—customers eat six times a day (plus as many veggies as they’d like). And nothing is off the menu—they’ve managed to create healthier versions of favorites like pizza, pasta, burgers, chips, and even ice cream. Customers say this unrestrictive approach keeps them compliant with their diets.

With Nutrisystem, customers also get unlimited access to on-demand weight loss coaching as well as NuMi–which was launched in April 2014 as a helpful companion tracking app–both of which provide comprehensive support along the way.

And for those who are concerned that they’ll put the weight back on once they’ve canceled the meal delivery service, Nutrisystem has them covered: Nutrisystem provides the guidance needed to implement healthy and sustainable habits for life. They also offer transition and maintenance plans for those who’d like to continue receiving meals, snacks or even just Nutrisystem protein shakes as they navigate life after Nutrisystem.

With a balanced meal plan designed by nutrition experts and backed by science, a tasty menu that proves that any food can be “diet food,” on-demand support from weight loss coaches and a useful companion app, plus help sustaining weight loss results, Nutrisystem has certainly earned its spot as one of the best diet plans on our list.

How Does Nutrisystem Work?

Nutrisystem is a monthly auto-delivery program, which means that once a month, customers receive a large shipment containing four weeks of meals and snacks delivered to their door. And while the exact content of these shipments depends upon the plan selected, the premise of the program is generally the same.

With most Nutrisystem diet plans, the first week is a little different from the rest of the plan. That’s because the first week is specially designed to kickstart weight loss, which means it’s lower in calories and more regimented than the rest of the program. This first week is largely to thank for the bigger weight loss most people will experience in month one.

So, for the first seven days, customers eat a specially selected Nutrisystem breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack and Nutrisystem protein shake. All that gets added to the diet plan during this first week is veggies and water. Some customers admit to struggling a bit during this first week as their bodies adjust to what may be a fairly dramatic change. But many report that the on-demand coaching from Nutrisystem’s expert weight loss counselors and the tips and articles in Numi, Nutrisystem’s companion app, are enough to get them through.

Once the first week ends, customers continue eating Nutrisystem meals and snacks, but they get a little more flexibility and will be eating a bit more.

From the second week on, customers eat a Nutrisystem breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack of their choosing (men’s plans include two snacks). They also add in lean proteins and dairy foods, fruit and fiber-rich good carbs, and veggies, which makes for a well-rounded diet and enables customers to keep eating some of their favorite non-Nutrisystem foods. Nutrisystem provides a Grocery Guide that breaks down which foods make good additions, and provides portion guidance.

The second week is also when customers start incorporating healthy “Flex” meals into their diet plan. These are meals they make on their own with help from the company’s expansive library of recipes, or meals they enjoy at a favorite restaurant, with ordering guidance from the Nutrisystem Dining Out Guide.

During this phase of the Nutrisystem weight loss program, customers can expect to lose, on average, about one to two pounds per week, an amount that is both safe and sustainable, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Does Nutrisystem Work?

There’s no question that when followed correctly, the Nutrisystem diet plan works—just look at all the Nutrisystem success stories on their website, weight loss blog and commercials. In fact, unlike many other diet companies, Nutrisystem backs up their program with an actual weight loss claim: Women may lose up to 13 pounds and seven inches overall in the first month, and an average of one to two pounds per week thereafter; men may lose 15 pounds and seven inches overall in the first month, and an average of one to two pounds per week thereafter. These stats come from a study they conducted (In a study on the standard Nutrisystem plan, average weight loss was 11.6 pounds and 8 inches in the first month.).

How Much Does Nutrisystem Cost?

Here’s how the different Nutrisystem diet plans for weight loss compare:

Of course, opting for the most premium meals and a personalized plan will cost you more than simply ordering their shelf stable foods and a generic plan. Below, we’ve broken down the pricing structure by plan. Just keep in mind that because men generally require more calories, the men’s weight loss plans include an extra Nutrisystem snack each day, making them slightly more expensive.

Nutrisystem also offers Vegetarian and Diabetes diet plans. The Vegetarian plan includes 90+ menu choices and costs women $11.07 a day or $309.99 a month, and men, $12.50 per day or $349.99 per month. The Diabetes plan has several configurations and costs anywhere from $9.29 a day or $259.99 a month to $14.64 a day or $409.99 a month.

Partner Plans

Nutrisystem also recently rolled out their new Partner Plan, which is designed for two people living in the same home. With the partner plan, customers receive an ongoing shipment containing two weeks of meals and snacks for two people in one package.

Here’s how the pricing works for this plan:

Food & Nutrition: Is Nutrisystem Healthy?

Nutrisystem works hard to overcome the stigma around “diet food.” The menu includes more than 150 meals and snacks, and customers love that Nutrisystem offers healthier versions of their favorite indulgences, like pasta, burgers, chips, pizza and even ice cream. The menu includes a mix of premium frozen meals and convenient shelf stable options.

Unlike many fad diets, the Nutrisystem program has been designed by Registered Dietitians who have ensured that the diet plans meet, or in many cases exceed, most of the recommendations set forth by the government in the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The plans are designed to include:

• Balanced nutrition to fuel your body while you lose weight
• Plenty of healthy, lean protein to keep you feeling satisfied
• High fiber content to help keep you feeling fuller, longer
• Low-glycemic carbs, which help to keep blood sugar stable
• No artificial sweeteners or flavors

A common misconception about Nutrisystem diet food is that it is packed with sodium. On the contrary, all of the Nutrisystem diet plans satisfy the USDA’s recommendation for the general population: Limit daily sodium intake to 2,300 mg or less. And, for those with health conditions who need to limit their sodium consumption even further, Nutrisystem’s weight loss counselors will customize a menu to meet those needs.

As for the taste? Like with any weight loss meal plan, the reviews are mixed. But the general consensus is that some of the meals are surprisingly delicious. Most of the top-rated meals and snacks are part of Nutrisystem’s frozen menu, which will cost you a bit more, but if food variety and flavor is a deal-breaker for you, it’s probably worth the extra investment.

Customers rave about several of the breakfasts, including the Cinnamon Roll, Buttermilk Pancakes, Apple Walnut Oatmeal and the Turkey Sausage and Egg Muffin. Popular lunches include the Classic Hamburger, the Grilled Chicken Sandwich and the Pepperoni Pizza Melt. The Italian Sausage and Turkey Pepperoni Pizza, Chicken and Bacon Ranch Pizza, and the Artichoke and Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast are among the top-rated dinners. As for snacks, customers love the Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwich, the Dark Chocolaty Sea Salt Nut Square and the Smoky BBQ Crisps.

If you’re curious what a sample diet plan looks like, here’s what a typical day looks like on the women’s plan (men’s plans include an extra Nutrisystem® snack each day).

Nutrisystem Sample Weight Loss Diet Plan

1. Breakfast: Nutrisystem Double Chocolate Muffin, mixed nuts and coffee
2. Morning Snack: Low-fat plain yogurt
3. Lunch: Nutrisystem Hamburger and a side salad
4. Afternoon Snack: Apple slices with almond butter
5. Dinner: Nutrisystem Roasted Turkey Medallions and green beans
6. Evening Snack: Nutrisystem White Cheddar Popcorn

With your first shipment, you’ll receive a printed guide that shows you exactly what to eat and when. NuMi, their free weight loss app also contains this information, and makes it easy to check your meal plan with you wherever you go.

Support

Nutrisystem has always offered unlimited access to weight loss counselors, who are reachable by phone seven days a week, and provide helpful guidance and support.

But within the past 10 years or so, the company stepped up its digital game with the launch of NuMi, a free companion tracking app packed with helpful resources to help customers maximize their results.

With NuMi, members enjoy:

• Tracking food, water, activity and weight loss
• Thousands of program-compatible healthy recipes
• Exclusive discounts, challenges and prizes
• Grocery Guides, Dining Out Guides and other helpful tools
• Expert weight loss tips, articles, inspiration and advice

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.

How Does It Compare

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:

Why We Love It: The Bottom Line

With perfectly portioned, fully prepared meals and snacks delivered directly to your door, Nutrisystem has taken the work out of weight loss.

Unlike many other diet plans, the Nutrisystem program is designed by expert dietitians and backed by science—you won’t find any gimmicks here.

And, by keeping healthier versions of typical “no-no foods” on the menu, Nutrisystem has taken the restrictive part of dieting off the table. Not only that, Nutrisystem’s diet plans won’t leave you hungry, weak or feeling deprived like so many others, since members eat six times a day, and can have as many veggies as they’d like.

We also love that Nutrisystem helps customers learn and practice healthy habits to help sustain their weight loss long after they stop their meal delivery. And with a variety of transition and maintenance plans available for those concerned they’ll put the weight back on once they stop their food shipments, there’s really nothing they haven’t thought of.

About the Company: Who Owns Nutrisystem?

Nutrisystem was acquired by Kainos Capital, a private equity firm specializing in acquiring and managing food and consumer businesses in 2020. Founded in 1972 by entrepreneur Harold Katz, Nutrisystem is a leading provider of health and wellness and weight management products. The company is headquartered in Fort Washington, Pa.