Nutrisystem Diet Review

Plans & Pricing

Recognizing that there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all weight loss program, Nutrisystem offers a variety of plans at a variety of price points.

Nutrisystem Plans

Here’s a look at some of the plans they’re dishing out for both men and women:

• Basic: A great choice for those who prefer simpler meals and classic flavors, this plan features a full menu of shelf-stable, ready-to-go meals and snacks—no refrigeration or freezing necessary.

Nutrisystem also offers a Partner Plan perfect for couples, families and roommates, and a Complete Plan, which caters to those looking to lose 50 pounds or more.

Nutrisystem Pricing

At the time of this review, the Basic plan costs just $9.99 per day. That’s a great value considering all that’s included—multiple meals and snacks plus access to weight loss coaches and helpful resources like their companion app, NuMi. Their more premium plans cost a bit more, but not by much. Shipping is always free, and they offer several promotions throughout the year that bring that cost down even more.

How it Works

Here, we’ll cover how to order a Nutrisystem weight loss program, and what you’ll do once your shipment arrives.

Ordering Information

Getting started with Nutrisystem is an easy and painless process. You’ll start by selecting your plan and indicating whether you’d like to build your own menu or receive their “Chef’s Choice” package, which includes a sampling of all their most popular meals and snacks. Then, you’ll simply provide your payment information and shipping address.

Shipping is free for all four-week auto-delivery plan orders. If you choose a plan that includes a mix of frozen and non-frozen foods, you will likely receive two separate shipments (frozen foods are sent in special packaging designed to keep it frozen until you can move it to your freezer).

How the Plans Work

Once you place your auto-delivery order, you’ll start receiving your food every two to four weeks, depending upon the plan you selected. Here’s an overview of what you’ll do once on the Nutrisystem program:

Week one: The first week of the Nutrisystem program is designed to kickstart customers’ weight loss. So, during the first seven days you’ll follow a prescribed meal plan comprised of specially selected Nutrisystem meals and protein shakes.

Week two and beyond: Once you complete your first week on program, you’ll enjoy more flexibility with your meals. Every day, you’ll enjoy any breakfast, lunch or dinner from your shipment. And, instead of the protein shakes you drank during your first week, you’ll either be adding in a Nutrisystem snack of your choosing from your shipment, or you’ll enjoy a fresh grocery item (they provide you a list of goo choices). During your program you’ll also get to enjoy a few Flex meals—healthy meals you make at home or order from your favorite restaurant. Flex meals give you the wiggle room you need to live your life while you lose weight—and also prepare you for life after Nutrisystem.

Nutrisystem Food

The experts at Nutrisystem know that the best diet is the one you’ll actually stick with. By dishing out a wide variety of nutritious and satisfying food that actually tastes good, they make it easy to stay on the weight loss wagon.

What’s on the Menu?

One of the biggest differentiators between Nutrisystem and other diet delivery companies is the food. Unlike their competitors, who label certain foods “off limits,” Nutrisystem serves up healthier spins on all your favorites, like pizza, pasta and even dessert—so you’ll never feel deprived. They have a lot more menu variety than most other diet delivery companies, too—they offer one of the largest selections of ready-to-eat and premium frozen breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks.

Here’s a taste of what’s on the Nutrisystem menu:

Nutrition

The Nutrisystem weight loss program was designed by dietitians to provide customers with the best balance of nutrients while they lose weight—so they stay satisfied and strong as they slim down. The program emphasizes good carbs, lean proteins, healthy fats and tons of nutrient-dense produce—all the pillars of a healthy diet. They take a high-protein, lower-glycemic approach, which helps control hunger and manage blood sugar levels—no 2 p.m. energy crashes here.

And, the meals and snacks are all calorie-controlled and pre-portioned, so you never have to worry about counting, measuring or weighing your Nutrisystem food.

One common misconception about Nutrisystem is that the meals are high in sodium. Although the sodium content varies between meals, the meal plans are designed to align with the USDA’s recommended daily intake of 2,300 milligrams or less for the general adult population. For those who need to restrict sodium even more than that, the Nutrisystem weight loss coaches are standing by to help build a program that meets their needs.

Now that we’ve covered all the Nutrisystem basics, let’s take a look at how this diet delivery company compares to other weight loss companies:

The Bottom Line

If you want to lose weight but don’t have the time, knowledge or energy it takes to prepare healthy food on your own, Nutrisystem is as close to a foolproof solution as you’ll get. The company delivers pre-portioned, calorie-controlled meals and snacks right to your door on a monthly basis. They offer a variety of meal plans, each carefully designed by dietitians so you can be sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need while you lose weight. Plus, they’ve got healthier versions of pizza, pasta, burgers and even ice cream, cookies and chips on the menu. It’s a convenient and balanced approach to healthy eating that won’t leave you feeling deprived or overly restricted. They have some of the best menu variety on the market, and they offer several great resources to ensure you stay on track, including a robust complementary app and on-demand access to expert weight loss coaches. We love that they have incorporated fresh grocery items and Flex Meals into the program, addressing some critics’ concerns that once customers stop receiving their Nutrisystem food, they will regain the weight.

Overall, Nutrisystem is a solid choice for a diet delivery program. It’s convenient, it’s effective and, for the amount of food and extras you get, it’s a tremendous value.