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NutriSystem Diet
If reconstituting sloppy joes and Asian noodles with water and heat sounds appetizing to you -- and you never tire of eating not-so-great faux food meal after meal -- you may do well on Nutrisystem. Foods rate low on the Glycemic Index (GI), meaning they break down slowly in the body and encourage blood sugar levels to remain stable. Although the Nutrisystem Nourish plan is a new incarnation of the original, both are low-calorie programs that do help dieters shed pounds. No counting, measuring or cooking required. The only remaining question is whether dieters can maintain their results once they're no longer relying on prepackaged foods.
With Nutrisystem, your diet comes in the form of a non-refrigerated foil pouch. The NutriSystem Advanced Program (a relaunch of NutriSystem's previous plan) requires participants to eat the company's line of foods in combination with grocery store-bought accompaniments like fruits and vegetables. As part of its new program, many foods are now made with heart-healthy ingredients, including omega-3 fatty acids (three grams in each Advanced lunch entree) and soluble fibers (three grams in each Advanced dessert entree), which NutriSystem claims can control your appetite, reduce hunger and quell cravings between meals. The new program also includes fitness DVDs for men and women, a behavior guide, a customized meal planner and a Quick Start Guide.
Based on the Glycemic Index (GI), which ranks carbohydrates according to their effect on blood sugar levels, the Nutrisystem plan promises to stabilize blood sugar levels by emphasizing "good," low GI carbs (those that break down slowly and release glucose into the bloodstream gradually) over "bad," high GI foods (those that break down rapidly). The theory: loading up on low GI carbs in combination with optimal amounts of protein and fiber helps stave off hunger and keeps dieters satisfied. Dieters select between six, 28-day programs: Women's, Men's, Women's Silver, Men's Silver, Women's Diabetic, Men's Diabetic or Vegetarian. The plan includes menus and checklists so dieters always know what to eat and when.
Is the Nutrisystem Diet healthy?
Yes. With 55 percent of calories coming from low GI carbs, 25 percent of calories from protein and 20 percent from fat, Nutrisystem is a balanced plan. It contains fewer than 5 percent of calories from saturated and trans fats, less than the recommended sodium intake and it recommends at least 4.5 cups of fruits and vegetables.
What do the experts say?
"The addition of soluble fiber and omega 3s is a positive step as it emphasizes the importance of fiber and healthy fats, something NutriSystem was somewhat lacking before," says Suzanne Farrell, M.S., R.D., spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association and owner of Cherry Creek Nutrition in Denver, CO. "However, following a low GI diet for weight loss has not been shown to be effective."
Another cause for concern, according to Farrell: maintenance. "While food delivery programs (like Nutrisystem) might offer portion controlled meals, they are not retraining you on how to eat and how to pick out the best ingredient -- so you're only successful while you're ordering their product. And the plan doesn't teach healthy lifestyle changes to ensure maintenance of the loss (things like tools for eating out, cooking, meal preparation, label reading and exercise)."
Who should consider the Nutrisystem Diet?
People who can't be bothered with preparing their own food and don't mind subsisting on prepackaged, ready-made, military-like rations.
Bottom Line
For dieters who crave convenience Nutrisystem can help take off the pounds. It's a low-calorie, nutritionally sound plan, but subsisting entirely on prepackaged foods may be unrealistic for many people. And maintaining weight loss may be difficult when dieters return to eating in the real world.
Checklist
- Cost: Expensive. Round-the-clock online and telephone counseling may be free, but food costs even things out. A 28-day meal plan costs close to $300 -- more if you go a la carte.
- Meals Provided: Yes.
- Diet Duration: Twenty-eight days at a time. The diet continues as long as you’re willing to purchase meals -- or until you reach your goal weight.
- Fitness Requirements: There are tailored plans for beginning, intermediate and advanced exercisers, including aerobics, resistance training and yoga.
- Time Commitment: Minimal. You can always call or go online to chat with un-credentialed weight loss counselors, but it’s not required. You just order by phone or online and foods are delivered to your door.
- Eating Out: Possible, but not often. Dishes should be low-fat, low-calorie and low GI.
- Alcohol: No. Calories from alcohol add up and the beverage isn’t a low-GI food.
- Vegetarian-Friendly: Yes. There are a wide variety of veggie-friendly dishes on the plan ranging from tofu inspired creations to black beans and rice. There's also a wide variety of veggie-friendly dishes on the plan ranging from pastas and pizzas to soups and granola bars
- Strict/Flexible Eating Plan: Strict.
| NutriSystem Diet Books | ||
  NutriSystem Nourish: The Revolutionary New Weight-Loss Program |
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