The Nutrisystem Diet:
Processed Portion Control

A diet plan using prepackaged, portion controlled meals. It's basically a no brainer! No menu planning, shopping, cooking or cleaning the kitchen is required. All you have to do is heat and eat the Nutrisystem meals. Portion control doesn't get much easier!

Nutrisystem began as a series of weight loss centers in the 70s but went bankrupt in the 90s. It now simply offers the food with no face-to-face, though there are tools on the website, as well as remote counseling and support.

If you want to take all the guesswork out of what and how much to eat and don't mind eating processed food, the Nutrisystem Diet may just be what you need to "get back on track" or "jumpstart" your weight loss. It's a great way to rein in your portions and give yourself a good lesson about how much you really should be eating.

However, it's probably not a permanent answer to weight management. It would be hard to eat Nutrisystem food, and only Nutrisystem food, for the rest of your life. Even on the Nutrisystem website, the opinion seems to be that people tend to get tired of the food after 2-3 months.

How The Nutrisystem Diet Plan Works

Go to the Nutrisystem website. Decide on which program you'd like to follow. Select your food (customize your menu or choose a "standard" option), and then wait for all those meals to show up on your doorstep.

The Plans You Can Choose From:

• women's
• men's
• diabetic
• vegetarian
• women over 60
• men over 60

You'll eat 3 meals and 2 snacks of prepackaged, portion controlled Nutrisystem food every day. No alcohol is allowed, but tea, coffee, and diet soda are.

Exercise is recommended, and you'll get a free exercise DVD with your order.

If you follow the program to a "T", daily calorie intake varies from 1200-1500 per day and provides:

• 55% (low glycemic index) carbs
• 25% protein
• 20% fat

Will you lose weight following The Nutrisystem diet plan?

Most likely! It's a simple, convenient way of reducing calories. (Why calories matter).

Cost

Expect to spend around $10/day on the food.

Of course, the more you order, the less expensive it gets.

There are all kinds of savings to be had with larger orders. Current offers as of May, 2008 (subject to change) include:

• Save 10-15% on a 2-4 week order
• 2 weeks free when you sign up for 2 months of "auto delivery"

Heads up! At first glance it appears you must commit to 28 days when ordering the Nutrisystem diet. But, as I write this, if you search under "Other Options" on the menu bar, you can actually order only the number of weeks you'd like.

The Nutrisystem Diet PROS

• Convenient
• Easy to follow
• No calorie counting or "point" counting required
• No contract fee or membership fee
• Great to "jump start" weight loss or "get back on track"
• Online and telephone phone counseling available
• You don't "have" to see a weight loss counselor
• Food delivered to your door
• Access to online tools

The Nutrisystem Diet CONS

• Face to face counseling not an option.
• Nutrisytem food is processed, prepackaged food. It's never going to taste like a homemade meal!
• Food is high sodium because it's packaged/processed.
• Not a permanent weight loss solution.

My Professional Opinion

I think Nutrisystem is a good short term approach to weight loss. The program can be used as a jump start and an education about proper portioning. I'd just hate to see you eating processed, packaged food for too long! So if one month sounds about right...

Buy a 28-Day diet package on Auto-Delivery and get 14 days of free food.

More of My Professional Advice You May Find Useful

Diet Meal Delivery Overview

FREE Weight Loss Help

More Diet Reviews

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