Nutrisystem
Lose weight with meals conveniently delivered to your home.
QUICK FACTS
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- Established: 1972
- Founder: Harold Katz
- Headquarters: Fort Washington, Pennsylvania
- Stock Symbol: NTRI
- Accessibility: Online, Phone
- Diet Type: Low-fat, Low-calorie, Meal Delivery, Portion Control
- Gender: Male and Female
- Celebrity Endorsements: Melissa Joan Hart, Marie Osmond, Dan Marino, Jillian Barberie, Terry Bradshaw
- Get started by saving with these Nutrisystem Coupons
BACKGROUND
Nutrisystem is one of the most recognizable names in weight loss and has rightly earned its place among the top diets. Founded in 1972, Nutrisystem has helped millions of people lose weight on its convenient portion-controlled meals. This program takes the guess work out of dieting and many people find it to be an easy approach to healthy weight loss.
The brand is one of the first diets to earn its marks by offering a hassle-free way to lose weight with its meal delivery service. The diet plan takes care of the majority of grocery shopping, cooking and portioning by delivering meals and snacks that are calorie-controlled and pre-prepared. All you have to do is heat and enjoy, supplementing with a few fresh grocery store items. Nutrisystem originally offered pantry-ready, but in 2009 added a fresh-frozen line of meals; combined the two lines offer more than 150 menu options.
Nutrisystem is currently based on its SUCCESS program, which focuses on flexibility, maintenance, taste, and satisfaction.
Most health experts agree that the Nutrisystem diet is healthy and nutritionally sound. The meals in the program are low in saturated and trans fats and sodium. All the foods are portion controlled and rely on a balanced approach by offering low glycemic index eating, to control blood sugar, that is high in protein and fiber, for satiety. All of these features make up the Nutrisystem SUCCESS program.
There are a range of plans at varying price points that are tailored to suit different nutritional needs, with those specifically for men, women, teens, diabetics and vegetarians.
Plans and meals are selected and ordered from Nutrisystem's website or by phone. You'll receive 28 days worth of food that comes in pantry-ready and or frozen containers that you simply heat before eating. Some grocery purchases will need to be made for items like fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, whole grain bread, fish, and more.
When you sign up with Nutrisystem, you'll also receive a Mindset Makeover behavioral guide, a 13-week online plan to help you better understand your relationship with food. It provides steps for taking control of your eating habits. Nutrisystem customers also have online access to health information, community support, weekly newsletters, smart phone applications, and tracking tools.
In addition to the proper eating, Nutrisystem encourages 30 minutes of exercise every day or using their interval workouts called “My Daily 3.”
Nutrisystem Videos
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PRO
Makes it clear what you need to do to lose weight
More than 71 million pounds lost by Nutrisystem customers in the past decade
Features more than 150 meals and snacks
Customizable
Provides balanced nutrition
Promotes exercise
Convenient
Vegetarian and diabetic friendly
Promotes weight loss at a healthy rate
Complimentary access to registered dietitians and weight loss counselors
6th Most Popular Diet in 2012 at DietsInReview.com
Named "Best Convenience Diet" in USA Today's The Best of Diet & Fitness Magazine, 2013
CON
Meals may leave you feeling hungry
May be cost prohibitive for some
Limited flexibility for eating off plan (i.e. restaurants)
USER REVIEWS
A sampling of feedback and experiences shared by our community.
I tried nutrisystem in 2008 and lost 28 pounds. It was the only diet I ever went on that actually worked,yes it is a little expensive, with the veggies and dairy but if you stick to it it works. - Lori 6/28/11
I've been on NS, the diabetic program, for 3 months. I've lost 35 pounds and my blood sugar has come WAY down (from mid 200's to low 100's). And I don't find the food unpalatable at all. You can customize your order, so anything I don't like I just don't order again, and anything I like I order more off on the next shipment. Customer service has been excellent, and there is a huge member support that is extremely helpful. Plus, I AM learning how to eat properly to keep the weight off when I reach goal. Yay, Nutrisystem! - Betty 6/16/11
it absolutely works if you follow it correctly. It is easy to follow as well, but the food is horrible!!! There are only a few things that are tolerable, and even if you customize your order you will get extremely tired of eating those same things over and over. They have a plan where you get these other foods added that are frozen. They are WAY better, but you only get a couple of weeks worth of it then your back to eating the other horrible food. Totally not worth it. I've tried it three times because I did lose the weight, but I couldn't handle the food. - Whitney 5/17/11
The portion sizes are sooo small. It's not possible to just grab and go. To feel satisfied you have to add fruits and lots of vegetables. It's not as mindless as I thought it was going to be. Fruits and vegetables are expensive. Overall it works because your fat/calories are so restricted and because no one wants to wstet all the money they spent on the program. I didn't mind the food. I have don't have gourmet taste or anything. No worse than the frozen/dried meals in stores now. I will probably not buy another month worth of food. Could have probably lost weigt eating lean cuisines, protein bars etc. I think nutrisystem is a good jump start to a diet and healthier eating. - TB 1/21/11
See our in-depth Nutrisystem review completed in 2010.
Leave Your Own Review and Rating
DIET and NUTRITION
Whenever people sign up for a meal delivery diet, the big question is "What can I eat?". With Nutrisystem, there are more than 150 meal and snack options to choose from, to include pantry-ready and frozen meals. Muffins, roasted vegetable pizza, stuffed shells, macaroni and cheese, chicken noodle soup, chicken parmesan, and tacos are just a few of the entrees, while snacks include bars and pretzels. Dessert isn't out of the picture with options like oatmeal raisin cookies, chocolate, ice cream and whoopee pies. All of this is complemented by a few grocery purchases, including fresh fruits and vegetables. Each Nutrisystem meal is pre-packaged and prepared to the appropriate portion size. Many items are ready-to-eat but some require heating.
All of the Nutrisystem meals are low on the glycemic index and contain a balanced proportion of quality carbohydrates (55%), good fats (25%) and protein (20%). Meals are also low in sodium and trans fat. All of this allows customers to maintain blood sugar while maintaining a feeling of fullness, or satiety, between meals.
The women’s program contains about 1,200 calories and the men’s contains about 1,500 calories per day. Each day you’ll eat three meals and and two snacks with the addition of six servings of fresh fruits and vegetables. You can either custom select your own meals or choose an automated favorites meal and snack menu. Pantry-ready foods do not need to be refrigerated; however, fresh-frozen meals ship in a cooler and must be frozen until ready to prepare.
A typical day on the Nutrisystem SUCCESS program includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, one snack and a dessert. Below is a sample menu from the Nutrisystem Select option, which features some fresh-frozen items:
Breakfast: Granola Cereal or Honey Wheat Bagel
Snack: Hummus or an orange
Lunch: Red Beans and Rice or Chicken Tacos
Dinner: Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes or Sweet and Sour Chicken
Dessert: Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies or Red Velvet Whoopie Pies
In December 2012, Nutrisystem announced the addition of two dozen new and improved meal options to their menu.
- Chicken Pot Pie
- Stuffed Egg
- Cheesecake Bar
- Spicy Kung Pao
- Margarita Pizza
- Chicken Pot Pie
- Cinnamon Streusel Muffin
- Chicken Parmesan Melt
- Stuffed Apple Pie
- White Chocolate Chunk Cookies
EXERCISE
Nutrisystem sees exercise as an important component to lifelong weight management and encourages members to get 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week (or 30 minutes five days a week).
The addition of the “My Daily 3” program has helped users achieve their workout goals. The program is made up of three 10-minute interval activities each day, allowing even the busiest of schedules to easily make fitness a priority. Nutrisystem customizes a fitness plan for each customer, based on an assessment taken online, and encourages your doctor to sign off on it. An example plan for a woman looks like this:
SUN: 20 minute hike, 10 minute bike ride
MON: 10 minute treadmill, 10 minute stationary bike, 10 minute rowing
TUE: Total body circuit training workout
WED: 10 minute walk before each meal of the day
THU: Total body resistance band workout
FRI: 10 minute walk before each meal of the day
SAT: 10 minutes stairs, 10 minute treadmill walking, 10 minute stationary bike
Members receive a two-week personalized fitness plan with guidance on how to increase their activity as fitness level improves and the weight loss journey progresses.
When you eat Nutrisystem's meals, you will lose weight without exercise. However, your weight loss will be more effective and sustainable if you incorporate a consistent exercise regimen. You will see faster results, have less trouble keeping the weight off, and enjoy better overall health. Find an activity you enjoy and that interests you. This will keep you motivated and looking forward to your workouts. There are online forums available to dieters for tips and suggestions from other members. Below are just a few examples of some popular choices:
- Zumba
- Aerobics classes
- Walking with a buddy
- Kickboxing
- Yoga
- Pilates
- Biking
- Swimming
- Jogging
- Fitness video games (example Nintendo Wii Fit)
NUTRISYSTEM FAQ
Common questions asked about the NutriSystem program by our community. Click each to see the full answer.
What meals are on the menu for NutiSystem D? - Mike 5/25/11
What is the cost of NutriSystem? - David 6/4/11
Can you buy a sample of NutriSystem? - Sandy 7/6/11
CONCLUSION
Nutrisystem is a well-recognized and successful weight loss program that has helped millions of people lose weight and improve their health. It’s been calculated that in the past ten years, Nutrisystem has helped people shed more than 71 million pounds. Its convenience and portion-controlled meals are delivered to your door every month making it easy to eat healthy as you lose weight. The company has implemented many ways for members to gain support as they lose, transition, and maintain. Members are also being taught how to cook for themselves throughout the process and have access to support at all stages of the process. Exercise components to aid in faster loss and maintenance have also been added to make the program more well-rounded and allow for long-term success. While weight gain after ending a diet is common, Nutrisystem puts a lot of components in place to ensure customers have as much success during as they do after.
Nutrisystem has added many support elements so that individuals will feel comfortable to seek advice and assistance once they are past the pre-made meal stage. All variations of the Nutrisystem plans fall under the SUCCESS program and tailored to each individual, whether that be diabetes, vegetarian, men’s needs, women’s needs, budget needs, or any other issues.
NUTRISYSTEM RESOURCES
Nutrisystem Channel on DietsInReview.com
NutriSystem Review at Everyday Health
Common Misspellings
Nutri System, Nutrasystem, Nutra system, Nutresystem, Nutrisystem.com, Nutrisytem, Nutrisytem, NutriSystem
DietsInReview.com is a paid affiliate of Nutrisystem, Inc.
Author
Featured Diets
Related Diets: Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Medifast , Nu-Kitchen Fresh for NutriSystem, NutriSystem Advanced, NutriSystem Advanced Silver , NutriSystem D, NutriSystem Flex, NutriSystem for Men, NutriSystem Select, Glycemic Index
User Feedback
(Page 4 of 12, 225 total comments)Cathy
Order was all wrong more trouble than it is worth to send it all back. Customer service was no help at all!!!!!
posted Jul 21st, 2011 10:45 amAnne
I got 3 different quotes from 3 different people. I really wanted to get started so I ordered a with I higher price than I was originally told. They assured me that they would replace food for items I was allergic to. When I got my shipment, it was 1/3 food that I was allergic to. When I called they told me they would have to charge me for any replacements. I was so frustrated that I cancelled the entire order. Nikea gave me a cancellation confirmation number so I thought it was taken care of. A month later and Still have not seen the refund. I called again and was told it was never entered. We will see. I never even tried the food, but based on the horrible experience I had with the sales people and customer service, I would never recommend this company. Did try Jenny Craig instead and have been thrilled with their customer service. It is definitely more expensive, but tastes pretty good and I am not usually hungry.
posted Jul 1st, 2011 1:32 pmLori
I tried nutrisystem in 2008 and lost 28 pounds. It was the only diet I ever went on that actually worked,yes it is a little expensive, with the veggies and dairy but if you stick to it it works, I dont think the food was horrible unless it changed that much. I am reordering today, i hope it works again for me.
posted Jun 28th, 2011 3:09 pmholly
Do not use this company, all they want is your money they do not care about anything else. our food was del. and left up by the door on a hot humid day for about 9 hours, when i got home i called because everthing had melted, she said leave it outside and ups will pick it up with in five day's, well poured that night and the whole box fell apart. well i put it in the trash now they say they can not refund me, i will go on fighting this.
posted Jun 23rd, 2011 9:54 amBetty
I've been on NS, the diabetic program, for 3 months. I've lost 35 pounds and my blood sugar has come WAY down (from mid 200's to low 100's). And I don't find the food unpalatable at all. You can customize your order, so anything I don't like I just don't order again, and anything I like I order more off on the next shipment. Customer service has been excellent, and there is a huge member support that is extremely helpful. Plus, I AM learning how to eat properly to keep the weight off when I reach goal. Yay, Nutrisystem!
posted Jun 16th, 2011 3:00 pmAmber
Their online support was horrible! I got on with two different people, the second guy didn't help at all, after back and forth and telling him nevermind, he kept trying to say there was a plan for me, which in fact, there wasn't within my budget and what I wanted to do. So I was irritated for staying on. They haven't stopped calling me either, they keep calling to leave msgs, after emails, chats and calls saying to stop. Horrible, horrible customer service. I realize this was probably just one of very few bad experiences, but their customer service has made me terribly angry.
posted Jun 6th, 2011 1:07 amBonnie Haas
Tried this diet and religiously followed it but after two weeks of this horrible food (except for my own fresh supplements) I didn't lose anything. The counselor was kind but the scale didn't budge even after her counseling. Decided to quit but the rep I called kept trying to find ways to keep me on the program. THEN he said I owe another $62.00 because I didn't follow through in the "two month" special...which wasn't made clear to me in the beginning. Very disappointing results. Shame on you, Marie Osmand!!
posted Jun 5th, 2011 12:54 pmKarina
Well I have to tell I am on the Silver program, because I have an underactive thyroid.
posted May 31st, 2011 7:24 pmThe food is sooooooooo nasty!! I basically load up on the hot sauce anytime I eat! Also I have heard that if you are on the NS system for a while you could end up Kidney problems..., just an fyi
ricky
I lost weight for sure. the food was decent but the convenience made it totally worth it.
posted May 31st, 2011 6:26 pmJane Ellis
WARNING: Nutrisystem offers a "full" refund but, in fact I paid $299.89 total ($279.94 plus 19.95 shipping) and only got back $240.04 AND had to pay for returning the box for a total loss of $79.80 and on my husband's separate order, we lost $98.75. Numerous phone calls have not helped although I returned both orders within 7 days. I have read reviews elsewhere and see that other people have had the same experience. We returned the orders because the food was terrible and because we thought we would get a true refund. DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY.
posted May 23rd, 2011 1:48 pmwhitney
it absolutely works if you follow it correctly. It is easy to follow as well, but the food is horrible!!! There are only a few things that are tolerable, and even if you customize your order you will get extremely tired of eating those same things over and over. They have a plan where you get these other foods added that are frozen. They are WAY better, but you only get a couple of weeks worth of it then your back to eating the other horrible food. Totally not worth it. I've tried it three times because I did lose the weight, but I couldn't handle the food. Won't be trying it again. Really want to lose weight? Get a booklet on what is acceptable for diabetics to eat. Any dietitian will have one or you can get it online. I had to eat that way while pregnant because I had gestational diabetes. I lost weight while pregnant! It is excellent for anyone to do, and it is easy to come up with many meals that taste great!
posted May 17th, 2011 11:31 amYou have to learn how to eat the right way. The right amount of carbs and the right portions. Doing this becomes a way of life, and you will lose weight and keep it off!
cjstar
Ordered online, chose items i might like. Order came one or two days later UPS. Was what I orderd. Got the veg and fruit from supermarket. Started today, so far so good. Going to modify next order slightly, order and then cancel before third order last call date.
posted May 16th, 2011 3:59 pmRhonda
Do not order this junk... I repeat DO NOT waste your money. The absolutely worst food I have ever put in my mouth. (and I ate school cafeteria food ). I returned one order , got a tracking number, followed directions and NEVER got my money back even after calling. Please find another diet plan. I do not know how anyone can say they like this food.
posted May 3rd, 2011 8:33 pmJohn
The food is convenient and well portioned. The cost isn't high and the supplement food isn't expensive either. If you can't stand the taste if this that is probably why you need a diet in the first place and it's never going to be healthy without exercise also. I'm a regular guy that has trouble dropping lbs and NS is great for me.
posted May 1st, 2011 2:28 amLarry Carter
I ordered NS for one month did not like the food and cancelled a couple weeks ago. This month I am still receiving food and being charged. They make it very difficult to cancel and send food back.
posted Apr 25th, 2011 2:17 pmPatti Memmer
I just want to know the cost.
posted Apr 17th, 2011 3:38 pmshirley coleman
I don't like the taste of the food, sometimes I even throw it up - and it taste even worse the second time around. I am going to cancel my order.
posted Apr 15th, 2011 12:25 pmLessie Nixon
I have used Nutrisystem successfully in the past, and have recommended it, but they now routinely fail to fill orders correctly - intentionally or through carelessness substantially reducing the number of foods ordered and replacing them with unwanted items. This raises questions about their concern for their customers. I recommend that anyone using the system keep a copy of orders made on line and open your shipments immediately.Perhaps the business has grown too big. I will help by being one less customer and work with more trustworthy organizations if I diet in the future.
posted Apr 13th, 2011 8:41 pmtoni
No offense but it's disgusting pretend food. I thought I'd be getting real food. All it was was packaging and bubble wrap. Sodium and yuk. I thought about sending it back but I didn't want to pick it out of the garbage. Heat things up and take two bites then dump it. So that's the science you pay for. yuk yuk yuk.blaaaaaaaaaaa.. No only that you still have to buy your fruits and vegetables to add to the diet. So forget buying it period and just buy your fruits and vegetables and don't waste your money on this crap.
posted Apr 11th, 2011 11:18 amVickie
The food isn't fantastic, but it's not terrible, and you can just order the things you like. It actually called for me to eat more than I wanted to, so there was never any "starving." I lost 50 pounds in 6 months, and I"ve kept it off. Best HEALTHY diet ever.
posted Apr 6th, 2011 6:01 pm