If you’re looking for the simplest approach to dieting, the Nutrisystem diet might be your best option. With three Nutrisystem meals and one snack, this weight loss plan takes all the guesswork out of dieting. Mixing good portion control with a low-calorie diet, Nutrisystem can help you lose up to 2 pounds per week.
In order to get the results you want, you’ll have buy almost everything you eat from Nutrisystem (breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts) and simply add fresh produce to the heat-and-eat meals.
Pros of the Nutrisystem Diet
If your ideal weight loss plan is one that gets results while also saving you a lot of time and effort, you’ll love the Nutrisystem diet.
Delivers on Its 1-2 Pounds a Week Weight-Loss Goal
While the weight loss plan is focused on foods with a low-glycemic index, it’s the calorie restriction that’s responsible for the great weight loss effect. Most dieters will lose between one and two pounds every week on the Nutrisystem diet.
No More Worrying About What to Eat
With three meals provided every day, you only have to worry about supplementing your diet with basic fruits and vegetables, or nuts and dairy. If you like the hands-on approach, you can manually select all your meals for a month (with over 30 options for each one), but you can also buy a 28-day supply based on taste favorites of other Nutrisystem dieters.
Very Convenient
With special meals plans for women, men, people older than 60 and teens between 14 and 17, the Nutrisystem diet plan eliminates almost all cooking. The packaged meals can be a great time-saver, and drastically reduce the spent grocery shopping or preparing meals.
More: Pros and Cons of the Slim Fast Diet
Nutritionally Sound
Numerous studies have shown that the diet is nutritionally sound and doesn’t involve any health risks, as long as you choose the right plan. With protein, carbs, fat and salt all in line with current guidelines, the Nutrisystem diet offers quick results without any downsides.
No Exercise Requiered
While the Nutrisystem diet encourages you to exercise at least 30 minutes per day (which can be split into three 10 minute sessions). However, the diet also delivers weight loss benefits even for people who unable or too busy to exercise.
Access to Recipes
If after a month you’re getting tired of the prepackaged meal, you can join active online community which offers plenty of Nutrisystem diet recipes that stick to the dietary rules while allowing you to experiment more with taste. You can also purchase cookbooks or get help by phone when you’re trying to cook more meals.
Cons of the Nutrisystem Diet
The biggest downsides to the weight loss plan are about what you’d expect from a diet in which you get your meals delivered and have to adhere to strict rules.
See also: Everything You Need to Know About the Spark Solution Diet
No More Eating Out and No Alcohol
Eating at restaurants is discouraged, at least in the first month of dieting, when you should stick to the Nutrisystem meal plan. However, diet books offer tips on how to find the healthiest options from a menu when you’re eating out. Alcoholic beverages also fall into the category of don’ts, but enjoying a single glass from time to time won’t affect your weight loss plan substantially.
Can Get Expensive
The different Nutrisystem diet plans can vary in cost, but for a month of food, you should expect to pay no less than $250 and no more than $350. You can go for cheaper options with only pantry food, but the frozen foods offered in the Nutrisystem diet deliver more flavor. You’ll also have some expenses from grocery shopping, but they’re much smaller than for most diets.
Transition to a Healthy Long-Term Solution May Difficult
While the Nutrisystem diet is very efficient in the short term, transitioning to a long-term solution in which you cook most of your meals can be tricky. The convenience of having meals delivered will certainly make it harder to stick to the dietary guidelines once you start cooking more.
It’s Not for Everybody
Lacto-ovo-vegetarians and people suffering from diabetes have their own diet plans, but if you’re a vegan, allergic to peanuts or soy, or simply trying to stay gluten-free, one of the sad Nutrisystem diet facts is that no plan can be adapted to your dietary needs. Pregnant women and children under 14 are also advised against following this diet.