Nutrisystem Diet Review

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NutriSystem

Company Background

This company has undergone many transformations since its beginnings in 1972. The firm was in 1990 the second largest commercial weight loss chain in the United States, behind only Weight Watchers. The company had operations in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. It operated through more than 500 company-owned and franchised weight loss centers.

The company struggled financially for a few years before emerging under new management and marketing. Rapid growth since 2003, fueled by heavy advertising, has resulted in $568 million in sales for 2006 - second only to Weight Watchers.

NutriSystem is a much different operation today, operating mainly via the company website on the Internet and by direct mail. It also sells its company brand of diet food via the QVC cable TV channel and is testing sales via General Nutrition stores and larger retailers such as Wal-Mart. No "bricks and mortar" weight loss centers are open.

The Plan

Do you hate driving to a weight loss center several times each week? Rather have portion controlled diet food home delivered, order it online or via phone, anonymously, with access to a variety of counselors by phone?

This is not a low carb plan per se. People using this diet plan may order portion controlled diet food entrees (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks) via the Web, as well as make use of personalized weight loss plans and one-on-one counseling and behavior modification services. This program includes 3 meals a day plus snacks (120+ items) replacing most of the regular food you might buy. However, you do have to buy fruit, milk and vegetables. So, you should add the cost of these items to your total food bill, in addition to the $280/month for company diet foods. No meal replacements are used.

Customers don't have to count calories or points, or deal with complex recipes under this diet plan. It’s all done for you. The counseling service comes free with your food order, by people that have gone through company training. Weight loss counselors may be dietitians, nurses, health educators, fitness instructors, or others, sometimes with a college degree.

During late, 2003, the program was revamped to include a lot of new entrees. The food itself was changed, to include more "good carbohydrates". It's now a low glycemic program, with greater focus on complex carbohydrates. The low glycemic index carbs in the new NutriSystem Nourish foods break down slowly and stay in your system longer. The result is that you feel full for a longer period of time and experience fewer cravings.

This diet plan is similar to Jenny Craig in that you must use the company's diet food instead of grocery store foods. If you like the convenience of having healthy diet meals delivered right to your door with no preparation on your part, this diet plan may work for you.

The typical NutriSystem client is a 44 year old woman who weighs 210 lbs. and who needs to lose 60 lbs. Customers typically stay on the plan 10 or 11 weeks. After that (reaching their goal weight), analysts claim that only 7% of clients come back--the "retention rate." At a weight loss rate of 2 lbs. per week, if the typical client spent $280/month for company food and shipping for four months, they’d spend about $1,100.

In Dec. 2004, the company launched 3 new programs, with customized programs now available for: men, vegetarians, and those suffering from Type II diabetes. This year, the company will also be offering a plan for seniors called NutriSystem Silver.

Low Carb

The information on this web site is intended for information purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Before starting any weight loss program, it is recommended that you consult your physician or other health care professional.