Nutrisystem is one of many weight-loss programs that claims it can help you lose weight quickly. But it has an added benefit of being a little healthier than most, because it teaches you about portion control and how to select the proper foods to eat healthy.
It’s hard to decide which weight-loss programs to trust when so many of them come across as more gimmicky than useful. Should you spend your hard-earned dollars on Nutrisystem?
The best way to understand a diet system thoroughly is to do as much research on it first as possible. Read in-depth reviews, talk to those who have used it before, and take advantage of a free trial if it’s available.
As you learn more about a program like Nutrisystem, you’ll figure out whether it’s the right one for you. To help you make your decision, here are six reasons many people have found Nutrisystem to be the ideal weight loss program for them.
1. Enjoy the Convenience of Pre-Prepared Meals
If you’ve tried dieting on your own in the past, you might be aware that one of the biggest threats to your diet is feeling too lazy or too busy to plan meals in advance, prep, and cook healthy options. It’s hard to keep fresh produce and meat on hand all the time, and eating out is rarely a smart option for people who are serious about losing weight.
Nutrisystem has put the kibosh on this challenge. It does all the work for you: Each meal is pre-prepared in suitable portions. You’ll enjoy a variety of delicious foods delivered to your door without any of the work that usually comes with preparing a healthy meal.
2. Eat Healthier Foods
You don’t have to say goodbye to pizza, ice cream, cheeseburgers, muffins, and other favorite foods. Nutrisystem lets you eat your favorites without artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners and with only limited preservatives.
You’ll primarily eat lean proteins, produce, and fiber so you feel filled up. The temptation to eat unhealthy foods will be reduced from your meal prep because it’s all done for you.
3. Learn Portion Control
Most dieticians agree that moderation and portion control are the essential keys to a successful diet. A recent study from the journal Obesity found that people who ate portion-controlled, prepackaged meals such as those furnished by Nutrisystem, lost an average of five pounds more in 12 weeks than those who followed a diet in which they prepared their own meals.
You can eat a little bit of everything if you don’t eat too much. Nutrisystem takes care of the portions for you, which makes it easier to put less food on your plate and stick with your diet.
4. Delicious Food with Real Results
It’s true that the food you get is prepared with less oil, sugars, and fats, which will certainly change the flavors of some of your favorite dishes. But most Nutrisystem users report that the food still tastes great, while it usually curbs their cravings.
Aside from delicious foods for your meals, there are also a variety of snacks and desserts to choose from, including ice cream, cupcakes, cookies, pretzels, muffins, and more. The best part is that people report significant results when they used Nutrisystem.
On average, people lose about 11.6 pounds and eight inches when they employ the Nutrisystem plan in the first month of the program. The inches lost are cumulative measurements of your hips, chest, thighs, waist, and arms.
5. Small Meals Boost Your Metabolism
Many studies, including one from Duke University, show that small, frequent meals are better for your metabolism. If you eat smaller, fewer meals a day, you can repair the damage done by unhealthy eating habits and lose weight faster.
Experts recommend eating six small meals a day instead of three large ones. Nutrisystem follows the pattern advised in these studies. You’ll eat on a slightly different schedule, which may take some getting used to at first. But it can be a huge advantage for your overall goals.
6. Banished Hunger and Cravings
Because you’re eating small meals more frequently throughout the day, you’re less likely to feel hungry. The meals are portioned perfectly for your body’s needs, and they’re spread out throughout the day to limit hunger pains.
When you banish hunger, you’ll also experience fewer cravings. If you experience a hankering for a favorite snack, chances are you can find a healthier version through the Nutrisystem options.
So … should you spend your money on Nutrisystem? The cost seems like a sizable downside. Depending on your dietary needs, it can cost several hundred dollars a month to subscribe to the system.
If you consider the fact that you’re eliminating restaurant dining and grocery shopping, however, the cost is not likely to be much more than your regular budget, with much greater benefits.