What To Look For
When choosing a weight loss delivery food service, look at sample menus for the plan to make sure it includes foods you like and can eat. Most plans allow you to choose foods from a predetermined list so you're not stuck with a meal you dislike, and many plans offer vegetarian and kosher options. Of course, make sure the plan you choose fits your budget and offers support either online or by phone. The highest-rated plans include Nutri-System, Bistro MD and eDiets Fresh.
Common Pitfalls
The most common pitfall is not realizing the full cost. Most programs charge a fee to join, a separate cost for the food and another charge for shipping. Shipping can be quite costly because the food is perishable and must be shipped quickly. Many people fail to realize how much more expensive than home-cooking these plans can be. Also, realize that your shipment includes all of your food for the week, no cheating. If you overeat, you will incur additional food costs. If you eat foods outside of the plan, your results will suffer.
Where To Buy
Diet food delivery services maintain websites that allow you to sign up, customize your plan and choose your menu. You pay for your food online, and it is delivered to your door. Some of the larger national plans also have brick-and-mortar support centers that offer weight loss and nutritional counseling. These centers allow you to sign up in person, and may carry a small selection of the diet meals. Some big-box stores like Wal-Mart and Target carry small starter kits.
Cost
All delivery diet plans are more expensive than preparing your own meals at home. As of 2010, Nutri-System cost $333 plus $20 shipping for four weeks' worth of meals. Bistro MD delivers weekly, at $180 plus $25 shipping, and eDiets Fresh costs about $100 per week plus $20 shipping.
Comparison Shopping
Nutri-System is the most recognized plan, famous for both their track record and support. Many people have found long-lasting success with this plan because it teaches you how to eat healthfully instead of just dieting. Bistro MD varies your calorie count from day to day, preventing a weight loss plateau and generating slightly faster results for some dieters. The meals are reported to be better-tasting than most diet plans. The meals from eDiets Fresh include fresh ingredients packed in dry ice, so you are not limited to microwaveable frozen meals. Although the online support system and the food itself get favorable reviews, the diet's effectiveness is unknown.
Accessories
Buy an accurate scale and a tape measure to chart your progress. Invest in a set of smaller dishes; many diet portions are quite small, and eating them from a smaller plate visually tricks you into feeling like you are eating more. Purchasing a new pair of sneakers may encourage you to get out and get moving, which will give your weight loss progress an added boost.
Insider Tips
Sample the food from each diet plan by ordering just a week's worth of food at first. This allows you to determine which one suits your taste and doesn't leave you feeling hungry. Most programs offer a trial period for just this purpose. During your trial period, explore the plan's support system to see if it works for you. Numerous studies have shown that dieters with a large support network are more successful at both losing the weight and keeping it off.
Member Comments