According to 2008 research by nutrition experts J. Anderson, L.Young, and J.Roach of Colorado State University, 50 million Americans go on a diet each year. Of those people, only about 5 percent keep the weight off. Despite these figures, commercial weight loss programs, such as Nutrisystem, continue to thrive. Nutrisystem is a prepackaged, healthy meal delivery program designed to help you lose weight.
History
Nutrisystem is a weight-loss program that was started in 1972 and, as of 2010, is one of the most popular online diet programs available, according to DietsinReview.com. In 1999, Nutrisystem became a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ index under the name NTRI. That same year, Nutrisystem's website was launched, which is now the focus of the company.
Types
Nutrisystem offers several programs through its website, designed to meet specific dietary needs. The plans available, as of 2010, include the Nutrisystem Advanced Plan, Select Plan, Flex Plan, Nourish Program, D Plan for diabetics, Vegetarian meal plan, a plan specifically for men or women and the Nu-Kitchen Fresh Plan. Each plan features well-balanced, low-calorie meals that you select through the online menu.
How it Works
Nutrisystem is different than other commercial weight loss programs in that it offers prepackaged meals delivered to you, so it may be convenient option for busy people or those who prefer not to cook. You select 28 days worth of food at a time, and you must also purchase various food items to go along with your meals from the grocery store, according to Nutrisystem's recommendations. As a Nutrisystem member, you also have access to exercise resources, a weight loss tracker, counselors and a money-back guarantee.
Portion Size
The Nutrisystem diet program focuses on healthy, low-calorie meals. According to DietsinReview.com, the women's plans are focuses around a 1,200-calorie-per-day meal plan and the men's are based on 1,500 calories each day. This equates to relatively small portion sizes, and is within the caloric recommendations for weight loss spelled out in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Each meal is portioned out to be about 55 percent carbohydrates, 25 percent healthy fats and 20 percent protein.
Considerations
Although the Nutrisystem weight-loss plan has been shown to be effective in the short term, there is a risk of gaining the weight back in the long term, as is the case with any commercial diet program, according to the nutrition experts at Colorado State University. In addition, you must consider the cost of the Nutrisystem program, including its cost over the long term, to be sure that it fits within your budget. You should also consult your doctor before trying this weight-loss program to be sure that it's a good choice for you.
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