Nutrisystem is a diet plan that is endorsed by Marie Osmond and former NFL star Dan Marino. The Nutrisystem method is based on your meals being planned for you by nutrition experts. Upon signing up for one of the various weight loss plans, you will start to receive monthly food deliveries of healthy microwaveable meals and packaged snacks. These provide the bulk of your diet but you are allowed, and advised, to supplement the plan with fresh groceries. The plan is largely based around low glycemic index foods and portion control.
Plans
Nutrisystem offers diet plans for men and women. It offers a basic plan for men and women under 65 years old. It offers "silver plans" for people older than 65 as well as options for vegetarians. The basic and silver plans give a choice of more than 150 foods while the vegetarian plans offer more than 90 choices. There is a premium "select plan" that offers fresh-frozen gourmet meals. Nutrisystem also offers a separate plan for those with Type 2 diabetes that focuses on controlling blood sugar levels as well as weight loss. All of the meal plans allow you to eat six times daily, which includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert and two snacks.
Weight Loss
Nutrisystem helps you lose weight because of portion control. It lets you eat pastas, muffins and desserts, but in smaller servings than you may be used to. By allowing you to eat six times a day, Nutrisystem claims that its plans prevent "cravings" although for many, the drop in calorie intake may result in hunger in the beginning. Nutrisystem's success stories talk of losing 50 lbs. and more, but it points out that these are not typical results. Nutrisystem states that with its plan you can expect to lose at least 1 to 2 lbs. per week.
Nutrition
The Nutrisytem diet focuses on avoiding carbohydrates that are high on the glycemic index. These low G.I carbohydrates are broken down more slowly and don't cause the jump in insulin levels that is observed with high glycemic foods. This is thought to keep you from feeling hungry soon after a meal and so aids weight loss as well as energy levels. As well as providing your required protein, the Nutrisystem plan is high in fiber and low in sodium.
Lifestyle
Simplicity is a clear strength of Nutrisystem. Because nutritionists have already told you what to eat, there isn't the need to analyze packages, count calories or use up a lot of time. The microwaveable meals are quick, easy and nutritious, and are appealing to those with busy lifestyles. Perhaps the most complicated part of Nutrisystem is finding room in the pantry to put a month's supplies.
A Typical Nutrisystem Day
A typical day's food from Nutrisystem may start with blueberry muffins or granola cereal followed by a late-morning yogurt or fruit snack. For lunch you might eat a chicken salad or a fettuccine alfredo followed by an afternoon snack, perhaps string cheese. Your dinner could be chicken and noodles or meatloaf and mashed potato at dinner and a fudge brownie or chocolate chip cookie for dessert.
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