Nutrisystem is a low-calorie diet that focuses on low glycemic index carbohydrates. Upon signing up for the Nutrisystem diet, the company provides a food package designed to last 28 days. The delivery is made up of ready meals, snacks and meal planners. Nutrisystem claims that the meal plans provide a healthful balanced diet but stresses that supplementary groceries are needed. Fresh foods such as fruit and vegetables are required in order to fulfill your allowances of important vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.
Fruits and Vegetables
Nutrisystem lists orange juice as a fruit to add to your shopping list alongside apples, cherries and plums. These and other fruits are vital to your diet because they bring vitamin C, potassium, dietary fiber and other nutrients. You are also told to eat vegetables such as broccoli and carrots, and Nutrisystem encourages you to eat as much zucchini, watercress, radishes and hot peppers as you like. Vegetables are an important source of dietary fiber while also providing minerals such as iron and potassium and various vitamins.
Dairy Products
Dairy products such as low-fat milk, low-fat cheese and yogurt are encouraged by Nutrisystem. These products provide calcium, an important part of any healthy diet. Calcium helps strengthen bones and teeth and can help prevent problems such as osteoporosis. Dairy products such as milk also provide vitamin D, another key nutrient in maintaining healthy bones. Many dairy products also contain a significant amount of protein, therefore helping you to reach your daily requirement.
Protein
Nutrisystem's meals provide protein in the form of meat, fish and veggie burgers. It does, however, allow you to add to the main bulk of the diet with protein-rich foods. Traditional sources include white meats, shrimp and eggs while alternatives include edamame, tofu and tempeh. Protein is necessary for all cells in the body and is important for muscle growth. A mixture of plant proteins and meat proteins ensures that you obtain all your amino acids.
Carbs and Fats
The carbohydrates allowed to supplement your Nutrisystem diet must be low on the glycemic index. Nutrisystem recommends kidney beans, oatmeal and multi-grain bread. These must be eaten in small portions as advised by Nutrisystem in its "meal planner." The diet also can be supplemented with healthful fats such as those found in avocado, almonds and peanut butter, although these should also be consumed in small quantities as recommended by the meal planner.
Matching Foods
Often the main meals of Nutrisystem will be without vegetables and so it recommends adding a green vegetable such as broccoli or legumes. Other fresh groceries may be consumed as one or two of your daily snacks. Yogurt, eggs, nuts and fruit should be your main tools in keeping hunger at bay through out the day rather than the vending machine chocolate.
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