As the population of overweight and obese people steadily increases, weight loss businesses have become a common staple in society. Although losing weight is a seemingly simple endeavor that requires you to eat less and exercise more, some individuals need assistance mustering and maintaining enough motivation to achieve their goal. Nutrisystem is one type of commercial dieting program designed to help people lose weight while providing needed support.
Nutrisystem Features
Nutrisystem is the name of both a company and its weight loss program, which revolves around prepackaged food that helps you control portions. The business used to have physical locations, but transitioned to an online experience that allows customers to buy food and receive guidance over the Internet. After selecting a preferred food plan that suits their needs, customers order the related food shipment containing 28 days of food for breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts and snacks. Customers then follow the associated meal plan, supplementing Nutrisystem food with allowed items purchased from a store. Purchases are typically perishable food, such as dairy products and fresh fruit and vegetables.
Food Plans
As of 2010, Nutrisystem offers eight different meal plans -- half for men and half for women -- tailored to satisfy distinct dietary requirements. The four main plans are basic, diabetic, silver and vegetarian. The basic plan is a general purpose plan for people with no special needs; the silver plan targets individuals older than age 65; the diabetic plan includes low-sugar food appropriate for people who have diabetes; and the vegetarian plan emphasizes non-animal protein sources for people who do not eat meat. (See Reference 4)
Benefits
Nutrisystem food shipments arrive in convenient serving-sized portions and require no detailed cooking preparation or even refrigeration, according to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. As a result, the food is extremely easy and fast to prepare, which makes the Nutrisystem approach especially useful for people who do not have the time or desire to focus on cooking special meals to help them lose weight. Having portions determined for you can also help you learn what true serving sizes are, which may help you avoid overeating eventually.
Effectiveness
The Nutrisystem program is a short-term, low-glycemic system, explains Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. It assumes eating carbohydrates and other foods that do not increase your blood sugar quickly can help you remain full for longer periods of time. People who follow the program tend to lose about 2 lbs. each week, which is a safe amount. However, they may have difficulty continuing that rate of weight loss or keeping lost weight off if they stop eating prepackaged Nutrisystem food and eat normal meals.
Considerations
Although the prepackaged food is an advantage of the Nutrisystem program, that convenience comes at a price. Individual shipments cost several hundred dollars, and regular purchases adds up quickly. Moreover, eating prepackaged food is not a practice people can continue for long periods. Since weight loss plans are most effective when they teach you how to change your eating habits for life, the transition from Nutrisystem to normal eating again may not be smooth.
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