Nutrisystem is a diet program for weight loss which delivers food to your home or office so you do not have to prepare meals or figure out a menu plan. The program offers free online support with a Nutrisystem counselor and online community and tools for tracking your progress. While on the program you also need to purchase extra foods called Fresh Groceries for Every Day. Remember to get your doctor's approval before starting a diet.
Fruits and Vegetables
Every day on Nutrisystem, you should eat fresh fruits and vegetables as part of your extra foods. Nutrisystem recognizes the importance of including fruits and vegetables in a healthy diet, and the program encourages you to work with your Nutrisystem counselor to come up with some that you like to eat. Most fruits and vegetables are high in fiber, and you can snack on them to decrease your hunger without adding too many calories to your diet plan. Nutrisystem states you can eat unlimited amounts of zucchini, watercress, radishes and hot pepper. You can have fruits such as apples, plums and cherries, as well as vegetables such as broccoli, carrots and tomatoes. Nutrisystem promises to provide advice for adding fruits and vegetables into your day in the Meal Planner, which you can access once you sign up for the program.
Dairy and Protein
Some of your extra foods to eat with Nutrisystem are dairy or dairy alternatives and protein foods. Dairy products are high in protein, and they provide calcium for strong bones. Choose reduced-fat options to keep the calories and unhealthy saturated fat low. Possibilities include skim milk, yogurt without added sugar, reduced-fat cheese and fat-free cottage cheese. If you are lactose intolerant or don't like dairy products, you can have soy milk or soy cheese. For your protein, choose lean sources to help reduce hunger. You can have animal-based foods such as egg whites, chicken, turkey, tuna and shrimp, or you can choose vegetarian options such as tempeh, tofu, seitan, a wheat-based meat substitute, and edamame beans.
Good Carbs and Fats
Extra foods on Nutrisystem include healthy carbohydrates and fats. Nutrisystem uses low-glycemic carbohydrates, or carbs, which means they do not make your blood sugar spike too much. These foods are typically high in fiber and nutrients. You can have beans, multigrain bread or sweet potatoes.
Healthy fats are unsaturated and from plant-based sources, and some of your options with Nutrisystem are peanut butter, almond, avocados and salad dressing. The 2005 Dietary Guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommend that individuals with high blood pressure limit sodium to 1,500mg per day, and Nutrisystem plans have about 1,800 to 2,000mg sodium. Some of the options for good carbs and fats are high in sodium, so choose them carefully if you are concerned about your sodium intake. Bread, peanut butter and salad dressing are higher in sodium than oatmeal, plain peanuts and canola oil.
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