Nutri System Weight Loss

Nutrisystem is a diet delivery program that combines prepared meals with a few additional groceries to help you lose weight without counting calories. Nutrisystem for weight loss is a low-glycemic index diet to prevent spikes in your blood sugar levels. Get your doctor's approval before you start Nutrisystem or any diet program for weight loss, and choose a diet that you think can help you lose weight and maintain your goal weight for years. Cost for four weeks of food ranges from about $115 to $300, depending on the plan and specials offered.

Diet Basics

Nutrisystem has programs for men and women, with options for older adults, vegetarians and individuals with diabetes. You receive a weekly shipment of your Nutrisystem meals, and you supplement them with suggested foods that you purchase for yourself at the grocery store. Nutrisystem claims that its programs are designed to help you lose at least 1 to 2 lbs. per week, although your individual results may vary. The program claims to prevent hunger because you eat four to five times per day and it is high in fiber.

Internet Tools

Nutrisystem is an internet-based diet program because its support is provided online, not in face-to-face sessions. A study in the journal "Obesity" found that internet-based programs are cost-effective for weight loss. Nutrisystem allows you to chat online with a live customer service representative 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and Nutrisystem weight loss counselors can answer your questions about making substitutions to your meal plans. If you create an online account, you can track your weight loss progress and plan your meals. The community of other Nutrisystem members can help you stay motivated if you join in discussions or challenges.

Average Weight Loss

When you evaluate the effectiveness of a diet for weight loss, it is important not only to look at the diet's claims, but also what the reality is. According to "Market Wire," a research study found that the average Nutrisystem participant lost nearly 20 lbs. in 12 weeks, which is within Nutrisystem's claims for 1 to 2 lbs. per week. These 20 lbs. meant about an 11 percent loss of body weight compared to the average Nutrisystem client's starting weight.

Weight Maintenance

Beside helping you lose weight to get to your goal weight, a good diet program should prevent you from regaining the weight in the future. Once you reach your goal weight, you can switch into the Nutrisystem Balance program for maintenance. On Nutrisystem Balance, you continue to eat Nutrisystem foods. A potential drawback of choosing Nutrisystem for weight loss may occur if you ever decide to leave the program and cook for yourself again. Since Nutrisystem does not teach you how to cook healthy recipes for yourself, you may return to your former eating habits and regain the weight that you lost.

References

Article reviewed by Billie Jo Jannen Last updated on: Feb 26, 2011

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