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NutriSystem® |
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Introduction & Overview |
NutriSystem® is a weight loss program that appears to be based largely on portion-control through prepared foods. This program includes 28 prepackaged meals, which are delivered to the dieter’s door. It claims to be “very easy to follow” and includes a Meal Planner that instructs the dieter on what they can eat. The Website states that “because our meals are perfectly portioned, there is never any weighing, measuring or calories and points to count.” The diet claims to emphasize low Glycemic Index in its foods.
While many individuals may take comfort in relying on prepackaged, “perfectly portioned” foods in order to lose weight, this may be an unhelpful crutch in the long term. Diet plans that restrict portions and seem to allow dieters to avoid decision-making may ultimately fail to equip them with important skills. We will assess this program for its ability to foster the type of behaviors that lead to lasting, effective weight loss. Finally, we will discuss some of the consumer comments about the taste of this program’s food, keeping in mind that unpalatable food may cause a diet program to fail for some.
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| Pros |
• No weigh-ins, in-person visits necessary
• At time of review, offers various “free” promotions
• Foods delivered to dieter’s home
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| Cons |
• Portion control may not enable “real world” decisions
• Various “free” offers on Website are a bit confusing
• “Meal Planner” may train dieters away from practical decision-making
• Some consumers claim the food tastes poorly
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| Concept |
This program is based on the concept of convenience through prepared foods and diet plans. The NutriSystem® Meal Planner “outlines your meals and snacks for you.” This is presented as an advantage for the dieter because it does not require counting, measuring, or weighing foods. While this may be helpful during the initial weight loss phase, it may be problematic during maintenance. Once in a “real world” setting, the dieter may find that their portions are no longer pre-determined for them, and they will need to make those decisions themselves. It is at that point that the annoying “counting, measuring and weighing” factors may become necessary. This program delivers all meals to the dieter’s home, and the foods do not need to be frozen or refrigerated. This program also offers a “free membership” which includes counseling, chat rooms, and other features.
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| Website |
This product’s Website is very detailed, but we found some of the information to be confusing. In particular, the various “Special Offer!” promotions seemed overwhelming. At the time of review, the site offers a free week of food, a “free membership”, and a “bonus” exercise plan. Additional purchasing options include a “bill me later” program and a monthly payment plan. It seems to take a while to wade through all of these “free” or “special” options to discover the actual bottom-line price of the program. This price appears to be around $293.72 with “Auto Delivery savings” and $326.36 without, at time of review.
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| Customer Feedback |
One online discussion board included some negative comments about NutriSystem®, and in particular about the taste of the food. One dieter said, “I recently signed up for the NutriSystem® Nourish™ thirty-day meal plan. After one week, I am sending the remainder of the food back. This is the most horrible stuff I have ever tasted in my life. After gagging my way through the dinner entrees, I have decided I cannot stand it another minute.” Another message board participant wrote, “The food on NutriSystem® is horrible. It’s so bad that when I got it, I only stayed on it 3 days.” There are many other comments posted about the plan online.
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| Conclusion |
This program’s portion control approach may aid in short-term weight loss, but ultimately, it seems to deprive the dieter of necessary decision-making skills. Because in real life, people rarely have sensible portions pre-measured for them, it may be important to learn how to use good judgment. In addition, some complaints about this program’s food may make this diet difficult to stick to.
There are currently weight loss supplements available that boost metabolism and curb appetite through natural ingredients, while on any diet. The most popular supplements enable dieters to continue to eat flavorful meals while losing weight. The most reputable manufacturers of these supplements welcome dieters via telephone and some even offer free samples for evaluation.
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