The Nutrisystem Diet: All You Need To Know

The company behind Nutrisystem may have started out as a retail store presence offering weight loss counseling, but ever since it made the big jump to  being a direct-to-consumer business model in 1999, the Nutrisystem Diet has become the answer for many of the issues that have plagued people with weight gain problems.

The Nutrisystem Diet 

The Nutrisystem Diet plan features an integration of low Glycemic Index carbohydrates into a low fat, high fiber meal plan. The Nutrisystem meals is based on the idea that foods ranking low on the glycemic scale help stabilize blood sugar and reduce cravings.

Dieters shoose from more than 120 entrees and desserts made up of 55% carbohydrates, 25% protein and 20% fat. Most of the Nutrisystem meals are lower in saturated trans fats and sodium.

Meals are chosen and delivered via mail from the Internet-based program and are conveniently heated in a microwave oven. Th monthly shipments of food include 28 breakfasts, 28 lunches, 28 dinners and 28 desserts.

Nutrisystem 1200 calorie meal plan

• Breakfast: Nutrisystem entree, 1 serving fruit and 1 serving dairy or protein

• Lunch: Nutrisystem lunch entree, 1 serving salad, 1 serving dairy or protein, 2 tbs. fat-free salad dressing

• Snack: 1 serving fruit, 1 dairy or protein serving

• Dinner: Nutrisystem dinner entree, 2 vegetable servings, 1 salad or fruit serving, 1 fat serving

• Dessert: Nutrisystem dessert

In addition to receiving the prepared meals, dieters are encouraged to learn to modify their eating behaviors as well. They are given a 12-week, self-guided Mindset Makeover behavioral guide written by Temple University obesity expert Gary Foster, PhD, which addresses everything from curbing cravings to the importance of social support.

Exercise is recommended while following the Nutrisystem Diet plan, and demonstration CDs are included in their fitness plans which they can tailor to their various fitness levels. Options include aerobics, yoga and resistance training programs.

The Skinny

Nutrisystem has helped millions of people lose weight on its portion-controlled, calorie-controlled pre-packaged meals, and is one of the first diets that earned its marks by offering a convenient way with its meal deivery service.As successful as this program is, it does not teach how to diet and prepare healthy meals. Often, individuals gain weight as soon as they stop using the program.