NutriSystem: A Complete Review

I've been on Nutrisystem for exactly two weeks and I have lost nearly nine pounds. It *does* work, and the food isn't so bad...especially the breakfasts and the lunches. The dinners, however, are a different story, as it's mostly sauce and not enough actual food. Some of the dinners are excellent, such as the vegetarian lasagne, but some of the other dishes, like the pasta fagioli I found rather bland (despite the salt content).

The important thing you should take away from Nutrisystem (apart from the glycemic index, which I choose to ignore) is PORTION CONTROL. Or at least, controlling the amount of high-calorie foods you consume in a day. Nutrisystem food (breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack) combined only equals to about 680~750 calories. You have to, however, add on some protein (such as eggs, dairy, lean meats, legumes), and fresh vegetables and fruit to get a minimum of 1200 calories per day. You'll be a bit hungry at first, but you'll soon get used to eating in small amounts and you'll become fuller faster.

I highly doubt I'll buy another month's supply of Nutrisystem. They have a wide variety of entrees and it is extremely convenient, but the plan becomes very expensive after the first month. I've learned portion control and appreciation for fresh vegetables through NS, however, and that is worth the $220 I paid for the program. As I've mentioned before, the quality of the food is equal to most of the canned entrees you find at the supermarket, or at times much better.

If you plan on getting NS, stay clear of the powdered eggs!! You're much better off eating an actual egg - NS powdered eggs don't include any extra vitamins or minerals, and they have around the same cholesterol content as real eggs. The only difference is that it tastes pretty bad, unless you make an omelette out of it and eat it very very hot straight off the griddle.

I will continue the pre-packaged convenience diet though (I have a hectic schedule and don't have time to cook at all)...but will opt for Lean Cuisine frozen meals as it contains no preservatives and is cheaper (most NS dinner entrees run in the $4.00~6.00 range, believe it or not), with a greater variety than NS.

I have been on Nutrisystem for 5 weeks. I had previously been on a low-carb diet and lost 35 pounds but worried it was not good to be eating low carb long term, so I decided to try NS. I am hungry constantly and I just cannot believe these foods are really low glycemic index. If you read the ingredients, especially on the desserts and breakfasts, the second ingredient listed is usually sugar! Ingredients are listed in order of the amount that is in the food, so this means there is a lot of sugar. I cannot believe this is low GI food but think the secret is portion size. I really think it's just "regular food" in tiny portions (although they say they use only whole grains). I have lost 9 pounds and I do think it is a good thing for people to learn what a portion size should be, so that (plus the convenience of not having to cook for myself) is why I have not quit the diet. The bloating/gas is almost unbearable as well, but I figure I can stick with it for a few months and then (hopefully) be able to eat the same foods as my family, just in appropriate serving sizes.

what do you do if you HAVE to go to the restaurant and eat there, like with your customers or co-workers, while on NS?

Hi - my husband and I are required to eat out at least twice a week due to his work. I always order a chef's salad with shrimp or grilled chicken (fat-free dressing, no cheese). If we are eating somewhere that has a salad bar, that's what I get, without croutons, cheese, etc. I fill up on the broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, lettuce, cucumbers, etc. I have no problem doing this and still lose 1-2 pounds a week. You just have to make sure you mark off your salad and vegetable servings from your food journal. Also, when they send your food, you get a booklet with suggestions for eating out and food substitutions.

I've been on it for about a week with the weekends off diet. The breakfasts so far have been good, lunches have been okay, and dinners are pretty okay. I didn't enjoy the raspberry chocolate bar, however, i dont like raspberry chocolate. I don't have time much to plan meals or portion them out and if i cook for myself i want to eat everything i fix. It is a pain sometimes to get the support food, but i use the fat servings in the meal planner with celery to eat some peanut butter and celery as a pre-dessert. I've lost about 2lbs by 5 days on the diet and 2 days on my own, and about 30lbs more to lose :).

I always think it is so funny to read comments like these, way too much griping. Clearly we are all chubby or would not be here! I have been on NS for two full weeks and I think the ease of the foods is great and for pre-packaged food I think they are very good. I have never eaten so many fruits and vegetables and that is a good habit to get into. I have lost 9 pounds and feel wonderful. I am back walking, sleeping better, and drinking water, how can this not be good for you?

I've was on from August thru November 2006 and lost 40 lbs of the 60 I needed to lose. I had some foods I liked and some I didn't, but you get to choose what you want and if you don't like it, they'll send something else. With each 10 pound milestone, they send you a little surprise to keep you motivated and the web support is great. As a guy, it was tough getting through football season on it, but when it's important to you, you'll stick with it.

After all the holidays, I went back on it to lose the last 20. I didn't really gain more than 3-5 lbs (it fluctuated) when I was off the plan because I did learn portion control and balance of fruits, vegetables meats and what foods to avoid. Went back on in February and the first few weeks are hard because the gas is a little harsh. It's due to the soy protein used in some of the bars and entrees. I use Beano before eating any of those and it makes a big difference in that respect. I can't really complain about it. After reading all the posts here about the high sodium content, I want to look in to that, because they really don't play that up too much and with HBP, I gotta watch for that.

If you need some discipline and you've not been able to get your dieting organized and you're willing to commit to it, it's a good way to go. If you won't make the committment, don't waste your money.

I started this a couple of weeks ago and have lost almost 10 pounds. My goal is to lose 100. I'm pretty psyched about it and feel that it's obtainable after I have been able to lose a pound a day without following the diet 100%. It's perfect for me, especially because I'm a vegetarian and no diet has ever worked before. Nutri-system is the only prepackaged vegetarian diet.
There have been a couple of foods that I haven't been able to stomach (the dehydrated lunches where you have to add water) but some of them are really good. And you choose what you want to eat. I'm concidering just getting 28 cheese tortellini's next month.. they're my fave.
Also, they're a little bland.. I like spicy things. So I just add tobasco sauce to almost anything and it's fine.
What I like is the online food diary where you can keep track of the calories you consume.
I've had some digestion problems, but it's not enough to cause a lot of concern, and certainly I can deal with it if I am losing weight.
For me this diet works really well, so I'm a big fan.

I ordered NS last week, it was my first order. I recieved an order today. Only problem was, it was not my order! Everything in and on the box had the name and address of the person (female, so it did make a difference) who had ordered the package. Everything but the UPS shipping label. I called NS, who said they would send out a new package for me next week. Of course that would mean I am waiting two or more weeks to get what I have paid for due to their....very stupid error. That of course does not even address the privacy issues! I canceled and demanded a refund. Customer service is a basic concept in business, and they seem to be missing some basic's. All they would have had to do is offer to overnight my order, or perhaps offer a free week. Don't just say, "we will fix it next week!!!"

This is really too bad, I was looking forward to trying this diet. I hope anyone else who orders has better luck. I would like to think my experiance is a fluke. Every business makes mistakes. I just did'nt like the way they handled this mistake, after all, it is a $300 order.

I just cannot BELIEVE the foulness of this food. I managed to stay on it for a week and gave up. I felt as though I was poisoning myself. I bundled up what was left of my 2 weeks of slime, called the SlimeSystem and got a return authorization number which I put on the outside of the box. I then called UPS and returned it insured, with delivery confirmation. I put the original invoice in the box with the things I had managed to choke down circled. After almost a month of no news (no refund)I called SlimeSystem and was told that someone should have told me that I needed to CALL THEM and give them my UPS tracking number. They already HAVE the tracking number - they HAVE the box! The operator told me I would receive a refund within 14 days of our conversation, which was 02/07/07. Today an operator called and said now I have to FAX them the list of food I returned. They have the box and presumably the food in it, they have the tracking number, they have the invoice, but still I have no refund. They told me 14 days which would have been the 02/21/07 - today is the 24th.

I think it's a scam to keep your money as long as possible. I know that a lot of people wouldn't have sent this stuff insured with delivery confirmation, nor would they have kept a copy of all the paperwork and I bet NS really takes advantage of that. I can't wait to see what excuse they will use next. I think everyone with refund problems should contact their state office of Consumer Affairs and file a complaint. That's my next step.

I've been on NutriSystem for 3 weeks and am loving it. Granted, the food is prepackaged so it will never taste as good as fresh. I knew that going in so I had no surprises. I am full all day long and I've lost 12 pounds so far. I add my own fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to the prepackaged food and all of my daily nutrient needs are met.

It is a bit high in sodium (I am averaging about 3200mg/day whereas I'd rather consume 2400mg of less a day), but it's been lower in fat than advertised. I average around 15% a day instead of the 20% stated. I am also consuming, on average, 35 grams of fiber a day; this is in excess of the government recommended amount of 25 granms/day.

Most of all, as a working person with a busy schedule, I LOVE the convenience.

I am never hungry on this diet so it really works for me. I dont like the planning I have to do but of course this is needed. 13.5 lbs lost in 5 days. Some of the food does taste like dog food but try a bunch out, some are not that bad. Once you get the hang of what you like you can customize every month. I am sticking with this one, its the first diet I have been on that I dont feel like chewing my arm off 10 min after I have eaten.

i need more information,or do you have iformation espanish that better thanks.

*I've been on Nutrisystem for 1 1/2 months so far and have lost about 15 lbs. The breakfast are okay my favorite is the maple brown sugar oatmeal and some cereals the muffin is horrible , lunch favorite is cheese tortillini and fettucine alfreado with mushrooms, and vegetable beef stew, chicken in caccitore had so much vinegar taste in in absolutely disgusting!! So was the chicken ala king tasted like cat food. Dinner meatload if good but mashed potatoes aren't, all the beef dishes are nasty and have a foul taste and odor to them, snacks, popcorn is good, chocloate cake, all of the soy chips are terrible and biscotti couldn't even get my teeth into it. I will probably stay on for another month again , then either go to Jenny Craig or just eat small portions and do Smart Ones or Lean Cuisine dinners and lunches with salads. One thing about this program did definitly teach me about portion control and to add in fruits and vegetables to meals to feel less hungry and dairy and proteins. I would have to agree with most of the posting alot of the stuff has a nasty chemical taste and only certain items are good to eat the other stuff alot was just plain disgusting.

I THINK NUTRISYSTEM IS VERY GOOD FOOD,NO IT DOESNT TAST LIKE PIZZA hut but come on what do you expect your on a diet I THINK ITS A GREAT DIET IVE LOST 15 POUNDS IN 5 WEEKS THE FOOD IS GOOD AND IF YOU EAT YOUR VEGGIES WITH THE MEALS ITS FILLING AND ITS VERY EASY TO FOLLOW

I love the Honey Mustard Pretzel Sticks, Where can I buy some or place an order?

Thanks,

I have been on nutrisystem for exactly one week now. I am used to eating good organic foods but I do not practice portion control nor do I eat small meals consistantly, sometimes going to bed with no dinner at all, and because of that I have gained weight. I have not weighed in yet but I do like the convenience of the lunches, the eggs are gross and I am making two omega enriched eggs whites and one full egg scramble with a little sea salt every morning so that I don't eat all the preservatives which I think are giving me headaches. I am not used to pre packeged foods. The lunches are totally convenient and I just have a big salad with all different kinds of greens with them. Has anyone had headaches? I will just go by the way my clothes fit and weigh in in about three weeks, we will see! I will make the foods last by making my own small meas, I am using the empty containers to figure out portion sizes.

I just started my NutriSystem diet & the food is OK but some of it tastes bland. I like the fact that they are prepackaged portions so you don't have to think about much other than eating (what I do anyway)

I'm also taking some supplements that I read about. This websites www.skinnyondiets.com has a lot of useful information about all the diet pills like hydroxycut, fahrenheit, hot rox, alli and also other diet products like curb your cravings patch & those packets you can add to water to make it a diet drink like dexatrim.

I did the NS diet a back in 1989 and lost a lot of weight. But, one day I woke up while on this diet with a lump on the side of my tongue the size of a marble! I went to the doctor and he removed it right away. It was a benign tumor thank goodness and he couldn't say if it was from NS. But, 18 years later, I just signed on again after gaining 30 pounds and cannot get it off. Maybe I am a glutton for punishment but I know from experience this diet works. And, when I had the tumor removed, I lost even more weight because I couldn't eat solid foods! I don't want the tumor again but I have to admit, looked good!!!

I've been on NS for one week now and lost 4 lbs. It's a great system if you have a problem with portion control or are just too busy to prepare meals. I have 2 small kids and very little time. Plus, I received $80 off my first order (a $50 promotion with 1 free week of food, $30 discount in Buddy Bucks and free shipping). The cost of 5 weeks was $213.72. For the price, I think it's worth it.

If you're thinking about ordering, I suggest you custom order your food instead of getting the variety pack. I checked the nutritional value on all the items I was interested in and some have a very high cholesterol. I'm sticking to the pasta, ravioli, lasanga, soups / stews and bars - they're all pretty good. One thing, I am not hungry!

I started NS 3 days ago and I have already lost 5 pounds! The food isnt so good but when I add in the fruits, yogurts, and salads my meal isnt so bad and I am not hungry at all!! I would def. recommend the program to anyone who is in need of a good weight loss regiment and doesnt have that much time for exercise. If you want it enough you can deal with the food being so-so!! I hope I continue with my superior progress!

Hey, I just started NS and I have a question for all of you. Are you eating all of the fruits, veggies, etc also? Will you lose less if you don't?

Jaims said:
Hey, I just started NS and I have a question for all of you. Are you eating all of the fruits, veggies, etc also? Will you lose less if you don't?[...]

Thanks for the help michelle!

i thought the food tasted like cardboard. I really could not do it. And portion size? - nice as an appetizer! It makes Lean Cuisine and Weight Watchers meals seem like gourmet food! The pizzas and panini sandwhiches from both of the LC and WW are so good that I will buy them whether I am watching my weight or not. Really people, give this a lot of thought or try buying some to try out from ebay first as a lot of people sell NS on ebay.

Well, I agree with the past few comments. But, you should not have to get use to anything that causes extreme gas or bloating. In my function, I do not have time to go to the bathroom on every urge to pass wind. Frankly, the food sucks! High in MSG, white flour, corn syrup and more, as has already been dicussed. I'm in extremely good shape and I don't smoke or drink. I though that this diet would jump start my metoblolic rate. Instead, I got a stomach full of diahrea and abnormal gas.

I have wrestled competitively over the years and lost vast amounts of weigh. I've never experienced diahrea or sever gas bloating in doing so. Listen to your body and it should tell you that something is wrong with the consumption of this food. For christ sake, I've got two cockers that eat better food than this.

It's easy to have a famous celebrity (has beens), come on TV and advertise how great the food is, when they're getting paid to do it. Give a monkey a piece of fruit you can get him to do just about anything also. The bottomline is in the eating. It's not MAN FOOD, "DON"T FORGET ABOUT THE CHOCOLATE", if that's what you call it. I'd rather forget about it. Your not "EATING LIKE A MAN," unless your a midget. I tried to get my Cocker Spaniel to eat the POT ROAST and he turned his nose up and walked away! Says something about the quality doesn't it.

For the gentleman who weighed 375 and has lost 184lbs, I'm really glad it's working for you. You could have the same by eating less and being more active. But than again, most people in your situation aren't diciplined enough to limit your intake or akin to exercise and fitness. That's ok too, but don't try to convince others about how great and easy it is. With that amount of excess fat on your body you could easily lose 184 and quite quickly. Tell me how great it is when you reach your plateau weight. You'll still have to EXCERCISE vigerously!!

Bottomline is, a rose is not a rose unless it's really a rose. This diet isn't and could create problems for a person with a heart condition, high blood pressure, diabates etc. The dieting business in America is a multi-billion dollar industry and Nutri-System is just looking for a piece of the pie. Is their advertising misleading, yes somewhat. Do they pay public figures to lie about...oops, advertise their products. So what's the verdict, "Caveat Emptor", let the buyer beware!

Yes, I to have sent all the meals back and stopped ordering from them also. As soon as I did the gas and diahrea stopped also.

I started NS approximately a week ago. Eggs are difficult to swallow. Otherwise, foods are okay. . My biggest problem is staying focused when I go to restaurants. I plan to stay on the program until I get bored with it. Goodluck to everyone.

The food isn't as bad as a lot of people say. But this doesn't always work:

I've been on it for a week and a half and I've GAINED 3 lbs.

But then, nothing ever works for me...

NutriSystem
Interesting because it is not actually diet food. I tried it to see what it was like. I examined each product. Every item can be bought ( under a different name) in the stores. Eg the pots of chili are the same as the Hormel brand at about 1/3 of the price. This diet is about portion control and that is about it.

The food was okay and I know buy the equivilant products at my local store for $ instead of $$$.

The truth is you can eat your regular food but just put less on your plate. Infact use a smaller dinner plate so it doesn't look like less!

I owe it to Nutrisystem, it has helped me get back on track. After two children I had gotten off track with eating and portion control. Following Nutrisystem has made me realize that I need portion control and it is as much a mental aspect as an addiction I can control. I am very happy with Nurtisystem.

TODAY IS DAY 5 ON MY NUTRISYSTEM DIET. I'VE LOST 4.2 LB. AND HAVE FOUND THE FOOD TO BE FINE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND ALL THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE FOOD TASTING BAD. I'M A PICKY EATER AND DON'T HAVE ANY COMPLAINTS SO FAR. I'LL KEEP EVERYONE UPDATED AS TIME GOES BY.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

To Susan from September that said she gained weight while on NS and regular exercise.

If you had not been eating before starting NS (or starting to eat any food for that matter), your bodies metabolism has been thrown out of whack.

Normally, any food that you eat will be used by your body as energy and if you over eat, some of that food will be stored as fat. Since you were depriving your body of food before, your body learned to cope with the low amounts of energy it got and is now storing more of that food (in case you start starving yourself again)

NEVER STARVE YOURSELF, you will not lose weight that way, and may cause some irreversible side effects to your health.

As far as NS, while the food is loaded with sodium and other garbage and not anything I would be interested in eating, it is no worse than any other processed food that people eat on a daily basis.

My point is, and this is not meant to overly alarm you, but you should see a doctor. Anyone exercising as routinely as you state you do, should have no problem staying in good shape, REGARDLESS of what you eat!

Now, as stated before, your body was attempting to reestablish it's metabolism, so maybe, after a bit, it has readjusted itself, but if it hasn't, either you have no weight to lose ( ie. you're in shape, and have an eating disorder), or you have a medical problem.

Either way, if you are still experiencing problems, please see a doctor.

Well I am going about NS in an unconventional way to start out I guess. My Aunt was doing it, and about a week into it she was so sick of the food she just quit! I had been wanting to try it for a while, so she gave all the rest of the food. I will see how this first three weeks goes and then decide if I'll stick with it.
I used to be a really good eater, and I was great about portion control. However, once I moved in with my fiance I gained about 30 lbs over the last 3 years. He can eat ANYTHING, EVERYTHING, and AS MUCH AS HE WANTS and he doesn't gain a single pound. God, it makes me so sick! Someday our kids better get his metabolism!! My problem has been fixing what he wants and eating it too, and even though I eat less- most of the time it's not anything that is good for me personally.
Anyway, today has been my first day, and I am really excited. I do have to say though, I wouldn't recommend the pretzels! Talk about eating cardboard! other than that my breakfast, and lunch have been great! I'll keep updating and see how things go. It's been really encouraging to find this blog- thanks to everyone for you opinions, and reviews. I hope I have success with it!

I just ordered NS today and am looking forward to it. I was on Atkins a couple of years ago and lost 20 lbs, now I'm at 213 and want to get to around 180. I've read all the comments about the bad taste, but they don't bother me. Suffering is required to improve yourself whether it be weight loss or quitting an addiction. I remember hating life when I quit smoking 3 years ago but now I'm glad I endured it, and it was worth the pain. I'd still be smoking if I demanded that somebody give me a pain-free way to quit. lol it sounds like the eggs are going to be toxic waste but thankfully there's a variety. Eat that nasty food, exercise, and find some comfort that there are others in the exact same boat who are also strong enough to improve themselves.

Ken said:
I've been on NutriSystem for 3 weeks and am loving it. Granted, the food is prepackaged so it will never taste as good as fresh. I knew that going in so I had no surprises. I am full all day long and I've lost 12 pounds so far. I add my own fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to the prepackaged food and all of my daily nutrient needs are met.[...]

I was on it for a week, but the food taste horrible. Military MRE's taste a lot better than this stuff. I'm going back to strict Atkins for a few weeks, then do the more relaxed southbeach diet. I expected to have a problem trying to cancel the autodelivery but they were actually very nice about it.

Well I have officially been on NS for three days now. I have lost three pounds so far, so about one a day.

There is only one thing I am a little concerned about, and I want to ask if anyone else has experianced it... After I eat my NS meal I feel weird. By weird I mean I feel like I've had a whole pot of STRONG coffee. I feel slighty light headed, or like I'm all drugged up, and my heart rate feels like it goes up a bit. It happens mostly after breakfast, and lunch. It lasts maybe an hour and then goes away, and I am not enjoying that part! I haven't consulted with my doctor about trying this diet, and I'm thinking maybe I should. I know that my overall health is great according to my last check-up. So I am not sure why this could be happening. Has anyone else ever felt like this?

This is my life. When I was 18 i was skiny but now i am fat and i dont want to be fat.

I just ordered NS today but after reading all these comments im a little scared. this site was very helpful to read while i was picking foods to order, I enjoy reading what people liked and didnt like. I guess I'll see when the food comes.

Do u have to the luches during lunch only??Ive ordered some meals just to try them before i spend a whopping 300 bucks a month ..I got mostly lunches.
And the chicken in caccatorie sauce was good!

I just started NutriSystem yesterday. I was hungry all day yesterday! I'm hoping that soon my body will be used to the smaller portions. I just want to lose 10 lbs as I am 5'5'' and currently 138 lb. Since I don't have alot of weight to lose, does anybody know if NS is less effective when you're almost at your ideal weight?