Nutrisystem, a company with over five decades of experience, delivers low-calorie, heat-and-eat meals aimed at facilitating quick and convenient weight loss. Recognizing that time constraints in preparing healthy meals are a significant barrier to weight loss, Nutrisystem’s comprehensive meal program appears to be an ideal solution. Additionally, the program offers support through coaching and a dedicated weight loss app.
As both a dietitian and an enthusiastic home cook, I was intrigued by Nutrisystem’s offerings and their potential impact on nutritional value, taste, and satiety. To explore this, Nutrisystem provided me with a five-day meal package to experience their service firsthand. Admittedly, this was a significant departure from my usual eating habits, but I was eager to give it a try. Below are my candid reflections on the five days’ worth of Nutrisystem meals.
Nutrisystem at a Glance: What Does It Offer?
Pros
- Convenient, ready-to-eat meals
- Snacks available as add-ons
- Less expensive than eating out
- Coaching and motivational tools available
- Encourages adding more produce to diet
Cons
- Ultra-processed foods
- Some bland or artificial-tasting meals
- High-protein meals cost extra
View Plans and Pricing & Sign Up Today
Signing Up
To enroll in Nutrisystem, I began by selecting a plan from the “Plans & Pricing” section on their homepage. The available plans are categorized into three main groups: Signature Programs, New Plans, and Club Advantage. Here’s a brief overview of each:
Signature Programs
These are based on Nutrisystem’s traditional approach, providing five to six small, convenient meals and snacks per day. Customers are encouraged to supplement these with healthy sides like fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. The specific plans are tailored based on factors such as gender, age, and protein requirements:
-
Women: Three meals and one snack daily.
-
Women 50 and Over: This plan offers more calories and carbohydrates earlier in the day with lighter meals in the evening, aiming to reduce inflammation, stress, and improve sleep patterns.
-
Men: Three meals and two snacks daily, accommodating higher caloric needs due to typically larger body size and muscle mass.
-
Men 50 and Over: Includes protein shakes in addition to meals and snacks to help prevent age-related muscle loss.
-
Partners: A two-person plan offered at a slight discount compared to ordering two separate programs. Suitable for couples, roommates, or family members.
-
Partners 50 and Over: Designed for two people, following the nutritional guidelines for individuals over 50.
-
High Protein: This option can be added to any Signature Program, replacing standard dinners with Hearty Inspirations meals that are larger and provide up to 30 grams of protein per serving.
New Plans
These plans allow selection from curated menus based on evidence-based eating patterns for weight loss:
-
High Protein: Focuses on optimizing protein intake while keeping calories low, offering benefits like reduced hunger, improved blood sugar control, and muscle mass preservation.
-
Low Carb: Emphasizes proteins and healthy fats while limiting carbohydrates, aiding in weight loss by promoting satiety and reducing intake of high-calorie processed foods.
Club Advantage
This flexible program allows ordering any amount of Nutrisystem food with access to the Nutrisystem app, personalized meal plans, and dietitian coaching. It’s suitable for various goals, including weight loss, weight gain, maintenance, or general health.
After selecting my plan, I had the option to receive Chef’s Picks (meals selected by Nutrisystem) or choose my own meals. I could also decide between five or seven days of food per week, upgrade to the High Protein plan for an additional fee, or add protein shakes to my shipment. I opted for the Signature Women’s High Protein plan.
Subsequently, I provided my contact details and address. I then chose to select my own meals rather than opting for Chef’s Picks. Upon completion, my card was charged immediately, and I was informed that food boxes would continue to be shipped automatically every 28 days until I chose to cancel or skip a shipment.
View Plans and Pricing & Sign Up Today
Meal Selection
Nutrisystem offers a structured meal delivery service with options for customization. Customers can choose the Chef’s Choice Menu, where Nutrisystem selects a variety of popular meals on their behalf, or they can opt to handpick their own meals from the full menu of breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks. It’s important to note that the selected meals remain the same for future orders unless updated before each 28-day shipment.
Due to the nature of frozen and shelf-stable meals, customization is limited compared to traditional meal kits. Swapping out specific proteins or ingredients isn’t feasible, and the menu remains relatively consistent over time. The available meals feature basic protein options such as beef, chicken, beans, cheese, eggs, turkey, and fish, with dishes inspired by American, Chinese, Italian, and Mexican cuisines. However, it’s worth mentioning that Nutrisystem’s offerings are highly processed, designed to be low in calories, and contain preservatives and additives to maintain quality during storage.
Sample Shipment Contents
A typical Nutrisystem shipment may include:
-
Breakfasts: Breakfast Burrito, Turkey Sausage and Egg Muffin, Buttermilk Waffles, Double Chocolate Muffin, Blueberry Muffin.
-
Lunches: Cafe-Style Creamy Tomato Soup, Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Classic Hamburger, Southwest Fiesta Melt, Three Cheese Chicken.
-
Dinners: Grain Crusted Pollock with Vegetables, Merlot Beef with Root Vegetables, Chicken Bianca Pizza, Bourbon-Style Chicken, Artichoke and Spinach-Stuffed Chicken Breast.
-
Snacks: Lemon Zest Cake, Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwich, Orange Cream Bar, Carrot Cake Cupcake, Chocolate Cupcake.
Pricing Structure
Nutrisystem’s pricing is structured on a daily basis, with plans providing three meals and one snack per day for women, and three meals and two snacks per day for men. Customers can choose between five or seven days of meals per week. Additionally, for an extra fee, higher-protein “Hearty Inspirations” meals can be added to dinner selections.
The cost ranges from approximately $9.99 to $16.48 per day, translating to about $279.68 to $461.44 per 28-day shipment. Shipping fees vary based on the plan and order total, with rates from $7.99 to $19.99.
Shipping Details
Nutrisystem charges a flat $9.99 shipping fee per auto-delivery shipment, typically every four weeks. For non-plan orders, shipping costs depend on the order total, ranging from $7.99 to $19.99. Orders are primarily shipped via FedEx and generally take up to five business days for processing and delivery within the contiguous United States.
In summary, Nutrisystem provides a convenient meal delivery service with options for meal selection and customization within certain parameters. While the menu offers a variety of dishes, customization is limited due to the nature of the meals. Pricing varies based on the chosen plan and additional options, with shipping fees applicable based on the order.
View Plans and Pricing & Sign Up Today
Delivery Experience
My Nutrisystem meals arrived in two separate shipments on consecutive days. The first delivery was a large styrofoam cooler containing all the frozen meals, kept solid with dry ice and a cardboard divider. The cooler’s thick insulation was impressive, prompting me to repurpose it for future camping or picnics. The following day, the non-perishable items arrived in a smaller cardboard box with recyclable plastic packing material to prevent movement during transit.
Meal Preparation
Preparing Nutrisystem meals was straightforward. Snacks, ice creams, and breakfast muffins required no preparation and were ready to eat directly from the package. Most main courses needed only microwaving, with clear instructions provided on each package. For instance, the Grain Crusted Pollock included a crisping tray for microwave use, resulting in a pleasantly crisp and lightly browned crust. The “Hearty Inspirations” line offered oven or stovetop instructions; I prepared the Chicken Bianca Pizza in the oven and the Bourbon-Style Chicken on the stovetop. Both methods yielded satisfying textures and flavors, enhancing the overall dining experience. Plating the meals thoughtfully made them closely resemble their depictions on the packaging and website.
Taste and Portion Sizes
As someone who typically cooks from scratch, I approached these pre-packaged meals with modest expectations. Overall, the food was acceptable, though I might not choose to purchase it independently. The convenience factor was undeniable. Standout dishes included the Grain Crusted Pollock, Spinach and Artichoke Stuffed Chicken Breast, and Bourbon-Style Chicken—all well-seasoned with appealing textures. However, the portion sizes were notably small, which could be unsatisfying for those aiming to lose weight. Sandwiches resembled sliders, and many meals could benefit from additional protein to enhance satiety. While nursing, I supplemented meals to meet increased caloric needs, such as adding extra cheese to the Chicken Bianca Pizza and pairing it with the Cafe-Style Creamy Tomato Soup, or enhancing the Turkey Sausage and Egg Breakfast Sandwich with cheese and a side of Greek yogurt topped with honey, chia seeds, and blueberries.
Certain items did not meet my preferences, including the Blueberry Muffin, Lemon Zest Cake, Breakfast Burrito, and Grilled Chicken Sandwich. The burrito’s filling was overly moist, lacking substantial ingredients for balance. The chicken patty in the sandwich had an unappealing texture, leading me to leave it unfinished. Sweet items exhibited a slightly artificial taste, particularly noticeable in the muffin and cake, while some savory dishes were bland, benefiting from added seasoning.
Conclusion
Nutrisystem offers a convenient solution for those seeking structured, portion-controlled meals delivered to their door. The ease of preparation and variety are notable advantages. However, taste preferences and portion sizes may not suit everyone, and some may find it necessary to supplement meals for greater satisfaction. As with any diet plan, individual experiences will vary, and it’s essential to consider personal dietary needs and preferences when evaluating such programs.
View Plans and Pricing & Sign Up Today
Nutritional Quality of Nutrisystem Meals
As a registered dietitian, I have concerns regarding the nutritional quality of Nutrisystem’s offerings. A significant portion of their meals are highly processed, which has been associated with various health issues, including obesity, depression, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, and digestive problems. For example, the Blueberry Muffin features an extensive list of ingredients, indicative of its ultra-processed nature. In contrast, simpler items like the Cafe-Style Creamy Tomato Soup are exceptions.
While Nutrisystem’s meals are designed to be lower in sodium, aligning with the USDA’s recommended daily intake of 2,300 mg or less, the reliance on processed foods remains a concern. Additionally, many meals contain refined oils such as corn, soy, and canola, which may contribute to inflammation. The carbohydrate content is moderate, which could be problematic for individuals managing blood sugar levels.
For those with renal disease, the added phosphates in processed foods can elevate phosphorus levels, necessitating consultation with a healthcare provider before starting Nutrisystem. Furthermore, the program’s caloric range of 1,200 to 1,500 calories per day may be too low for some individuals, potentially leading to alterations in hunger hormones and a decreased resting metabolic rate, making weight maintenance challenging post-program.
Protein content is another area of concern, as adequate protein intake is essential for satiety and muscle preservation during weight loss. Nutrisystem has introduced high-protein options, such as the Hearty Inspirations® meals, containing up to 30 grams of protein, to address this issue.
In summary, while Nutrisystem offers a convenient approach to weight loss, the high level of processing in their meals and potential nutritional imbalances warrant careful consideration.