Name: Nutrisystem
Rating: 3.8

LAST UPDATED: November 24th, 2023

Nutrisystem began as a weight loss counseling center in 1972. Over the next three decades, it transitioned to selling products and programs online. Today they provide customers with balanced, frozen meals designed for weight loss and weight management. While it claims that you can lose one to two pounds per week on average, it has not been proven sustainable. A company-sponsored study, found that average weight loss was 15.4 pounds and 9.8 inches in the first two months.

As with many diet meal plans, prepackaged foods may not be sustainable for those who need to lose a lot of weight and want to keep it off. Still, many people in the United States and in other countries have reported that Nutrisystem is a great product for losing weight and getting back on track. Those who follow the system will most likely experience weight loss.

The company aims to provide nutritionally balanced meals. Through individualized counseling, custom meal plans, quality foods, and support they help Americans lose weight and get healthy. Its focus is to create healthier versions of customers’ favorite foods. Nutrisystem meals focus on providing the right mix of nutrients and include healthy, lean protein, high fiber, low-glycemic carbs, and no artificial sweeteners or flavors.

Its meal plans are based on research that suggests that eating smaller, balanced meals throughout the day promotes greater weight loss and maintenance. On Nutrisystem, customers eat every two to three hours (six times per day) and can choose from a variety of Nutrisystem® breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks. Customers also add in fresh grocery foods and Flex™ meals for balance and variety. The company tells customers they can expect to lose one to two pounds per week on average.

A sample day on a Nutrisystem meal plan will mean you eat six times in a day: breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner, and an evening snack. It provides the following menu as a sample:

Breakfast — Nutrisystem® Cranberry Orange Muffin, mixed nuts and coffee
Morning snack — Low-fat plain yogurt
Lunch — Nutrisystem® Hamburger and a side salad
Afternoon snack — Apple slices with almond butter
Dinner — Nutrisystem® Roasted Turkey Medallions and green beans
Evening snack — Nutrisystem® White Cheddar Popcorn

Nutrisystem offers several plans that provide a different number of meals or menu options, including the following:

Partner Plan Basic — $8.21 per day
Uniquely Yours — $13.57 per day
Complete 55 for Women — $13.93 per day
Max Vitality for Men — $15.32 per day

In addition, it offers plans specific to those on a diabetic diet as well as a men's specific plan.

Plan subscribers get access to the free NuMi app. The app provides one-touch tracking for Nutrisystem meals and other non-Nutrisystem foods and meals. Customers can set up smart reminders to track meals, drink water, work out, and more. It also includes contests, prizes, and special offers.

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The Good

Healthy Eating Focus
Options for Different Tastes and Diets
Quality Ingredients
Money-Back Guarantee

Healthy Eating Focus

Nutrisystem is a great way to kick off any diet plan. This program is not designed for long-term use, but rather as a starting point to teach people which foods they should be eating. Unlike other diet plans that offer low-calorie, pre-packaged foods without any long-term lifestyle changes, Nutrisystem includes meal-planning assistance and goal tracking via its NuMi app. The pre-packaged meals have two benefits for customers: They can see what serving sizes actually look like and feel free from worrying about counting calories.

Options for Different Tastes and Diets

Consumers have more than 130 menu options to choose from, so they'll never get bored with meals. While taste is wildly subjective, Nutrisystem customers report that overall they find its meals taste good.

Nutrisystem also works for a variety of dietary needs including diabetic and vegetarian diets. If a customer needs a low-sodium diet, any of the Nutrisystem plans should work because all plans meet or are often below the USDA’s recommended daily sodium intake of 2,300mg or less for the general population. The company's weight loss counselors can help those needing to limit sodium to 1,500mg per day customize a menu.

For those with special dietary restrictions or food allergies, Nutrisystem posts a nutritional breakdown of all its menu items online to help select a menu that will work.

Quality Ingredients

Many meal-planning services provide weight loss meals that may work but often include loads of awful, processed ingredients. Nutrisystem uses low calorie and low glycemic options that avoid any artificial colors, sweeteners or flavors. It also does not include hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, aspartame, and MSG in its meals.

Money-Back Guarantee

Nutrisystem offers a 7-day money back guarantee that applies to all first-time four-week orders for certain plans. If you’re not satisfied with your first order you can call within the first 7 days and send the remaining food back for a full refund (minus shipping costs). This guarantee is only on your first order.

After the guarantee period, and within thirty days of delivery, customers are able to return any unopened Nutrisystem non-frozen food items for a refund (minus return shipping costs). Frozen foods are not returnable or refundable except under the money-back guarantee.

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The Bad

No Trial Period
May Not Lose Weight as Quickly

No Trial Period

Nutrisystem may be a good way to shed extra pounds, but it is not a long-term solution. The shortest program of four weeks is usually what most people prefer. And Nutrisystem requires each individual to sign up at least for a four-week program without being able to test the product. The company doesn't give dieters the option of trying out a few meals or only ordering a week's worth of food at a time.

May Not Lose Weight as Quickly

Other meal systems that offer lower-calorie plans may help you lose weight more quickly. However, these plans typically do not emphasize teaching healthy eating habits and lifestyle changes that promote long-term weight loss. Nutrisystem promotes long-term weight loss and supports the creation of healthy eating habits.

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The Bottom Line

Nutrisystem is great for people looking to lose weight in a short amount of time. It says you can lose one to two pounds per week on average. Although you won’t be able to try out its product before buying, it does offer a 7-day money-back guarantee. Most individuals have been happy with the taste of the food, the variety of meal options, and that the program is generally simple to understand and start off with. While most do seem satisfied with the meals’ taste, we did notice some reviewers using adjectives such as "too-sweet," "too-salty," and "cardboard-y." We recommend that you try the meals and keep in mind you have 14 days to return meals and cancel your plan if you are unsatisfied.

Like most meal plans, it isn't sustainable for long periods of time, but the hope is that it teaches portion control and helps get your health back on track. And while Nutrisystem meals are relatively cheap compared to other meal plans, it would be expensive if you did this diet long term.

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User Reviews

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3.8

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40 Reviews

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Michelle Thomas Anaheim, CA

I used nutrisystem and it did work for me during that time. I liked their shakes and some food items were really tasting. Price is kind of high but if you add up your fast food bill you will probably find it cheaper.

11 months ago

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Courtney Indianapolis, IN

I just finished week 2 of Nutrisystem. I'm a 33 year old female, I was 151.6lbs when I started, I'm down to 148.6. I've been working out roughly 3-4 times a week for 30 min too, but it's sporadic. On the weekends I've been going out for dinners and had some wine too so I think it's working absolutely fine for what I need, which is thoughtless dieting. Pros: 1. It's awesomely thoughtless. I just grab what I need for the day and go. 2. Everything is labeled Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner/Snack. BAM, simple. 3. It has helped me narrow my food intake by alot, without having to really "count" calories. 4. NO COOKING. There is either heating it in the microwave or eating it out of the package 5. Most things are decently tasty considering it's food that's packaged with a long shelf life. 6. I travel ALOT, so it's helped me streamline not eating out or having something on hand 7. I can carry it anywhere. No frozen mess, no refrigeration needed. Cons: 1. The daily plan is kind of confusing. They spend more time emphasizing things like NuMi than they do really going over what you should be eating - because it says on top of their food you're supposed to be getting veggies and some protein. I just eat the meals and if i can find a good supplement veggie or meat i add it, if not then oh well. 2. It is the MRE of food. If you're a health nut, don't look at the ingredients because it's all preservatives (I still think it's worth the trade for convenience for someone like me that doesn't have time to find things like "quinoa" and spend 45min making a one course meal) 3. They auto order for you. So you can choose to 'delay' an order online but you have to call them to stop it. I didn't even get a chance to try everything so I would know what I liked and didn't like before the second order came in, which was kind of annoying. Oh and be ready for the auto $260 charge. 4. Not enough snacks per plan. Eating 2 a day I ran out by the end of week 2. You're "supposed" to find healthy snacks to supplement but I'd rather have the appropriate amount of 2x/day snackage.

8 years ago

Jeremy Summa Inverness, FL

You get a lot of variety from them and most is not bad some of it is gross but for the money and the fact it’s diet food I think it’s probably the best if you want a full diet program with all food included

1 year ago

Samantha Holland Denver, CO

I absolutely loved my experience with Nutrisystem. I lost 30lbs in 3 months. They made losing weight easy. I loved that even though they sent me food, I was learning how to prepare my own meals and get into better habits! I loved the program, I love that I didn’t have to cut things out of my diet but learn how to make better and smarter choices.

4 years ago

wayne sanders Valley Center, CA

Nutrisystem is the way to go if your looking to have healthy, low calorie, pre planned out, ready to go meals delivered to your home. its nice to be able to have a wide variety of meals waiting for me to just pick when I need it. When your dieting there are plenty of times when you just don't want to think about what to prepare and then worry about whether or not you made it the healthiest way possible. Nutrisystem takes care of the thinking for you.

5 years ago

NT Pleasant Grove, UT

everything they say about Nutrisystem is accurate. from the first call i was excited to start this new journey and they made it so easy. not only did i lose weight, but i gained confidence and trust again. i recommended it to my best friends and they love it too.

6 years ago

Alicia Holman Gilbert, AZ

I've used this program several times and my biggest issue is the food isn't fresh enough. I don't mind having prepackaged dinners, but I wish they had the option for fresher ones. I also think they need to flavor the food a little without adding calories.

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Len Arlington, TX

Biggest mistake I ever made! I ate the food for two days and was deathly ill for the next three... extreme nausea and vomiting. When I called to cancel, I was told that it was my fault the food made me sick because I was not following the program. However, I was strictly following the program outlined in the literature I received with the food. The representative still tried to convince me to continue the program, even though I explained it was making me sick. She finally agreed to cancel my subscription but still charged me a $125.00 cancellation fee. So, I am out just over $500.00 for food I cannot eat. Lesson learned, I guess. Stay away from Nutrisystem!

7 years ago

CJ Milke Olney, MD

I have lost so much weight using Nutrisystem. The bender smoothies they send in their boxes are so yummy and nutritious. I definitely recommend this company as the delivery is also very smooth.

3 years ago Edited September 14, 2021

Megan Milke Laurel, MD

Nutrisystem delivers the tastiest smoothies every. They deliver the most healthy ingredients for me to be able to just throw it in the blender in a heartbeat! Definitely worth the money.

3 years ago

Angela Nelson Pleasant Grove, UT

The taste of NutriSystem food was great. I could not stay on it because it exacerbated some existing health problems I have, but it was very convenient to be able to buy the starter kit from Wal-Mart and I think it could be a great program for some people. Easy to follow and easy, good-tasting food.

Mindy Clarke Tacoma, WA

I used to get their meals delivered, it was pricey. However, I was able to eat healthy and not worry about shopping for what I needed. I also received snacks and it all tasted great.

Susan Stewart Salt Lake City, UT

We did Nutrisystem for a while. We lost some weight but the food was disgusting. I couldn't stomach eating it for more than two weeks. However, my sister and brother-in-law did this for months and saw huge success. I think they each lost around 40 or more lbs. But when they stopped and were eating carefully the weight came back. It is something you just have to plan on doing for forever if you want it to work. For me, I couldn't see myself doing it for 2 weeks, let alone for life.

Eddie Rios Ogden, UT

Nutrisystem has always been a good option when buying prepackaged meals. They are flavorful and filling. They are well balanced for nutrition and help me avoid poorer food choices. They help keep me on track health wise.

Amanda George IL

There was no flavor to anything they had. It was either so salty or bland and had uneasy textures. Not worth the money I paid for it cancelled after first subscription came. Not enough food, order double to make up for one shipment cycle.

Shari Evers Lehi, UT

I love idea of nutrisystem, but the food is unrealistic. It’s something that helped and was torture during its use, but wasn’t something I could continue using.

Doyal Stewart Salt Lake City, UT

My wife had me to the Nutrisystem thing with her. I hated it and wouldn't do it after a couple days. I thought it was nasty. I think I could take that stuff up the mountains with me and not even the raccoons would attempt to eat it. Just dry and nasty.

Rafael Parra Longwood, FL

Great product, good tates of the meal, very convenient the delivery to your door, and you obtain the result of losing weight

Sherry Brownsburg, IN

I enjoyed the plan and the food. I think I lost 40 lbs on the plan. I need to start it up again but have been dragging my feet

Hunter Brister Norcross, GA

I have used Nutrisystem in the past and have found great results from the program. The food is tasty and always arrives on time.

Shayla Hankins Lehi, UT

Nutrisystem helped me lose 42 pounds with little to no cost. They caught my eye by their commercial and I have never felt better.

Cori Jacobsen Ollerton Alpine, UT

Very helpful for weight loss. However, VERY expensive. My husband lost 55 lbs through their food plans. Worth the money but pricey.

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Rischelle Mikkelson American Fork, UT

I did not have a great experience with Nutrisystem. They made a lot of promises, but I did not see results. The food was mediocre. I followed the plan exactly. And was not able to lose any weight.The consultants were very kind, however, and supported me along the way.

Tate Tomlinson Pleasant Grove, UT

Nutri systems worked so well for me. I lost 30 pounds in a month. And because I exercised as well, I have maintained it. So thank you!

Kristin G Pleasant Grove, UT

I personally like Nutrisystem and used their meals for losing weight. The meals are delicious and there is a variety to choose from.

Maile Curtis Salt Lake City, UT

Not my favorite. Their portions are so small and really not that good. I only lasted a few days on their products and I felt like I was starving. Do not spend your money on them.

Steven Klaproth Phoenix, AZ

What a great way to lose weight and keep it off. The food is delicious and satisfying. The best diet I have ever tried.

Erin Glendening Livingston, LA

Nutrisystem makes losing weight super easy with their pre-prepared meals. I really like how convenient those meals are.

Martha Gourley Pleasant Grove, UT

I bought this one time. When I opened up the box and started look at the food, I knew that I could not eat it. It did not look appealing. If you like dehydrated food then maybe this would work for you.

Carol Knight Salt Lake City, UT

Nutrisystem weight loss program was effective when followed closely. A bit pricey but a good way to lose weight.

Kate Lillywhite American Fork, UT

Need to lose weight? Look no further than Nutrisystem. Delivered to you and easy to follow!

Jami Lucas Eagle Mountain, UT

I was so happy to have this program and the many options. They were very yummy, but I wish they were a little bigger!

Mykahla Nelson Managua, MN

This is a pretty good weight lose programs ! It easy to get the food that is good for you and easy to lose weight.

Karen Hartnack Norcross, GA

I did this for over a year tasty food good assortment easy prepare and home delivery lost 42 lbs

Rashida Laumatia Saint George, UT

Had amazing results with Nutrisystem. Counselors were very motivating and supportive.

Sarah VanLeuven Orem, UT

Ordered a kit for a month received food for a week. Pretty disappointed in variety, quantity and communication.

Bryndie Managua, MN

A great meal service company. Very delicious meals and some much healthier options.

Chai'el Ma'etheius , GA

Expensive for one, unhealthy food choices, and instead of losing weight I ended up gaining three times what I started with.

Troy Siren Gilbert, AZ

Delicious food that tasted great. Great meal plan that really worked.

KS Orem, UT

It didn't work for me. It's too expensive. The meals and shakes are nasty!