The Nutrisystem Diet

Share |

History
In 1971, entrepreneur Harold Katz opened his first weight-loss center, called Shape-up, which combined low-calorie meals with counseling and medical supervision. The concept was very successful, and the following year he began franchising his concept. The business went through a couple of name changes, finally settling on NutriSystem in 1981. By the early 1980s, there were 500 of his weight-loss centers across the 50 states.

In the late 1990s, after various difficulties, the company decided to abandon its traditional approach, and sold off the centers in favor of a web-based business, launching its website in 1999. Currently, the site offers free membership (which includes access to online tools, resources, counseling, and support). Rather than generating revenue from membership fees, the company focuses on the sale of prepackaged meals to its members, both through its website and through a partnership with the QVC television shopping network.

How it works
The NutriSystem program features low-fat meals with "good" carbs (low glycemic index). Approximately 55% of your plan's calories will come from carbohydrates, 35% from protein, and 20% from fat.

NutriSystem offers seven different meal plans and invites you to choose the plan that is right for you:

Women's
Men's
Women's Silver (for older women)
Men's Silver (for older men)
Women's Type II Diabetic
Men's Type II Diabetic
Vegetarian

When you choose to order one of these 28 day meal plans, you can handpick the entrees, desserts, and snacks you would like from their menu, or you can choose to order a pre-selected pack of "favorite foods." Meals will need to be supplemented with a few fresh grocery items, such as fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. Alternatively, if you would like to try their program without a large commitment, items can be ordered A la carte or in one-week increments.

Food pricing is very reasonable, with many breakfast and lunch items being $3 or less, dinner around $5, and snacks $2, eating healthy can end up costing you less than fast food! If you choose to save money by ordering in bulk, the prepackaged meals can cost as little as $10.50 per day.

NutriSystem's entrees are designed for maximum portability and do not need to be refrigerated. Each meal comes with specific preparation instructions. Some may require a microwave or stovetop, for others you will simply need hot water. Bars and snacks are ready-to-eat right from the package.

Popularity
NutriSystem has been helping people lose weight, though various programs, for over 35 years. Celebrity endorsers include Tori Spelling, Dan Marino, Don Shula, Steve Beuerlein, Zora Andrich, Jillian Barberie, Marie Osmond, Tony Orlando, and Chris Carter.

Additional Resources:
The Official NutriSystem Website