Weight Loss Programs Like Nutrisystem

Explanation Of Nutrisystem

It feels like there are an endless amount of choices when it comes to finding a diet plan. Truth be told, though there are not endless choices, there are hundreds of options, plans, and ideas on how to lose weight and maintain the weight loss. Nutrisystem is one of the common names heard in line with a diet plan, but how is it different from other programs? This article will be a review of Nutrisystem and two other weight loss programs like Nutrisystem: Jenny Craig, and Weight Watchers. These programs are similar in style (meaning they assist one in finding an optimal meal plan), but the approach varies among them.

Nutrisystem

Nutrisystem’s plan of attack is to go for the Aristotelian ‘gold means’ concept. The plan is to balance out dietary needs as well as the wants (and cravings) that we have for food. It aims to provide entrees and desserts that are low-glycemic, full of protein and fiber, as well as low fat and low sodium.[1] For those who are unfamiliar with the glycemic index (on which Nutrisytsem creates its meal plans), the glycemic index “measures how much a 50-gram portion of carbohydrates raises a person’s blood sugar levels”.[2] Because carbohydrates are converted into glucose (sugar), the index guides people to foods that do not spike the blood sugar to a greater extent. It is the focus on low-glycemic (or as Nutrisystem says, “good carbs”) that allows Nutrisystem to be an ideal choice for diabetics because of their bodies’ inability to process glucose properly.

Basically, customers of Nutrisystem, are provided meals and meal plans directly to their homes. It has a large variety of foods that most perceive as non-diet foods: lasagna, ice cream sundaes, apple strudel bars, pizzas, etc. The meals and snacks are designed to control hunger, provide variety, and allow the taste buds of a person to enjoy the sweet or salty cravings that occur. As well as the glycemic index being a factor in foods, the meal plans move towards a grazing approach that also allows for the blood sugar to be maintained at a constant rather than up and down all day. It includes three meals, a dessert, and options for snacks between meals.

This program also has a live on-line conversation as well as a telephone line to provide support and information on the program.

Comparisons Using Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers

Jenny Craig

Jenny Craig began in 1983 and has a “three-level food-mind-body plan to help people lose weight and keep it off.”[3] This particular program aims to teach as well as provide meal plans for an individual. It teaches portion control of all foods, how to increase energy through exercise, and how to create balance (like Nutrisystem) in terms of lifestyle as well as nutrition in order to maintain the weight loss.

Rather than focusing on the glycemic index, Jenny Craig uses the USDA food pyramid in order to design meals and plans for a customer. The USDA food pyramid provides roughly 50% carbohydrate, 25% protein, and 25% fat for every meal plan. With this foundation in mind, the meals are provided for the individual and each person can supplement these meals with fresh fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products.

Jenny Craig also attempts to lead a person to a more ‘grazing through the day’ lifestyle with its three meals, dessert, and snacks throughout the day. However, Jenny’s program does tend to offer more guidance around the meals than around the supplemental snacks. Likewise, this program also offers a 24/7 telephone line to provide support, information, and motivation for its clients.

Weight Watchers

Begun in the 1960’s, this program has always pronounced a healthy and holistic way to lose weight. It boasts of a four-way approach: eat smarter, move more, helpful habits, get support. Like Jenny Craig, it aims to teach individuals about correct portion sizes, food nutrition, and how to eat what one needs as well as what one wants in a balanced way.[4]

Though Weight Watchers does have prepackaged meals (like Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig), it does not revolve around this approach. Rather, it leaves more room for a person to decide when, what, and how much to eat. Because of its focus on creating a healthy lifestyle for every unique person, it offers education and a point system of foods for a person to meet his or her needs throughout the day.

Like most programs, it offers support, but more in the form of meetings. One can either meet leaders and other people in the program in person at the meetings or the individual can get support through online meetings.

Conclusion

Though there are similarities in each program, each one is different. There are many types of weight loss programs like Nutrisystem and it is a lot of information to process, but it is worth the effort and time to find the program that works for each individual. So after all this information, which program is the best? All and none! Each of these programs offer a balanced approach to living a healthy lifestyle and each person has different needs. The programs above provide a template to a lifestyle, but it is up to the individual to decide on how his or her lifestyle will adapt to a new way of living. The best thing to do is find the pros and cons of each system in accordance to ones lifestyle and then begin using the program that works best for that individual.

References

[1] https://www.nutrisystem.com (the official website)

[2] https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/glycemic-index-diet

[3] https://www.webmd.com/diet/jenny-craig-what-it-is

[4] https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/weight-watchers-diet and information compiled from Weight Watcher meetings