What Is Nutrisystem?
With over 50 years of experience, Nutrisystem is a trusted weight loss solution designed by dietitians to help you lose weight and improve overall health by delivering nutritious, perfectly portioned meals and snacks to your door.
Nutrisystem is based on a high-protein, lower-glycemic approach designed to help keep blood sugar levels steady and control hunger. You get the right balance of carbs, fiber, and protein to help keep you feeling fuller and more satisfied as you lose weight.
The Nutrisystem menu includes a combination of pantry-ready and freshly frozen meals, including a premium line of Hearty Inspirations® meals with up to 30 grams of protein. Enjoy breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks— ready in minutes.
Nutrisystem now offers more options than ever to fit your goals and lifestyle:
- High Protein or Low Carb Meal Plans: Enjoy 2 daily Nutrisystem meals of your choice. Dietitian designed for healthy weight loss
- Club Advantage: Membership option that lets you order the meals you need when you want, plus access to support when you need it
- Partner: Lose weight with someone living in the same household
- Women 50 & Up: Designed to burn stubborn belly fat, reduce hot flashes, boost metabolism and fight other menopause symptoms
- The Nutrisystem Program: Looking for more structure? Check out our fully structured program and enjoy a breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack daily
Nutrisystem is a high protein weight loss program. You get the protein you need to lose weight while helping control hunger, preserve lean muscle, and increase energy. It’s a convenient way to hit your protein goals without having to count calories or macros.
Nutrisystem is built for your lifestyle. We know that people lose weight differently—and the demand for quick and easy meals that are nutritious has never been higher.
The Nutrisystem Meal Plans allow you the flexibility to add in some of your own meals, all while following the proven Nutrisystem science. Choose from high protein, low carb and more.
Nutrisystem recently introduced Club Advantage—perfect for the DIY dieter who is looking to create their own plan to lose weight and get healthy but could use a little help. You get the meals you want, when you want, delivered to your door.
Is It Easy to Follow?
“Nutrisystem is simple, effective and easy to follow,” says Mandi Knowles, a registered dietitian and the Senior Director of Research and Development. “You get daily guidance that suggests what to eat and when. There’s also an official Nutrisystem® app and personal coaching available. In fact, according to our research 4 out 5 people say no other plan is as easy to follow as Nutrisystem*.”
*Based on a January 2025 customer survey with 2444 Nutrisystem customer responses.
How Does Nutrisystem Work?
To get started, choose your option, delivery frequency and preferred menu—enjoy a selection of Chef’s favorites or customize to your taste.
Tip: Chef’s favorites are a great way to start. It allows you to try a variety of meals and find the ones that you like best.
Meals are delivered right to your door and you can access the step-by-step guides, customizable meal planners, app and personal coaching whenever needed. You’ll also supplement your Nutrisystem meals with lean proteins, healthy fats, good carbohydrates and vegetables, and create your own healthy meals made using our guidelines.
With the meal plans, you’ll enjoy 2 daily Nutrisystem meals or snacks. If you’re looking for more structure, you can opt for the Nutrisystem program, which offers daily breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks delivered every 4 weeks.
Looking to build your own meal plan? We offer Club Advantage membership where you can order any amount of meals you want and get them delivered to your door.
Can the Nutrisystem Diet Help Me Lose Weight?
Millions have reached their weight loss goals with Nutrisystem’s clinically proven program. It’s dietitian-designed and science-backed to provide a high-protein, lower glycemic approach to help control hunger and support weight loss.
Initial Weight Loss
In a clinical study, Nutrisystem showed promising weight loss results, with participants losing 50% more weight in their first month than a group who dieted on their own.
Disclaimer: Studies show avg weight loss on Nutrisystem was 9.2lbs vs (only) 5.9lbs dieting on their own
Among a clinical study of menopausal women, participants on the Nutrisystem program lost up to 15 pounds in three months, with much of the weight loss from harmful belly fat. In a study the average was 10.1 lbs in 3 months.
Long-Term Weight Loss
Nutrisystem is designed to help with weight loss and long-term weight loss maintenance, providing the customer flex meals and guidance, 7 vs. 5 days of food options, recommendations for maintenance calories using SmartAdapt, flexible meal plans and Club Advantage – all tools designed to aid in long term weight loss management.
Health Benefits of Protein
Protein is essential for sustainable weight loss and healthy living, especially as we age. Following a diet high in protein like Nutrisystem’s High Protein Meal Plan can help:
- Boost metabolism
- Preserve lean muscle
- Control hunger
- Reduce cravings
- Keep blood sugar levels steady
Health Risks of Nutrisystem
No indications of serious short-term risks or adverse side effects on Nutrisystem have surfaced.
Who Should Not Follow Nutrisystem?
The company does not recommend its programs for certain groups of people, including:
- People who are pregnant
- Anyone who has had an eating disorder within the last five years
- Those with a BMI of under 18.5
- People with certain dietary restrictions and food allergies, including allergies to soy, gluten and peanuts
- Anyone under the age of 18
If you have a pre-existing health condition, consult your doctor before starting a new diet.
What Foods Can I Eat on Nutrisystem?
In addition to eating Nutrisystem meals and snacks, you will also add in some grocery foods.
The Nutrisystem Grocery Guide groups these into three main categories, plus extras and free foods:
- PowerFuels include lean meats, fish, milk, yogurt, cheese and other dairy products, nuts and seeds, oils, tempeh and soy.
- SmartCarbs include beans, legumes, whole-grain bread, fruit, starchy vegetables, oatmeal, quinoa and more.
- Vegetables include all non-starchy veggies—everything from beets to okra, onions, squash, dark leafy greens and more.
- Extrasinclude condiments and sauces like agave sweetener, cocktail sauce, sour cream and jelly.
- Free foods are low-calorie foods that Nutrisystem says you’re unlikely to overconsume during the day. These include spices, herbs and some beverages like iced tea, espresso and seltzer.
Specialty Diets
Nutrisystem can accommodate some, but not all, dietary restrictions:
- Nutrisystem offers some vegetarian dishes, including cinnamon rolls, spinach and cheese pretzel melts and margherita pizza.
- Nutrisystem offers some lacto-ovo vegetarian meals and snacks but does not offer vegan items.
- Gluten Free. Nutrisystem does not offer certified gluten-free foods and it is not advisable for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
- Although some Nutrisystem meals contain gelatin, which is mostly derived from pork, you can exclude them from your menu. The meals and manufacturing facilities are not certified halal.
- It is not recommended to do Nutrisystem if you adhere to a kosher diet. The Nutrisystem foods and manufacturing facilities are not certified kosher.
What Foods Do I Avoid on Nutrisystem?
On Nutrisystem, no foods are entirely forbidden but there are recommendations for best choices. You are even able to dine out and still stay on track when following your Flex Meal guidelines. They also offer an Eating Out Guide with recommendations categorized by cuisine, such as Thai, Italian and French.
Nutrisystem Diet Tips and Advice
Since her teenage years, Michelle has worried about her weight. Now in her mid-40s, she remembers the peak of her weight gain that became a turning point in her eventual weight loss journey.
“After the birth of my second child, the number on the scale was higher than it had ever been,” she says. “I was scared and unsure of what to do. I tried Nutrisystem as a last resort because it was the only program I hadn’t tried before.”
Michelle decided to give Nutrisystem a shot after learning about a friend from high school who had found success on the program.
“Nutrisystem makes it so easy,” she says. “All the info you need comes alongside the first delivery of the food. It was such an easy program to follow that I didn’t have a ton of questions, but when I did, I could call Nutrisystem and get help.”
The program worked, and she saw immediate results. After one week on Nutrisystem, she had lost 5 pounds. In six months, she lost 41 pounds. At the same time, she says she was still excited to eat her next meal and was saving money on her weekly grocery bills. The Nutrisystem program has been transformative for her health, she says.
“Before Nutrisystem, I was not someone that was active,” she says. “I think the thing I am most proud of, though, is that I am an active mom. I didn’t want to be a mom on the sidelines watching her kids grow up. I wanted to be an active participant. And that is what I am (now).”
In order to be successful on the program, Michelle adds, consistency is key.
“Nutrisystem can change your life if you let it. I know because it changed mine,” she says. “Stick to the plan and stay consistent. Consistency is always going to win. A lot of people give up on most programs because they feel they don’t see results fast enough. Be patient and trust the process.”
Expect to lose an avg 1-2lbs a week. Weight loss depends on starting weight and program adherence.
