What is Nutrisystem and how can it help my patients control their weight?

The foundation of all Nutrisystem^® programs is the provision of healthy portion-controlled foods. Structuring a low-calorie diet in this way has been found to facilitate adherence and enhance weight loss in comparison to simple instruction or advice to reduce calorie intake. Nutrisystem provides frozen or shelf-stable entrées and snacks, which customers supplement with grocery foods (including vegetables, fruit, protein and low-fat dairy items) to provide total nutrition. To add to the convenience of a structured diet, Nutrisystem^® foods are home-delivered and accompanied by printed, online, and mobile tools that guide customers toward full program adherence. The resulting meal plans are hypo-caloric, low in glycemic index, and consistent with national guidelines for general nutrition. Customers with specific health needs (e.g., sodium restriction) can work with a trained Nutrisystem counselor to customize their meal plans accordingly.

How does Nutrisystem support the maintenance of weight loss?

The heavy emphasis on prepackaged food may lead some to believe that Nutrisystem is only a short-term weight loss solution. However, Nutrisystem recently introduced Transition and Maintenance plans designed to help customers gradually step down from the high level of structure that is characteristic of our traditional weight loss programs. Customers learn portion control through practice and with the help of a portion-control tool kit (including graduated serving utensils and a plating template). In addition, customers receive detailed instruction on applying the principles of the Nutrisystem way of eating when they are preparing their own meals or eating out. As with the standard Nutrisystem weight loss program, customers on transition and maintenance plans have unlimited access to Nutrisystem counselors and Nutrition and Dietary consultants.

What does Nutrisystem have to say about physical activity?

The importance of exercise in a healthy lifestyle modification program is undeniable. Nutrisystem encourages customers to incorporate at least 30 minutes of physical activity into their daily lives. This can be accomplished in one continuous bout or in three bouts of 10 minutes or more. The Nutrisystem My Daily 3 plan includes guidance on what types of exercise to incorporate, and at what intensity, based on customers' preferences, goals, and abilities. We expect that customers who follow the My Daily 3 activity plan will not only receive cardiorespiratory benefits and preserve more lean muscle mass during weight loss, but also will build an activity habit that will help them maintain their weight

Nutrisystem ads are always disclaimed with "Results not typical." What is the typical result for Nutrisystem customers?

The calorie content of Nutrisystem programs is intended to induce a weight loss of 1 to 2 lb per week. An analysis of over 100,000 customers who recorded their weight online at the start of treatment and again after 3 months found that the average weight loss was 18.2 lb (SD = 14.6 lb) during that time. That loss was equivalent to an 8.3% reduction in initial body weight. The National Institutes of Health and the Institute of Medicine consider even modest reductions of 5%-10% of initial weight to be clinically meaningful among overweight and obese individuals. Our analysis found that 79.4% of customers achieved at least a 5% weight loss at 3 months, including 33% who lost at least 10% of their initial body weight.

What is the glycemic index (GI) and why is it important?

A food's GI value refers to its effect on blood glucose. High-GI foods (many refined grains, for example) typically induce a steep and rapid increase in blood glucose, followed by a precipitous decline. By contrast, lower-GI foods (including whole grains and non-starchy vegetables, for example) stimulate a more tempered rise in blood glucose, with a lower peak and more gradual decline. Glycemic load (GL) is a related construct that factors in carbohydrate quantity as well as quality.

Perhaps the most meaningful advantage of low-GI eating is its role in managing blood sugar in people who have, or are at risk for, diabetes. A systematic review and meta-analysis found that the reduction in HbA1c was 0.5% greater among patients with diabetes who followed a diet low in GI or GL compared with high-GI/GL alternatives. Two recent studies that employed continuous glucose monitoring found that dietary GI was more strongly related to glycemic response than was carbohydrate intake in persons with type 2 diabetes as well as in normoglycemic participants with abdominal obesity.

Results of individual studies on the effect of GI on weight loss have been inconsistent. A meta-analysis suggested a small but significant advantage for low-calorie low-GI/GL diets vs. higher-GI/GL alternatives. Some research also suggests a smaller reduction in resting metabolic rate during weight loss achieved with a low-GI/GL diet, compared with a high-GI/GL diet.

Are there any "special" ingredients that are supposed to help patients lose weight?

No. Our low-GI programs contain high-fiber, nutrient-dense carbohydrates and adequate amounts of protein and healthy fat. These properties promote satiety, but there is no magic in our food. Nutrisystem supports weight control by offering good nutrition in reasonable portions, not by promoting fads.

Is there more to Nutrisystem than food?

Yes. In contrast to a "diet," Nutrisystem aims to provide customers with the framework and the tools to achieve long-term weight control. Additional program components are shown in the table below.

What is Nutrisystem doing to meet the aggressive new guidelines for sodium restriction?

Nutrisystem programs (including the recommended grocery additions) provide approximately 2000 mg/day of sodium. This is a dramatic improvement over the 3400 mg/day that the average American consumes and is consistent with the target of < 2300 mg/day in the general adult population, as recommended in the USDA's Dietary Guidelines for Americans — 2010.

We note that the new Guidelines recommend that persons in certain subgroups (i.e., those over 51 years old, as well as those of any age who are African-American or have diabetes, hypertension, or chronic kidney disease) should further restrict sodium intake to < 1500 mg/day. This target is also recommended by the Institute of Medicine and the American Heart Association. Customers who seek this level of sodium restriction can achieve it by working with a Nutrisystem counselor to ensure selection of appropriate Nutrisystem^® menu items and grocery additions

Who should not use Nutrisystem?

Nutrisystem considers the following conditions to be contraindications to its program:

Other conditions or medication use may require dietary customization and/or approval from the customer's healthcare provider. Click here to download a more detailed list of considerations.