The amount of mental energy involved in meal planning—looking up recipes, making store lists, grocery shopping, and more—can be exhausting, especially for busy professionals who are already spending hours every day at demanding jobs. That’s why meal delivery services can be great options: They take some things off your to-do list, all while ensuring you’re still getting the fuel you need to power through the work day.
And there are plentiful options, so most people can find something that suits their unique food preferences and health goals, including weight loss. Then there are some services, like Nutrisystem, that are designed entirely around weight loss. Nutrisystem, for example, offers a structured meal plan that includes delivery of meals and snacks, with the explicit goal of helping customers lose weight. We wanted to know more about this particular program, so we asked a member of our testing team (who’s also a certified nutrition coach) to try it out for a little while. Read on about our first-hand experience with Nutrisystem.
Nutrisystem
| Fortune score | 4/5 |
at Nutrisystem
- What We Like: Our tester liked Nutrisystem’s convenient, pre-portioned meals and snacks that didn’t require any food prep or cooking, and the emphasis on useful habits like portion control and meal planning—all of which can help streamline food decisions and lighten the mental load for professionals with busy schedules.
- Who It’s For: Professionals interested in weight loss who want to follow a structured diet without having to plan everything themselves
- What Makes it Different: Clearly defined plan that removes any guesswork, with meals and snacks shipped directly to you
Pros
- No meal prep or cooking required
- Pre-portioned meals make it easy to remain within a certain caloric range
- Users don’t have to weigh, measure, or photograph themselves
Cons
- A highly structured meal program may not appeal to everyone
- Portions sizes aren’t tailored to each person’s weight or activity levels, so the caloric values may be too low for highly active professionals or those with above-average energy demands.
- Shipping not included in price
Nutrisystem Specs
Our Experience with Nutrisystem
Nutrisystem is a meal delivery service designed to facilitate weight loss. The company says its heat-and-eat meals are high-protein and lower-glycemic, and that most of them are diabetes friendly. (Though they recommend consulting your healthcare provider before starting any new plan.)
In terms of how it works, users sign up for an individual plan and have the option of adding a partner (someone who lives in the same household) for a discounted rate. You can choose from Chef’s Picks meals, customer favorites that are automatically selected for you, or Choose My Own, which allows you to choose the specific meals you receive. Orders are shipped via FedEx within one to five business days, and customers receive tracking information via email.
As for the food itself, sample breakfasts include buttermilk waffles, a turkey sausage and egg muffin, and a cinnamon bun bar. Sample lunches include a grilled chicken sandwich, spicy kung pao noodles, and a spinach and cheese pretzel melt, and sample dinners include chicken parmesan, bourbon-style chicken, and grain-crusted pollock with vegetables. There are snacks and desserts as well, with the sample menu listing cheese puffs, butter popcorn, a vanilla ice cream sandwich, and a chocolate cupcake as options.
Pete, a member of our testing team who’s also a certified nutrition coach, used Nutrisystem for two weeks and shared his experience with us.
What We Liked
Pete appreciated a lot about the service, saying it was convenient not having to grocery shop or actually prepare meals. Here’s what else he liked.
- Overall experience (4 out of 5): As Pete explained, “What worked well for me was the simplicity and structure. I didn’t have to think about meal planning, and the pre-portioned meals made it easy to stay in a calorie deficit.” However, he added, “I did need to add some snacks and protein shakes to feel fully satisfied and get enough daily protein, because the program doesn’t adjust for your weight or activity level.” Overall, it was a convenient and structured calorie-controlled plan, and Pete appreciated the variety of lunch and dinner options—though he thought breakfast choices were a bit limited. For executives or consultants who spend most of their day making decisions, this kind of structured program reduces the need for extensive meal planning while still supporting weight-loss goals.
- Instructions (3.5 out of 5): “The food you order is heat-and-eat, rather than ingredient-based meals that require cooking,” said Pete. However, he added that the app does offer an extensive recipe library for those who want to prepare their own meals sometimes, including people who order five days of meals per week and need guidance for cooking on their own during the weekends.
- Accountability (4 out of 5): “The program relies on scheduled meals, portion-controlled foods, and in-app tracking to keep users consistent,” said Pete, adding, “While community interaction is limited compared to some other programs, the built-in routine helps reinforce accountability through daily habits.” Pete also said the program is “very structured,” offering guidance on when and what to eat so that users have a simple, calorie-controlled daily meal plan. And the Nutrisystem subscription includes access to the app, said Pete, which allows you to track food intake, physical activity, and weight-loss progress in one place.
- Sustainability (4 out of 5): Nutrisystem teaches foundational healthy habits such as portion control, balanced meal timing, and planning ahead, said Pete, adding, “While Nutrisystem doesn’t offer deep nutrition education, these behaviors are transferable and can be carried forward after leaving the program.”
- Safety (3.5 out of 5): “In general, Nutrisystem promotes healthy eating habits and does not use food or body shaming in their messages or imagery,” said Pete. He also noted that users don’t have to weigh, measure, or photograph themselves, though the app does allow users to log their weight if they choose. This may be appealing to professionals focused on weight loss who don’t want a high-pressure program that makes them feel they’re constantly being monitored.
What We Would Change
Peter had a mostly positive experience, with only minor feedback on what could be improved.
- Satiety (3 out of 5): One thing to note, said Pete, is, “Nutritionally, the program meets basic dietary needs and offers balanced meals. However, because it doesn’t tailor portions to individual weight or activity levels, some users may end up in a calorie deficit that feels too steep. I had to supplement the meals with a few snacks and protein shakes to feel fully satisfied.”
Who It’s For & Who It’s Not For
We always recommend speaking with a healthcare provider before beginning any new diet or fitness program, including Nutrisystem. Here’s who may find it more useful, and who may want to explore other options.
For: Those interested in weight loss
Nutrisystem is designed to help promote weight loss by offering a meal plan that includes the company’s ready-to-eat meals and snacks, which—if you follow the plan—can help you stay in a calorie deficit.
For: Those who prioritize convenience
The meals and snacks don’t require any prep or cooking, making Nutrisystem appealing for people who, well, don’t want to spend time doing those things.
For: Folks who need structure
Because Nutrisystem essentially tells you what to eat each day, people who thrive on structure and enjoy having their daily menu clearly dictated may appreciate this program.
Not for: People who prefer to cook their own meals
If you love to cook and prefer eating home-cooked meals, you may want to consider looking for a meal delivery service that offers meal kits instead. It wouldn’t necessarily be the same thing as using Nutrisystem, but you can often select low-calorie meal kits and note other dietary preferences in effort to put together an eating plan that suits your goals.
Not for: People with a history of disordered eating
Nutrisystem’s highly structured meal plan may not work for all people, including people with a history of disordered eating. Low-calorie foods may induce feelings of hunger, and some may view the meal plan as overly rigid and lacking in flexibility—which can be problematic for some people.
Comparing Nutrisystem to Other Products
Why The Right Weight Loss Program Matters to Professionals
Weight loss programs aren’t one-size-fits-all, and sometimes they can involve complex data entry, numerous calculations, or other tasks that often feel burdensome and time-consuming. Professionals may benefit from a streamlined program that removes all the guesswork, making something like Nutrisystem appealing. It’s not for everyone, as the meal plan could feel restrictive for some people, while others may miss cooking, but it’s one option that could help lighten the cognitive load of meal planning while allowing high performers to focus on other things instead.
Fortune’s Final Thoughts
Our tester loved the convenience of Nutrisystem, and we think it’s best suited for professionals interested in weight loss who don’t want to be tasked with making food decisions all day long—freeing them up to focus on things at work instead. One note of caution: While the program is designed to induce a calorie deficit, daily menus aren’t tailored to an individual’s activity levels or weight—so highly active professionals or those with higher caloric needs may need to adjust their food intake accordingly.
Frequently asked questions
What is the downside to Nutrisystem?
Nutrisystem is designed specifically for people interested in weight loss, and as such, may not be suitable for everyone. Even for people who are interested in weight loss, the meals may not feel filling, as our tester noted that he supplemented the meals with other foods because Nutrisystem doesn’t tailor portion sizes to your height, weight, or activity level. This means someone larger or more active, who would typically require a higher-calorie intake, may not be consuming sufficient calories because of the “one size fits all” approach. Another potential drawback is the highly structured meal plan, as some people—including those with a history of disordered eating—may not benefit from rigid eating plans.
How much does one month of Nutrisystem cost?
Prices range from $369.99 to $424.99 for 4 weeks of food, and there’s a $24.99 shipping fee. If you opt to add a partner, you can save 15 percent on their meal plan.
Does Walmart sell Nutrisystem?
Walmart sells certain Nutrisystem products in some, but not all, physical stores, as well as online. In-store availability varies by location, and not all Nutrisystem products are available in Walmart stores or on the Walmart website.