Nutrisystem is commonly known to be an effective weight-loss program, but sometimes, myths about it can get in the way of us signing up. Here are some of the most popular Nutrisystem myths that we're about to bust, so you have no more excuses.
1. "The food is so high in sodium!"
All of Nutrisystem's programs meet or fall below the USDA's recommended intake of 2,300 mg of sodium or less per day. Each meal also meets the American Heart Association's recommendations of staying below 600 mg of the salty stuff. Your exact intake will depend on the entrees you choose and the grocery items you add to your diet plan, but you can easily slash the sodium intake of your grocery additions by reading labels and making good choices. Instead of opting for canned veggies, choose fresh or frozen produce. Instead of sprinkling salt on everything, flavor your foods with herbs and spices.
The best part is, if you're on a low-sodium diet for your health, Nutrisystem's weight loss counselors can help you customize your plan to limit your sodium intake to 1,500mg. Would add that it can be reduced to 1500 mg sodium
2. "Nutrisystem is SO expensive!"
Nutrisystem is actually less expensive than many of its competitors, in part because there are no membership or meeting fees, program shipping costs, or weight loss counseling support fees.
Not only is Nutrisystem less expensive than its competitors, but it has a larger variety of shelf-stable and frozen entrees. You only have to add fresh grocery items such as vegetables, salad, fruits or yogurts. Weight loss counselors are also available at no cost from 7 a.m. to midnight EST and are happy to share tips for saving money on groceries.
3. "There are too many sweets and carbs on this plan. "
Nutrisystem foods are made with the optimal balance of nutrients, including lean proteins, healthy fats and smart carbs (which are low to medium on the Glycemic index). Plus, you can opt to customize your program. Nutrisystem offers a wide variety of snacks, some of which contain little or no sugar. Their foods are all formulated to be healthier versions of your favorite foods.
The Nutrisystem "D" Plan, intended for those with Type 2 Diabetes, meets the American Diabetes Association and American Heart Association guidelines for recommended sugar intake. Monitoring your total daily carbohydrate intake and choosing the right types of carbohydrates are the best ways to manage your blood sugars. The Nutrisystem® D® plan, along with our recommended grocery food items, provide the right amount of smart carbs.
4. "I didn't think I'd have to count calories on this diet."
Nutrisystem does most of the calorie-counting for you. The plans are designed by nutrition experts, and provide you with the right balance of nutrients and the right amount of calories to help you lose weight safely.
But if you're someone who likes to keep track of calories, Nutrisystem offers NuMi, a free online tracker that lets you easily log your daily intake, weight, activity and more. This can be particularly helpful if you're tailoring the plan to your individual food preferences and eating habits, as it will help you hold you accountable.
5. "Nutrisystem foods are full of chemicals and additives."
Nutrisystem provides a wide variety of shelf-stable and frozen foods, so it's a common misconception that their entrees are "processed foods full of chemicals." . There are more than 120 Nutrisystem foods that contain no artificial preservatives at all. Nutrisystem diet foods don't contain any artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners. Nutrisystem foods also do not contain the ingredient monosodium glutamate (MSG), nor will you find any aspartame or saccharin. The additives they do use, such as BHT, potassium sorbate, calcium propionate and sodium benzoate, meet the Food and Drug Administration's "Generally Recognized as Safe," or GRAS, criteria.
6. "There's loads of pizza and pasta on this diet—that can't be healthy!"
Nutrisystem's pizza and pasta dishes are perfectly portioned and developed to help keep you satisfied and on the weight loss track. Their portions are smaller in size and lower in calories, but higher in protein and fiber and lower in sodium than typical restaurant and homemade entrees. This way, you can still enjoy the foods you love without sacrificing your health.
7. "I'll never be able to lose weight on this program because I'm not able to exercise."
You don't need to exercise to lose weight on the Nutrisystem plan. In fact, studies have found that you're more likely to lose weight by cutting calories than increasing exercise. (To lose one pound of fat, say Harvard experts, you'd have to run five miles a day!) So don't worry that your physical limitations are going to stand in the way of your weight loss goals.
That said, if you can exercise, you should… even if it's just doing chair exercises. Exercising regularly can help preserve lean body mass and prevent your metabolism from slowing. A sluggish metabolism means you'll be burning fewer calories, even at rest. Exercise can help boost the rate at which you burn calories, even when you're sleeping. Nutrisystem encourages its members to get 150 minutes of moderately intense physical activity a week. They created the My Daily 3® activity plan, which focuses on achieving 30 minutes of physical activity per day. Start small if you can, and work your way up to doing more. As always, make sure to consult with your physician before including any type of physical activity.
8. "The flex meals will make me want to eat off the program/have a cheat day/cause cravings."
Flex meals are meals you enjoy on your own, with guidance from Nutrisystem, and are designed to set you up for life after Nutrisystem. These meals—which you can create using the tracker or by talking to your counselor—will help you learn to serve appropriate portions and nutritionally balanced meals on your own. Plus, you can visit Nutrisystem's weight loss blog, The Leaf, for hundreds of delicious, plan-friendly recipes developed by the nutrition experts at Nutrisystem. If you do feel like cheating or caving in to a craving, you can call your counselor. Let them help you talk yourself out of it by sharing their knowledge and motivating you! You can also visit The Leaf for all kinds of weight loss tips from Nutrisystem's counselors and dietitians, plus support and inspiration from real people just like you!