5 Disadvantages of the Nutrisystem Diet

It's the ultimate in convenience: a diet program that allows you to lose weight simply by eating the pre-packaged meals sent to your home every week. This no-think, lose-as-you-eat diet program is called the Nutrisystem Diet, which claims to remove the guesswork out of eating right to lose weight.

But like all diets, the Nutrisystem Diet isn't perfect. Some experts worry Nutrisystem doesn't teach dieters how to maintain their weight, which may cause them to pile on the pounds after qutting the program. There are also many other disadvantages of the Nutrisystem Diet that won't bode well with most dieters, such as the additional food you must also buy and the less-than-appetizing prepackaged meals.

Disadvantages of the Nutrisystem Diet

1. Many people do not find the prepackaged meals palatable. Numerous people have commented about the food's lack of quality, especially concerning their prepackaged meats, which are chocked full of fat or gristle. Others criticize the Nutrisystem Diet because the food tastes processed, not fresh, flavorful or even tolerable.

2. You're allowed to choose your own foods, but they don't always get sent. Instead of a vegetarian-friendly meal, Nutrisystem may opt to send a meaty taco instead. Have allergies? Be careful-sometimes they may switch out your allergy-free dinner for a more sinister dish. They often won't tell you ahead of time, either.

3. The Nutrisystem Diet really doesn't provide all the food you'll need every week. They will supply the bulk of your meal, but you are also required to purchase your own milk, vegetables and fruits every week. And no, Nutrisystem will not reimburse you for these weekly purchases, which can easily add up.

4. Many of their meals are rich in vitamins, healthy carbohydrates and...sodium? It's true, it's true-Nutrisystem isn't shy about adding sodium to their prepackaged meals, often at the cost of your health. The American Heart Association recommends avoiding high-sodium foods because it can increase your heart disease and stroke risk. It also raises your blood pressure, increasing your risk for a plethora of other health problems. A diet should improve your health-not put it in jeopardy.

5. The Nutrisystem diet does not include a maintenance phase, arguably its most significant disadvantage. This can make or break your diet-without being given the proper tools to learn how to eat after the end of the diet, many people resort to their old eating habits. And those pesky pounds you shed thanks to Nutrisystem? Soon to follow.

Is it Really That Bad?: If you're willing to sacrifice flavor for a smaller waistline, Nutrisystem isn't a terrible choice-but it isn't the best choice either. If you find the disadvantages of the Nutrisystem Diet heavily outweigh its advantages, however, choose a different, more palatable diet plan instead.

Sources:
"Sodium (Salt or Sodium Chloride)" (AmericanHeart.org)