Nutrisystem for Men: Does This Diet Program Actually Work?

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If you’re short on time and trying to lose weight, you may have considered trying Nutrisystem before.

Nutrisystem for Men is a popular weight loss program for men that provides pre-made meals and snacks, making it easier to limit your calorie intake and lose weight quickly. As part of the program, you’ll receive three meals and a snack or two each day, so most of the food is already taken care of for you.

Lots of people have tried the program and found good results from it, at least for the short time they were an active member. Still, there are some concerns about the sustainability of the program in regards to both price and health. It is very expensive, and—according to experts—may not be safe or nutritious to follow long term.

In this review, we’ll discuss how Nutrisystem for Men works, the pros and cons of the program, who should and shouldn’t try it and how it compares to other, similar weight loss programs.

Keep reading this Nutrisystem review to learn more about Nutrisystem for Men, and if it would be a good fit for you.

This content is meant to be informative, but should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention or treatment of health problems. Always speak with your doctor before starting any new supplement or exercise regimen.

What Is Nutrisystem for Men?

Nutrisystem for Men is a comprehensive weight loss and meal delivery program designed for men. On the program, most of your food is provided for you in the form of Nutrisystem-branded prepackaged meals and snacks.

It works by limiting your calorie intake. All of Nutrisystem’s packaged foods are designed to provide an average of 100–360 calories each. Note: the dinner selections have a higher calorie count than breakfast and snack options.

On average, men need more calories than women because of their larger frames and increased muscle mass. For this reason, Nutrisystem for Men offers an extra snack, along with plans that are slightly higher in calories than Nutrisystem’s typical offerings.

How Nutrisystem for Men Works

After you sign up and receive your meals, you can begin following your diet plan.

With Nutrisystem, you eat five to six small meals each day rather than fewer, larger meals. For guidance on what to eat and when, you can use Nutrisystem’s NuMi app. The nutrition app also provides the following tools:

• Food, water and activity tracking
• Nutrisystem-approved recipes
• Motivation tools like challenges and rewards
• Personalization based on your height, weight, age, activity and progress towards your goals

Additionally, Nutrisystem for Men encourages you to utilize its team of coaches for one-on-one support if you need it. The company has coaches available to meet your schedule.

Once you sign up for the program, you’ll receive new shipments of food every four weeks until you cancel.

What You Can Eat on Nutrisystem for Men

On Nutrisystem for Men, you can eat any of the food that Nutrisystem ships to you. This includes breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks. Its meals are free of artificial flavors and sweeteners, and are designed to provide you with roughly 1,500 calories per day or more.

Additionally, it offers some higher protein options (which contain up to 30 grams of protein per meal), and all of its meals are designed to have a limited effect on your blood sugar levels.

Nutrisystem also includes opportunities for you to prepare your own meals (called “Flex Meals”), or supplement your Nutrisystem meals with extra foods.

These extra meals and snacks should be composed of:

• Lean protein: salmon, skinless chicken, egg, beans, lentils, chickpeas, etc.
• Whole grains: whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta, brown rice, etc.
• Healthy fats: nuts, seeds, avocado, olive oil
• Fruit: apples, grapes, oranges, kiwi, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, etc.
• Non-starchy vegetables: broccoli, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, greens, zucchini, cauliflower, etc.
• Low-fat dairy: low-fat yogurt, low-fat milk, low-fat cheese

With these foods, Nutrisystem stresses the importance of portion control to keep your calorie intake low. The NuMi app and Nutrisystem website provide resources for estimating portion sizes, and you can also purchase a portion control tool from the Nutrisystem online store.

It's important to consult with your doctor before making any dietary changes. If you have underlying concerns like body dysmorphia, disordered eating or an eating disorder, please consult your doctor before beginning a weight loss program. Therapy or a more psychological approach to weight management may be needed.

The Pros of Nutrisystem for Men

If you follow the Nutrisystem program, it’s very likely to result in fast weight loss. This is because it restricts your calories to about 1,500 per day—which is well below the daily caloric needs of most adult men. (It's important to consult with a doctor to ensure safe and healthy weight loss.)

In fact, studies have shown that Nutrisystem can help people lose about four percent more weight than receiving diet counseling alone can.

Another study found that, after three months, participants on Nutrisystem lost an average of 7.1 percent of their body weight, while the control group participants lost an average of 0.4 percent.

Additionally, this study shows Nutrisystem may offer benefits for diabetes management.

However, if you have diabetes, it’s important to speak with your healthcare provider before you make a big change to your diet.

Finally, according to Kelsey Lorencz, RDN, dietitian and nutrition advisor for Zenmaster Wellness, “Nutrisystem follows a 2,300 milligram sodium plan, making it healthier than many other prepared meal plans.”

The Cons of Nutrisystem for Men

However, according to Lorencz, there are some cons to Nutrisystem that men should be aware of.

First, the program is very expensive. Even the lowest cost Nutrisystem for Men plan costs $11.61 per day, or about $325 per month. If you have a lot of weight to lose, and will need to be on the plan for several months, the cost can quickly become unsustainable. 

Also the meals provided by Nutrisystem are mostly composed of carbs and protein foods, with some premium meals including veggies. “To include any substantial amount of vegetables, fruit or other plants in your diet,” explains Lorencz, “you’d have to add them separately.”

What Customers Say About Nutrisystem for Men

Nutrisystem has over 2,000 reviews on Trustpilot, and an average of 1.4 stars out of 5 for a “Bad” rating. Likewise, it has 2.46 out of 5 stars on the Better Business Bureau website, from over 300 reviews.

While many of the poor reviews are related to billing and subscription issues, several customers also say that the food doesn’t taste very good.

However, there are a handful of reviewers who say that they did lose weight on Nutrisystem. One reviewer says, “I did lose two-thirds of my six-month goal in four months.” Another review from 2022 says, “Nutrisystem does work, I’ve lost 20 pounds since I started in February 2022.”

Who Nutrisystem for Men Is Best For

Nutrisystem may be a decent option for men who need to lose weight, who can afford its steep monthly price and who also don’t have time to prepare healthy meals on their own.

Who Nutrisystem for Men Is Not Best For

Nutrisystem for Men is a low-calorie program, which Lorencz says may make it a particularly poor choice for men who are physically active and men with diabetes.

If you work out regularly or have a physically involved job, you will need to eat more calories than Nutrisystem for Men provides to fuel your body and your brain.

Additionally, an extremely low calorie diet such as this one can be harmful for people with diabetes as it may increase their risk of hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) episodes. If you have diabetes, be sure to speak with your healthcare provider before deciding on Nutrisystem for Men, or look into their diabetes-specific meal plan.

Factors to Consider Before Purchasing Nutrisystem for Men

Meal Options

On Nutrisystem for Men, you can choose between three different plans. The key difference between these plans is the type of meals you receive. The more expensive “Uniquely Yours” plans offer a wider variety of foods:

• Men’s Basic: Contains Nutrisystem’s “classic menu” of shelf-stable foods, including options like Santa Fe Style Chicken and White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
• Men’s Uniquely Yours: Offers everything from the basic plan, plus frozen meals and classic “Restaurant Faves” such as Buffalo-Style Chicken Flatbread and Bistro-Style Toasted Ravioli
• Men’s Uniquely Yours Max+: Provides everything from Men’s Basic and Men’s Uniquely Yours, plus protein shakes, premium “Restaurant Faves” and high-protein “Hearty Inspirations” such as Chicken Bianca Pizza and Swedish-Style Meatballs with Green Beans

Cost

Cost is an important consideration. The Nutrisystem program is very expensive, especially compared to other paid weight loss plans like Noom and Weight Watchers, which don’t provide food.

Here’s a breakdown of Nutrisystem for Men’s pricing:

• Men’s Basic: starting at $11.61 per day, or roughly $324.99 per month
• Men’s Uniquely Yours: starting at $12.32 per day, or roughly $344.99 per month
• Mens’ Uniquely Yours Max+: starting at $14.11 per day, or roughly $394.99 per month

Subscription

It’s also important to remember that Nutrisystem is a subscription service. After you sign up, you will be billed every four weeks for a new shipment of food until you cancel.

You have until 6:00 p.m. EST the day before your next order is scheduled to cancel without being charged. You can call Nutrisystem or start a chat on the Nutrisystem website to cancel.

Other Bundles, Promotions and Discounts

Nutrisystem offers several other plans, programs and bundles—including Nutrisystem for Women and diabetes plans plans.

If you’re following Nutrisystem with your spouse or partner, you can also sign up for a partner plan to receive enough meals for two people starting at $9.99 per day, per person.

Finally, Nutrisystem regularly offers discounts and promotions for new sign-ups in their first month. For instance, at the time of writing, the brand is offering 50 percent off all plans and free shipping throughout the continental U.S.

Does Nutrisystem for Men Work?

If fast weight loss is what you want, then Nutrisystem for Men can work. However, it’s important to remember that fast weight loss and healthy eating don’t necessarily go hand-in-hand.

Nutrisystem limits calories to a level that is often unsustainable. So, while you may lose weight quickly, it’s likely to come back if you don’t follow healthy eating habits when you stop using Nutrisystem.

Likewise, the food you receive on Nutrisystem is processed, but luckily you can add lots of your own fruits and vegetables as part of the program.

Finally, Nutrisystem is very expensive, which can make it difficult to follow long-term. Albeit with sky-rocketing grocery prices the gap is much closer.

Instead of Nutrisystem for Men, a better option may be a weight loss program such as Noom or WeightWatchers. Neither of these programs require you to eat prepackaged foods, so they’re much less expensive, and they can help you learn to make healthier decisions that lead to long-term lifestyle change. The downside is they are far less structured and require a lot of your own cooking.

FAQs

Do men lose weight on Nutrisystem?

Yes, if they follow the program then most men will lose weight on Nutrisystem because it limits calorie intake.

How long do most men stay on Nutrisystem?

It differs drastically depending on weight loss goals and budget. Nutrisystem for Men is a four-week program, so some men may only need one or two four-week cycles to reach their goals, while others may need more. 

How long does it take for men to see results on Nutrisystem?

According to Nutrisystem, you will probably see weight loss results in your first week. Nutrisystem for Men provides only about 1,500 calories per day, which for most men is a large enough calorie deficit to promote immediate weight loss.

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