Nutrisystem vs Medifast

Two of the most popular diets around right now are Medifast and Nutrisystem. Both have lots of success stories from celebrities as well as from regular old people. But, how do you know which one is the best for you?

You've come to the right place to find out! Read on to learn more about both the Nutrisystem and the Medifast diet plans. What's different? What's the same? How do they work? And, more importantly, do they actually work?

You'll find out after you read this hub!

Nutrisystem

Nutrisystem is a weight loss plan that offers pre-packaged meals (like pizza, peanut butter cookies and pasta) that, when combined with fresh fruits and veggies from your store, allow you to eat fewer calories while also learning about portion control and healthy eating choices. The end result, you lose weight while also improving your ability to live a healthy lifestyle.

There are specialized plans available for diabetics, vegetarians and seniors, as well as Nutrisystem's basic plan.

Medifast

Medifast is a meal replacement program that calls for you to eat 5 of their pre-packaged "Medifast Meals" and then 1 "Lean and Green" meal each day. Medifast Meals consist of items like chocolate pudding, oatmeal, scrambled eggs and shakes. Then, you eat a meal you prepare of 5-7oz of lean meat (or vegetarian equivalent) plus 3 servings of veggies from a prescribed list.

In addition to their basic plan, Medifast offers weight loss plans for diabetics, vegetarians, seniors, bariatric patients, nursing mothers, teens, and those with gout.

When you get down to the basics, all diets start at the same place, and have the same goals. They all help you to restrict your caloric intake to an amount that puts you at a deficit, thereby helping you to lose weight.

Getting back to Nutrisystem vs Medifast specifically though, these two diets do have a few similarities, some of which include:

• Pre-Packaged Plan Meals
  The biggest thing these two weight loss programs have in common is that they're both based on pre-packaged meals that you purchase from the company. Now, the meals themselves are very different (see below), but, both plans build on the convenience of pre-prepared, delivered meals.
  

• Meal Frequency
  Both Medifast and Nutrisystem provide for 6 small meals a day so you can eat frequently which will help you feel full and give you the ammo to combat cravings.
  

• Cost
  Another interesting similarity, both Medifast and Nutrisystem cost about the same; approximately $11/day for the average member according to their claims.
  

• Discounts
  If you're trying to save money and you'd like to reduce that price/day, you can find both Medifast coupons and Nutrisystem coupons online. They have different offers running from time to time, but both usually run some sort of promotion that will get you a week or two of free food, as well as discounts off your order.
  

• Exercise
  You'll find that both plans also require you to exercise regularly in addition to following their guidelines to achieve optimum results.
  

• Free Counseling, Coaching and Online Tools
  Both Nutrisystem and Medifast give plan users free access to their online discussion boards, online weight loss tools, and coaches.
  

• Multiple Success Stories
  Another similarity; both plans have a special spot on their site for success stories, and they both have a lot! These success stories on both websites are about people who lose a wide range of amounts of weight, from 20-30lbs all the way to 100+ lbs. And both include celebrities of course!
  

Even though there are quite a few similarities when you look at Nutrisystem vs Medifast, the main difference is most likely what will nudge you to choose one plan over the other......

The Meals

What you eat is probably THE biggest difference between the two plans. While both plans offer pre-packaged meals which makes them convenient, the meals themselves are pretty different. Both plans do offer nutrition/granola bars and some other similar snacks, but that's about it.

Nutrisystem plan members eat all of their meals and snacks based around a plan meal. There are fruits, veggies, some low fat dairy items and occasionally meats and fish that dieters buy at the store as well, but, these are only meant to supplement the main Nutrisystem meal. Main dish ptions on the Nutrisystem plan include a lot of common "favorites" like pizza, brownies and pasta. And while small in portion sizes these dishes are actual meals.

Those who diet with Medifast enjoy 5 Medifast Meals like pudding, shakes, oatmeal and more each day as well as one "Lean and Green" meal. This lean and green meal is prepared by the participant and is made up of 5-7 oz of lean meal (chicken, fish, turkey, etc) and 3 servings of veggies like portabella mushrooms, spinach, broccoli, asparagus, etc. You eat these 6 meals in any order you choose which increases the variety.

Also, to help you mix it up further, since many of the Medifast Meals are based on dried ingredients (like oatmeal, soups etc) there are a lot of Medifast recipes you can find both online and through the program that can be made into other foods (for example - using a packet of brown sugar oatmeal along with a bit of egg substitute to make pancakes).

In all honesty, only you, the dieter can make a diet plan a success or a failure. That said though, when you look at Nutrisystem vs Medifast, I think it's safe to say the they both work....at least for quite a few people.