Diet Comparison
Here is a side-by-side summary of NutriSystem and Atkins to help you compare diets and choose a weight loss plan that will work for you.
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Diets |
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Best for...
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Perfect if you don't want to prepare meals or weigh portions. One online or phone counseling session per week is included.
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Meat lovers.
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Risks
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None that are health related. However, unless you plan on buying Nutri System foods for the rest of your life, you shoudl give some thought to the dfficulty transitioning from not having to think at all about your meal contents and preparation, to actually having to do it yourself. THis transition can be extremely challenging and can set you back in your long-term weight loss goals.
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Some who try Atkins may experience constipation, fatigue, and/or headaches. There are voices in the medical and nutrition communities that fear the short and long-term effects of a diet so high in fat and cholesterol, the jury is still out on whether these fears are substantiated.
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Basic philosophy / approach
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The ultimate turn-key diet solution. All meals are prepared with appropriate nutritional and caloric needs taken into account. Easy preparation. Also provides online counseling and resources.
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Portion control? No way! The diet strictly limits—but does NOT forbid as some have suggested—carb intake. It allows unlimited amounts of many allowed foods, such as meats and cheeses.
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Foods that are / aren't allowed
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Diet consists of Nutri/system meals supplemented by fresh fruits and vegetables.
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Carbs, bad. Protein, good. Fat in all its delicious forms, no problem.
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How much work involved
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Virtually none. As long as you use the Nutri System products, following this diet is a no-brainer. All you need to provide is the will power!
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I can’t imagine a simpler approach. There is virtually no measuring or weighing or record-keeping involved. And when you eat out you simply have to tell the waiter "save the shrubs for a rabbit—I only want the MEAT".
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Cost
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$54.95 per week (includes meals and snacks). Save 15% by signing up for the Auto Ship plan.
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Generally speaking, meat and cheese are more expensive than fruits, veggies and bread. That said, the Atkins Diet does not require that you buy more costly prepared meals.
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Speed to results
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Aside from a potential initial drop that is greter, you can expect to lose 1-2 lbs. per week following this program.
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Here is where Atkins draws much of its popularity. If you follow the diet, you will lose weight. Many will lose weight dramatically at the outset, and continue at a steady clip after that. One reminder: a weight loss rate of 1 to 1.5 lbs. per week over a period of time beyond two weeks (the initial drop not uncommon to many diets) is considered healthy, and anything above that is considered unhealthy.
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Sign Up Online |
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Review
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Our review of NutriSystem
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Our review of Atkins
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More Comparisons
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