Diet Comparison
Here is a side-by-side summary of The Zone and NutriSystem 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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Anyone who prefers a higher protein diet but wants to eat more carbs than those allowed on the Atkins Diet.
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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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Risks
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The prescribed calorie consumption guidelines associated wth this diet may be too low for some, and this may result in feeling low in energy and/or weak. That said, calorie consumption can be increased while still following The Zone's guidelines for food distribution, thereby adressing this risk.
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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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Basic philosophy / approach
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Eat a balanced diet, BUT balanced is defined differently from the well-known Food Pyramid. Limit portions to a reasonable size.
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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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Foods that are / aren't allowed
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The basic idea is to increase protein, reduce simple carbs and processed sugar.
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Diet consists of Nutri/system meals supplemented by fresh fruits and vegetables.
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How much work involved
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Once you understand the basic approach, the diet is flexible and quite simple to follow.
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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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Cost
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While you can purchase some snacks from The Zone's web site, you can follow the diet without buying any prepared foods and/or special equipment.
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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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Speed to results
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If you follow the basic plan (800-1,220 calories per day) you may lose weight at a rate significantly faster than the 1-2 lbs. per week average that is generally viewed as a healthy rate.
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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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Sign Up Online |
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Review
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Our review of The Zone
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Our review of NutriSystem
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More Comparisons
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