Nutrisystem Vs. Optavia: Who Came Out On Top?

My husband and I had some friends over recently, and a friend’s wife, Stacy, and I ended up chatting forever about our weight loss struggles. It was such a relief to bond with someone over this! I’d tried everything, but nothing had worked.

A New Chance: Optavia

She told me she’d just started something new that was finally working for her: Optavia. I’d never heard of it before, but she launched into a monologue about everything they offer (shakes, meal replacements, etc.), how delicious it was, and how she’d already lost weight.

I planned to pick up some of their foods at the grocery store, but she told me she could get everything for me, and drop it off at my house! Such a lovely gesture from a new friend.

FOOD

Unfortunately, I wasn’t as thrilled with the food as she was; some of their meals definitely had a strange aftertaste.

A wide range of Optavia’s offerings are powdered and time-consuming to prepare, and they don’t offer a wide selection of meals. Some Optavia examples include: Golden Chocolate Chip Pancake Mix, Creamy Chocolate Shake Mix, Caramel Delight Crisp Bar, Honey Mustard & Onion Sticks, and Homestyle Chick'n Noodle Soup Mix.

I also found myself eating more outside the meal plan since the Optavia’s food was just not filling me up. She called me up and asked what I thought, and I tried to be polite, thanking her for the recommendation.

She told me how grateful she was for the chance to introduce me to Optavia, and asked if I wanted to repay her and introduce someone else to Optavia. Huh?!

PRICE

I felt like I was stuck in a circle! Stacy told me I could make money by signing up someone else for Optavia; social selling, she called it. I thought about it. This wasn’t cheap! I wanted to recoup my losses.

Their Essential Optimal Kit starts at $378.25, but in the end, I just couldn’t justify getting someone else to pay for it when I didn’t really like it.

SUPPORT

Once Stacy understood that I would not be buying more products, and also not getting anyone else to try Optavia, I noticed she unfriended me on Facebook. I cannot tell you how heartbroken I was!

She wrote about being an Optavia Coach, but she’d also confided in me that she was still not hitting her goals.

I was crushed. Not only did I lose a "friend," but this was also another failed attempt at a weight loss plan. I was ready to give up on feeling good in my body.

Another Chance: Nutrisystem

I was texting a different friend about my experience with Stacy, and she asked me if I’d ever tried Nutrisystem.

I joked if she was getting paid by Nutrisystem and she said absolutely not; she didn’t care at all if I tried it, but her coworker really liked the meals and had lost a lot of weight and kept it off.

Here we go again, I thought. Fine. One more time.

FOOD

Nutrisystem is a legacy brand with multiple plans that deliver food right to your home. You get to eat 6 times a day, and they offer high-protein, high-fiber options of some of your favorite foods, so you don’t have to give up anything.

There are over 150+ menu choices that include snacks like White Cheddar Popcorn and Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwiches (Yum!). As for the meals, you’ll find all your favorites in lower-calorie versions!

Their Hearty Inspiration Meals are packed with up to 30 grams of protein to keep you fuller for longer and they’re beloved; Beef Lo Mein, Bourbon-Style Chicken, and Cajun-Style Chicken and Shrimp Sauté are all favorites.

Then there are Restaurant Faves — inspired by popular dishes from some of my favorite restaurants (but portioned with half the calories). No FOMO! The Bistro-Style Toasted Ravioli has a mouth-watering three-cheese blend.

PRICE

The Basic plan starts at $279.79 a month, plus free shipping! But I started with the Women’s Unique Yours Max+ Plan for $369.99; it covered 5 days of meals and snacks, so I was only responsible for about 2 days on my own (hello, less expensive grocery lists!).

There are also deals if you buy more than one month at a time; plans start as low as $10 a day.

SUPPORT

The NuMi app allows you to easily log, record and track your progress; it’s a community-oriented space where you can talk to Nutrisystem coaches (who have actually been trained!), available 24/7 to help you stay on track.

You’ll also find opportunities to join fun weight loss challenges and access to hundreds of recipes to practice cooking your own healthy meals.

I chose the Women’s Plan but here are some of their other plans:

• Partner Plan - You can do this plan with the support of a spouse, family member or friend!
• Men’s Plan - Dietitian-designed for men with one extra snack a day
• Diabetic Plan - Achieve your goals and factor in your blood sugar
• Vegetarian Plan - Choose from 90+ vegetarian meals and snacks