How We Determined the Best Diet Plans of 2021
Anyone who’s ever tried to lose weight on their own knows: It’s no walk in the park. But with so many diet companies claiming to have cracked the code on weight loss, choosing the best diet plan can feel even harder.
The truth is, there is no miracle one-size-fits-all weight loss plan, and the best diet plan for weight loss is the one you can actually stick with. That means it’s important to decide what you value most in a diet plan, and base your selection on that.
To help you decide what diet plan is best for you, we’ve broken down some of the top criteria you probably care about most.
Our criteria for determining the best diet and weight loss plans:
Diet Food
One of the first considerations when you’re shopping for the best diet plan for weight loss is whether you prefer food to be provided to you or you just want guidance in preparing your own healthy meals. This is a big differentiator between many of the diet plans on the market. Some, like Nutrisystem, will deliver pre-portioned, nutritionally balanced meals to your door—so all you have to do is eat the food and you’ll lose weight. These diet plans are great for those who are too busy to worry about preparing meals, and those who need help familiarizing themselves with what proper portions and balanced meals look like.
Other diet plans, like Noom, provide you with the resources and guidance you need to plan your own healthy meals. Options like these focus on empowering you to make healthy decisions on your own, a skill that will ensure long-term success. These types of diet plans are great for those who have the time to shop for groceries and prepare their own recipes.
If you opt for a diet plan that does include food, you’ll want to read the details about just how many meals and snacks are included. In the case of Nutrisystem, you can choose from a few different plans, and each comes with different quantities of food. Not only that, make sure you understand if you’ll need to supplement your diet plan. Some weight loss programs will provide your meals and snacks, but will require that you add in fresh fruits and vegetables.
You’ll also want to take a look at the menu to decide if there is a wide enough selection for your taste. Critics of some food delivery companies say there isn’t enough variety to keep them interested or excited, which can lead to non-compliance. Some companies, like Nutrisystem, offer tiered programs, with the lowest tier including a limited menu or a preset meal plan, and the highest tier including customizable menus and access to all meals and snacks on the menu.
And don’t forget to look into what type of food you’re getting. If the meals are frozen, you’ll need to consider if you have enough space to store them. If they’re shelf stable, make sure you have room in your pantry. It’s also important to understand just how many meals and snacks you’re getting, and what you’ll need in order to store and prepare them.
If you follow a special diet, and want a plant-based diet plan, a keto diet meal plan, a mediterranean diet meal plan, a diabetic diet plan or a low carb diet plan, you’ll want to be sure these are options.
Diet Food Delivery
If you do opt for a diet plan that includes food, you’ll want to decide what delivery cadence makes sense for you. Some plans, like Diet-to-Go will deliver your food weekly. Others, like Nutrisystem, will deliver your food monthly.
You’ll also want to check if you have to pay extra for shipping.
Diet Plan Price
Obviously, diet plans that include food will cost you more than those that don’t. But how much should you spend? We suggest doing the math. Take the average you spend on food for yourself each week and compare it to what the diet plan will cost you per week. Make sure you check if the diet plan you are considering requires you to add any extra food and factor that into your cost calculation as well.
Weight Loss Support
This is an area that differs greatly across the various diet plans on the market, so we’ve broken down some of the ways brands provide support while you lose weight:
Weight Loss Experts
Health coaches, dietitians, nutritionists, weight loss counselors, fitness gurus… these are just some of the expert personnel at your disposal, depending upon the diet plan you select. Having access to these experts can be extremely beneficial whether you have questions about navigating your weight loss program or you just need help deciding what to eat when dining out.
If you choose a diet plan that does not include food, these experts can be invaluable resources since they can help you decide what to eat, and provide nutritional education that will last you a lifetime.
Community
Some weight loss companies enable members to interact through dedicated online forums and chat rooms, which can be very helpful for those who don’t want to feel like they’re going at it alone.
Digital Support
Acknowledging that we live in a digital world, many weight loss companies now offer apps and online resources designed to provide support from your first day on your diet plan to your last.
Companies like Noom are primarily app-based, while companies like Nutrisystem provide a companion app that enables you to track your food and water intake, your exercise, and your weight, and includes expert weight loss tips, recipes and exclusive offers on program upgrades.
If you’re leaning toward an app-heavy diet plan, consider if you have the technology to support these apps, and if your lifestyle is conducive to always having a smartphone or tablet on hand.
Weight Loss
While the amount of weight you will lose on a diet plan depends on a number of factors, including your starting weight, your gender, your activity level, etc., most experts recommend a steady weight loss of one to two pounds per week, since studies suggest that those who lose weight gradually and steadily are more successful at keeping it off.
When you’re shopping for a healthy diet plan for weight loss, you’ll want to keep this in mind. Companies that force you to follow an 800 calorie diet plan, or promise that you’ll lose weight fast—like 20 pounds in a few days, are not only unhealthy, they’re not sustainable. Opt for a weight loss program that promises steady weight loss, and you’ll set yourself up for long-term success.
Take a look at weight loss success stories and weight loss before and afters to get a sense of the results you can expect from each brand. Some brands even provide that information outright—Nutrisystem is very transparent, claiming that you can expect to lose one to two pounds per week following their diet plan.
