Nutrisystem has released its annual "program refresh" and have announced some changes that appear to increase the quality and value of the program. As we have written previously, the "core service they provide is convenience, and the core benefit is that this approach works for many people."
We observe that many people, especially men, do not want to focus on counting calories or points nor do they want to jump right into a high nutrient diet that requires extensive habit changes. At PEERtrainer we strongly advocate a high nutrient diet and we help people make long term changes. But if you have not been able to make these changes on your own, you need to do something, now.
The reality is that Nutrisystem works for many because the company helps people take these important three first steps that you will need to master following any diet program:
- Getting Your Portions Under Control
- Starting To Increase Your Food Quality
- Understand The Critical Value Of A Support System
Nutrisystem has been criticized in the past for having poor tasting foods that are low in nutritional value. Over the last couple years the company has worked to overcome these concerns, as well as build out a support network that helps people make long term behavioral changes. In late 2009 the company introduced Nutrisytem Select, which featured fresh frozen food delivery for the first time.
Fresh Frozen Meals Now Included In All Plans
This year Nutrisystem is rolling out fresh frozen foods in all of its plans, as well as reducing the monthly cost of the "fresh food option" by $100. The new price of the basic Select program for women is $299, and the basic Select program for men is $329. (The price is higher for men because there is more food and calories delivered.)
New Chefs Culinary Council To Improve Food Quality
As part of their long term effort to increase food quality, Nutrisystem has added some well known chefs to their "advisory board." The company states:
"The Nutrisystem Culinary Council includes: Tony Mantuano, recently one of the Top Chef Masters Chef contenders; Mark Estee known for his restaurants in Nevada and California; Michael Solomonov, owner of Philadelphia restaurant Zahav; Carmen Gonzalez of New York, also a contender from Top Chef; and Kent Rathbun, owner of Texas restaurants Abacus and Jasper’s, and a former contender on Iron Chef America.
“With the addition of the Nutrisystem Chefs Culinary Council, we now have some of the hottest and most talented chefs in the industry as advisors. They’ll be guiding us on the latest trends in the food industry and help us bring foods and programs to market that will be truly innovative"
Why Are The Changes To Nutrisystem Important?
At PEERtrainer we have observed that many people are interested in the convenience of home food delivery. The core problem is usually the cost. There are services out there that can cost over a thousand dollars a month. If you have the budget there are many great locally based services.
Nutrisystem appears to tackling this problem by increasing food quality and taste while keeping a lid on costs. We will be interested to hear from people how the rhetoric of the company matches the reality of the customer experience.
If the changes that the company have communicated are for real, this will represent a good step forward for the home food delivery market.
Visit The Nutrisystem Website To Learn More
FORT WASHINGTON, PA. (December 28, 2010) /PRNewswire/ — Nutrisystem, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTRI), the number one home delivery weight loss company, announced today that it is revamping its programs by incorporating its highest scoring, best tasting fresh frozen gourmet foods into all of its weight loss plans at the lowest price in the Company’s history. Part of Nutrisystem’s “Hooray You! New You Revolution” initiative is to empower and celebrate the success of its members, and with these significant changes it will make Nutrisystem® weight loss programs more accessible to a wider audience than ever before. The new Nutrisystem 28-day program will now include one-third frozen foods and two-thirds of pantry foods. Additionally, the program previously cost $399 per month and it will now cost $299, including an additional free week of pantry foods, a gourmet money back guarantee and free shipping. The New Nutrisystem® Select® Plan, available only in the Continental U.S., can be purchased by calling the Nutrisystem hotline 1-800-891-3215 or logging onto www.nutrisystem.com.
“The launch of this program is a groundbreaking accomplishment for our team. Nutrisystem has now found a way to do what no other weight loss company had been able to do – and that is to provide home delivery of fresh-frozen foods at the lowest price in the category,” said Joe Redling, Chairman and CEO of Nutrisystem. “We spent the better part of the last year conducting extensive category research and, of course, listening to our own customers. The message we heard was clear and simple – they want great tasting, high quality foods at a low price with no gimmicks and no complicated plans. Through this system wide revamp I’m truly pleased that we’ll now be providing just that.”
Added Redling, “This winter season, many weight loss companies are launching new programs. We applaud those who are working hard in the fight to combat the national obesity epidemic but warn consumers to be wary of the newest fads and magic pill solutions. At Nutrisystem, our program is backed by the science of the low Glycemic Index and at a low price. We believe the solution to a healthier lifestyle can be just that simple.”
Nutrisystem Chefs Culinary Council
As part of the effort to revamp its food program, Nutrisystem has assembled a Culinary Council of industry leading chefs from around the United States to act as an advisory board to guide Nutrisystem in developing the best tasting and most desirable foods and menus going forward. The Nutrisystem Culinary Council includes: Tony Mantuano, recently one of the Top Chef Masters Chef contenders; Mark Estee known for his restaurants in Nevada and California; Michael Solomonov, owner of Philadelphia restaurant Zahav; Carmen Gonzalez of New York, also a contender from Top Chef; and Kent Rathbun, owner of Texas restaurants Abacus and Jasper’s, and a former contender on Iron Chef America.
“With the addition of the Nutrisystem Chefs Culinary Council, we now have some of the hottest and most talented chefs in the industry as advisors. They’ll be guiding us on the latest trends in the food industry and help us bring foods and programs to market that will be truly innovative,” said Redling.
The New Nutrisystem Select
“Nutrisystem Select” offers gourmet, fresh frozen cuisine to every customer, delivered right to their doorstep. As part of the revamp of its food programs, Nutrisystem is adding new items to its menu including: Garden Vegetable Omelet, Margherita Pizza, Roasted Vegetable Pizza, Asian Style Beef, Roasted Turkey Medallions, and Orange Crème Bar.
The New Nutrisystem Select program includes:
* Free 24 hour, seven days a week phone access to nutrition support and counseling from the Nutrisystem team of registered dieticians as well as weight loss counselors
* Free membership and access to online tools, tips and community support on Nutrisystem.com
* Savings of hundreds of dollars compared to other weight loss programs
* New – Gourmet Guarantee – money back if not completely satisfied
* New – First seven days free
* New – Transition plans to help keep you on track after reaching your goal weight
* Available for Women, Men, Seniors and people with type 2 diabetes who want to lose weight via Nutrisystem D
* Nutrisystem is delivered right to the customer’s door, and free shipping is included with Auto Delivery – there’s never any center visits or calorie or carb counting required
“As the nation continues to spiral into an ever-worsening cycle of obesity, we’re taking action now that will make our weight loss programs more accessible to more Americans than ever before. When crafting this new program, we recognized that the barriers to dieting and the reasons why people fail often comes down to a matter of cost, convenience and eating foods that taste good,” said Dr. Bruce Daggy, Vice President of Research and Development of Nutrisystem. “Feedback from our members has always given the highest food ratings to our frozen foods, but cost has been a barrier. One of the most important aspects of our programs that will continue is our adherence to a balanced diet based on the low Glycemic Index. We recognize that weight loss and health is not just about counting calories. Our focus remains to support a sensible and sustainable approach to eating.”
To order the new Nutrisystem, visit www.Nutrisystem.com
