Pre-packaged meal plans....which ones?

Options
SheriG9
SheriG9 Posts: 62
in Health and Weight Loss
Having a hard time making time for me to prepare meals, and I am getting very frustrated. I am thinking of trying a pre-packaged meal plan like Nutrisystem, or Jenny Craig. Anyone have any experience? Opinions?

Sheri
«1

Replies

  • my2boiz
    my2boiz Posts: 89
    Options
    I have used nutrisystem. the food was good. The portions were so small it was sad. You can do much better if you eat the right things, you can get a lot more food. They are all loaded with sodium. I personally would only reccomend it for one month so you learn what your portions should look like. Also, you still have to buy all fresh veggies and fruit.
  • craftylatvian
    craftylatvian Posts: 599 Member
    Options
    Have you tried to cook larger portions of food like chicken and divide it up so you have it for meals during the week? Also, wash and prep your veggies so they are good to go for a meal. It saves a lot of time to do prep for a week on a Sunday afternoon. I am not a big fan of packaged or processed meals.
  • texna
    texna Posts: 7
    Options
    Try just going by the label portions in the back of any food you want to eat. This has helped me alot in keeping track of how much to eat and calorie count. And I eat just about everything. Good Luck!!!
  • LovingLisa2012
    LovingLisa2012 Posts: 802 Member
    Options
    can you take a day , once a week or once a month and do batch cooking and store the extras in the freezer for quick meals later ?
    it would be alot healthier and cheaper ..

    i too have tried nutrisystem, it was over $300 for 1 month (1 person) and i still had to buy fruits/veggies, bread and milk ..
    not counting that i am married . so it wasn't worth it .. imho :)
  • emma52879
    emma52879 Posts: 2
    Options
    I used Nutrisystem and lost 30lbs. Once you got going it wasn't too hard to stick to. The food wasn't too bad, some were better than others but it definetely works if you stick to it.
  • SheriG9
    SheriG9 Posts: 62
    Options
    A bit of background. I am married, mom to nine children ages 18-1, full time student, take care of my FIL. I am spending way too much time grabbing fast food on my way to school, and not enough time at home cooking. I know if I had more time, I could cook more at home, but I don't.

    Sheri
  • nahralynn
    nahralynn Posts: 125 Member
    Options
    I have personally never tried those but my sister has. She said it was super expensive on top of having to buy your own vegetables and stuff and then many of the foods she didn't like at all.

    I have to agree with above posters about taking 1 day a week to do some batch meals. Get the kids that can be involved to help you out. Do one meal during nap time .. ask your husband or someone who usually helps you out to watch the kids for a couple of hours while you cook. Cheaper and you at least know you'll like your cooking!
  • willrunforfood
    willrunforfood Posts: 4
    Options
    I did Seattle Sutton for awhile. It's a national meal delivery service, about $140 per week. No need to buy anything extra. I have no complaints about the food or service.
  • sculley
    sculley Posts: 2,012 Member
    Options
    Honestly I eat lean cuisines and healthy choice steamers but thats just me.
  • carriecarrot
    carriecarrot Posts: 70 Member
    Options
    Lean cuisines, and healthy choice meals. Fruit that you can just pick up and eat on the go like apples, bananas, kiwis, peaches, oranges, etc. Instant oatmeal is super easy to prepare in the microwave and is only 130 calories or so a packet. Frozen veggies. Eggs.

    GEORGE FORMAN GRILL. <--- cooks a chicken breast in 7-8 minutes. It is ridiculously easy to use and convenient. It also yields delicious results.

    The pre-packaged meal plans like Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig was super expensive.
  • HeidiMuszall
    HeidiMuszall Posts: 13 Member
    Options
    I tried Nutrisystem years ago and didn't have good results. I did not like the food at all and it was very expensive. Aren't we all trying to lose weight to be healthy? I can't consider a meal plan that consists of meat that don't need to be refridgerated as a "healthy" choice. I believe that you're much better of with fresh foods (of even some frozen meals) than these overly processed faux foods.

    I am single and living alone, I typically make large batches of chili or other meals that can easily be individually portioned and frozen. Seems like a better way to go to me.
  • josho655321
    josho655321 Posts: 110 Member
    Options
    I normally just buy low cal frozen dinners. They have come a long way since being a kid. Most are pretty cheap too, i normally spend about 15-20 bucks per week on frozen dinners for lunch/ occasional dinner. I mostly just use them for lunch while at work, plus whatever snacks I want for the week
  • SheriG9
    SheriG9 Posts: 62
    Options
    Thanks for the ideas. I'll look into Lean Cuisine.

    Sheri
  • complicatedmoves
    complicatedmoves Posts: 84 Member
    Options
    I pretty much like all of the pre-packaged meals ( as long as it's something I eat (I don't eat beef or pork). The only concern I have is the sodium content for most foods that are pre-packaged. The shelf life is great, if you need to stock up in your office or for a quick meal at home, but make sure most of your calories are coming from whole foods/fresh fruits and veggies.
  • 42kgirl
    42kgirl Posts: 692 Member
    Options
    Do you have Fresh-n-Fit where you live? Their food is really good.
  • DBRobinson13
    DBRobinson13 Posts: 40 Member
    Options
    If you are in a city that has My Fit Foods I would definitely recommend it. Fresh complete meals, no preservatives, pre-portioned. It's a little pricey, but I stop in and grab what's marked down 50% a day before the expiration date.
  • zbmb30
    zbmb30 Posts: 178 Member
    Options
    I have been eating toast with peanut butter for breakfast. I'll buy those little Dippin Stix Apple Slices or Carrots and bring those to work to snack on. I make my lunch the night before if I don't have it finished already. I'll make tuna with celery and a tad bit of Fat Free Mayo. Then I have that, a baked potatoe (microwaved at work), sugar free jell-o for lunch. Dinner I have been eating Lean Cuisines. They are tasty and quick. I do that because by the time I get off of work and workout, I will either go home and binge on bread like crazy as well as sweets, or I just won't want to cook. So right now that is what's working for me. It's a lot cheaper than going through a food delivery service like NutriSystem or Jenny Craig.
  • LoraF83
    LoraF83 Posts: 15,694 Member
    Options
    A bit of background. I am married, mom to nine children ages 18-1, full time student, take care of my FIL. I am spending way too much time grabbing fast food on my way to school, and not enough time at home cooking. I know if I had more time, I could cook more at home, but I don't.

    Sheri

    What are your kids eating then? If you are cooking for them, you can cook for yourself. Why not have the whole family transition to healthier eating so you have more time.
    And, if you have an 18 year old....he/she can help you prep and cook (younger kids too). No reason that Mom should have to do all the work.
  • Onesnap
    Onesnap Posts: 2,819 Member
    Options
    None.

    My friends that tried it said it's not a long term solution, all it did was teach them to eat the pre-packed foods.

    After my friend quit Jenny Craig she found a gym and trainer she loved and changed her life for good. The pre-packed solutions are like a band-aid.

    Plus, it's the start of the summer season and fresh local food. Starting a pre-packed plan would be sad in June!!
  • pwittek10
    pwittek10 Posts: 723 Member
    Options
    I used nutri system years ago, it help
    But I prefer Lean Cuisine, more choices

Categories