Can Nutrisystem Save You Money? The Answer May Shock You

How much do you dine out? If you’re like most people, going to your favorite restaurants is likely a weekly occurrence. According to Business Insider, American’s eat out an average of 5.9 times per week.

You know that restaurant meals taste good. But are they good for your wallet? It doesn’t look promising.

The Cost of Dining Out

In 2019, Americans spent an average of $3,526 on food away from home. This dropped significantly in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the average expenditure falling to $2,375. This is likely because of the closure of many restaurants and the decrease in visits during this time. However, as of 2021, many restaurants reopened their doors, allowing diners to start returning to their favorite establishments in greater numbers.

Regardless of the anomaly in 2020, this amount of money is still shocking when you consider just how much food you actually get for the price you pay at restaurants. Most restaurant meals have a markup of around 300% or three times the wholesale cost.

“This means that any time you spend $15 on an entree, the food you’re eating only costs $5 to make,” explains Fox Business. So if the average American family spends around $3,000 a year on restaurant meals, they would be “cheating” themselves out of about $2,000.

Increased Food Costs

As we already mentioned, American’s eat out an average of 5.9 times per week. The average restaurant menu price ranges from $8.82 in Michigan to $13 in Hawaii. That means that if someone eats out or orders takeout from a restaurant five times a week, they could be spending up to $65 on just five meals. That’s about $260 a month, and doesn’t even cover every day or every meal occasion!

And that’s not even considering the recent increases in food costs. Your favorite restaurants are feeling the ripple effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain issues and increased labor costs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the index for food away from home has jumped 6.4% over the last year between January 2021 and January 2022. This is the largest 12-month increase seen since 1982. In fact, according to Business Insider, some of the most popular restaurant chains have admitted to increasing menu prices by up to 10% in 2021 to compensate for these higher costs.

The Convenience Factor

It’s no secret that one of the main reasons people dine out or order restaurant takeout is convenience. With busy schedules and little time to regularly cook full meals, it’s common to take the easy route by having restaurants and fast food joints do the work for you. While this can be a great time saver, it’s clear that it’s definitely not great for your wallet OR your waistline.

Restaurants don’t typically take your health into consideration when preparing their convenient options. They will load them up with fat, sugar and salt to satisfy your taste buds and cravings so you keep coming back for more. This is especially true at fast food joints. While it’s a cheaper option, it may come at a cost: Your health. The ingredients and calories aren’t always listed for consumers to make informed decisions. If you’re not careful on your restaurant dining endeavors, they can quickly lead to unhealthy weight gain.

A Simple Solution

Instead of relying on restaurants to provide you with quick, easy and delicious meals, consider an alternative that can help you save money while also keeping your health front of mind. A meal delivery service like Nutrisystem is designed to help you lose weight with healthier, perfectly portioned versions of all of your favorite foods.

The cost of Nutrisystem auto-delivery programs are just $9.99 a day to $14.64 a day, depending on your gender and the program you select. Our four-week programs provide you with breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks. You also get a simple meal plan to follow and an amazing support system to help you reach your goals. Considering that the average restaurant menu item ranges from $8.82 to $13 for just one meal, this is a definite savings!

You’ll also get to add in some of your favorite healthy grocery add-ins for added flexibility. We have lots of tips and tricks to help you save money at the grocery store and there are many budget-friendly PowerFuels and SmartCarbs that fit into your plan.

Not only can you save big bucks with Nutrisystem, but you’ll also lose weight while enjoying your favorite foods. Eat burgers, chicken sandwiches and pizza while you drop pounds and get healthy! We even launched a NEW line of meals called Restaurant Faves, so you can still eat your favorite restaurant menu items without the guilt. They are inspired by famous meals from popular restaurants and are portioned with half the calories.

Stop wasting your money on high-priced restaurant meals! Instead of ordering delivery from your local eatery, pick up the phone or head to our website to order delivery from Nutrisystem. Eat great, lose weight and save BIG! Get started today >

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7 Simple Ways to Make a Healthy And Balanced Sandwich

Did someone say sandwich? It’s the classic, go-to lunch item that checks off all the boxes; filling, delicious and easy to make. From ham and cheese to a BLT, the possibilities for sandwich recipe creations are truly endless. However, with so many options to choose from, you also run the risk of turning this lunchtime novelty into a not-so-healthy meal that can derail your diet plan. To avoid overdoing it, we’ve created a guide of tips and tricks for making a healthy sandwich so you can still enjoy your favorite lunch with zero guilt during your weight loss journey!

Ready to become a sandwich pro? Check out these seven easy tips for making healthy sandwiches:

1. Make it Open Faced

Lessen the calorie and carb load with this simple trick—make the sandwich open-faced. Simply remove the top piece of the bread or bun for a sandwich on the lighter side. You are cutting the calorie count for the bread in half by enjoying your healthy sandwich in this unique way. And what makes this simple trick even better? You can make an even healthier sandwich by piling on the protein and veggies to stack this open-faced sandwich with nutritious add-ons.

2. Pack on the Veggies

This one is a no-brainer. On your Nutrisystem meal plan, we suggest having a minimum of four servings of non-starchy veggies each day. This means you can fill up your sandwich with an array of fiber-packed veggies to pack in the nutrition, crunch, flavor and color! We love adding on sliced bell peppers, leafy greens, mushrooms and a sandwich classic, tomatoes. The options are truly endless, and the veggies will leave you feeling full for longer thanks to the high fiber content. So, pack on the veggies for a hearty, veggie-filled meal! Check out these 10 fresh veggies that can be added onto your sandwich for a unique, healthy and delicious twist!

3. Be Cautious with Condiments

Condiments are tricky—while you often use what you think is a small amount, the calorie content can be higher than expected. Just be sure to stick to your Nutrisystem program portion guidelines when choosing your condiments. Need a refresh on what condiments get the greenlight on your Nutrisystem plan? Click here to check out our Grocery Guide! >

The Leaf Pro Tip: Be weary of creamy condiments, as these are often high in fat and unnecessary calories. Mayo lover? You can still enjoy this classic condiment on your sandwich—just be sure to stick to a one-teaspoon serving size and count it as an Extra on your meal plan. Mustard, vinegar, salsa and hot sauce are all Free Foods on your meal plan, which makes these mouthwatering picks unlimited and the perfect addition for making a healthier sandwich. For more tips and a quick crash course in healthy diet food condiment selection, check out this Condiment 101 guide from our wellness experts at The Leaf!

4. Watch the Salt

Who doesn’t love a good cold cut on their sammy? We sure do! However, it’s important to pay attention to labels and to be aware of the nutritional value of any of the foods we consume—including those foods we are piling on our healthy sandwich. Our nutrition experts at Nutrisystem recommend sticking to about two ounces of no-salt-added or low-sodium lunch meat. Learn more from our health and wellness experts at the Leaf and read this ultimate guide to the Deli Counter! >

As you know, most Deli meats can pack in the sodium content. In fact, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), two slices of ham can have almost 800 milligrams of sodium. Opt for lean proteins to keep it even healthier and be sure to stick to the allotted serving size to optimize weight loss results on your Nutrisystem diet program.

5. Get Creative

The great thing about sandwiches is the fact that we can make them exactly what we want them to be. There are no rules for sandwich making, so get creative! Don’t like cheese? Don’t add it. Sick of boring bread? Switch up the traditional sandwich host with a low carb diet alternative or whole wheat wrap. Sweet potato toast (thinly sliced and toasted sweet potatoes) is a great swap and nutritious alternative. Want to lessen the carb load even more? You can make your sandwich in a lettuce wrap for a nutritious yet delicious take on a classic wrap.

6. Stick to Heart-Healthy Grains

According to Healthline, incorporating whole grains into your everyday diet can help improve heart health. Whole wheat and rye breads are great sources of fiber and a delicious, hearty way to make a healthier sandwich. Ditch the white bread products and jump on the heart-healthy bandwagon to add some complex, good carbs into your diet—and what better way than a delicious, hearty sandwich?! Learn more about the six super-grains you should be eating. >

7. Make it Breakfast

While sandwiches are seemingly a lunchtime favorite, you can also kick off your day with this classic breakfast idea. Grab a whole wheat English muffin, some turkey bacon and an egg. Eggs are PowerFuels on the Nutrisystem program because they are a source of high-quality protein with only about 80 calories per serving. Pack these onto a breakfast sandwich (or even whip up an egg salad sandwich) for some added protein that will fill you up the healthy way. Start you day with a healthier sandwich that will give you the energy you need to power through your morning.

Hungry yet? Now check out some of our favorite recipes for healthy Nutrisystem-approved sandwiches and wraps:

1. Blackened Fish Sandwich >

Calories: 302

Counts As: 1 SmartCarb, 1 PowerFuel, 1 Extra and 1 Vegetable

2. Pancake Breakfast Sandwich >

Calories: 304

Counts As: 1 SmartCarb, 2 PowerFuels and 2 Extras

3. BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich >

Calories: 195

Counts As: 1 SmartCarb, 1 Vegetable and 2 Extras

4. BBQ Chicken Sandwich >

Calories: 417

Counts As: 2 SmartCarbs, 2 PowerFuels, ½ Vegetable and 3 Extras

5. Chicken Sausage and Pepper Sandwich >

Calories: 310

Counts As: 2 PowerFuels, 1 SmartCarb and 1 Vegetable

6. Turkey, Apple & Swiss Waffle Sandwich >

Calories: 358

Counts As: 1 SmartCarb, 2 PowerFuels ½ Vegetable and 3 Extras

7. Artisanal Grilled Cheese >

Calories: 158

Counts As: 1 SmartCarb, 1 PowerFuel and 1 Extra

8. Roasted Red Pepper & Turkey Pinwheel Wraps >

Calories: 294

Counts As: 1 SmartCarb, 1 PowerFuel and 2 Extras

9. Chicken Ranch Wrap >

Calories: 267

Counts As: 1 SmartCarb, 1 PowerFuel and 2 Extras

10. Skinny Cheese Steak Sandwich >

Calories: 292

Counts As: 2 PowerFuels, 1 SmartCarb and 1 Vegetable

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Exactly How Nutritional Experts Recuperate From a Binge

Parties, holidays, birthdays, bad days—sometimes a binge happens. Even to people who know the dangers so well, like LeeAnn Kindness, Jeff Chiarelli and Deanna Otranto from the Nutrisystem team of nutritionists and weight loss pros. We asked them to tell us about their smartest strategies for getting back on track after a bout of unhealthy binge eating.

Here’s what nutrition experts do after they give in to a binge… and why:

1. Forgive and forget.

“Know that you’re not perfect. Striving for perfection can sabotage your goals,” LeeAnn says. “One meal or one day won’t ruin your chances of achieving your healthy lifestyle. Get right back on track with your next meal and be proud of yourself for that!”

2. Consider why.

Binge eating may be triggered by special occasions, stress or other reasons, but your daily choices can help reduce the chances they will occur. “Did you skip any meals?,” Jeff asks. “Did you drink enough water? Did you eat enough veggies?” When you’re following your Nutrisystem weight loss plan, eating good food frequently, and staying well-hydrated, you feel satisfied, so you’re less likely to overdo it even when the temptation is hard to resist.

3. Get moving.

“Lacing up and going for a stroll will not only clear you mind and get you moving, but it will aid in digestion to get you through the post-binge bloat,” LeeAnn suggests. Even better, physical activity stokes your metabolism, so you start burning off those extra calories right away. “Just remember not to try to compensate for your binge all in one exercise session,” Deanna cautions. “You’re likely to end up so sore you won’t be able to hit the gym again tomorrow or, worse, you’ll hurt yourself” and be unable to exercise for even longer.

4. Drink up.

After binge eating, “be strict with your fluid intake. Hydrating will aid in digestion, naturally rid your body of excess sodium and curb hunger,” LeeAnn explains. “Plus, drinking enough water can be an easy and rewarding goal to focus on instead of post-binge guilt.” Try for the daily goal of 64 ounces of water, unsweetened tea or plain seltzer. You can also add fresh fruit and herbs to your glass to add some extra flavor. Click here for some more simple hacks to make loading up on liquids easier! >

5. Go green, yellow, orange and red.

Fiber helps all the food you’ve eaten move smoothly through your digestive tract and keeps you feeling full long after you’re done. Non-starchy vegetables are loaded with fiber, high in nutrients and unlimited on your Nutrisystem plan. “At your next meal, go a little overboard with the spinach, cucumbers or peppers,” Kindness urges.

6. Keep tracking.

Logging what you eat, drink and do each day increases your chances of losing weight, according to a study by Kaiser Permanente, the healthcare company. The NuMi app, free to Nutrisystem customers, makes it easy to track your daily food intake and activity. “Tracking your meals with NuMi is a great way to hold yourself accountable for all of your meal-time decisions,” Otranto says. Record your binge and then the healthy choices you make after it and you’ll see and be motivated by all that you’re doing to make progress toward your goal.

7. Begin again today.

“When you first started on this journey, you didn’t try to compensate for a lifetime of bad eating—you just started,” Otranto reminds us. “Pretend today is the very first day of your new healthy lifestyle and put the past behind you.”

The post How Nutritionists Bounce Back From a Binge appeared first on The Leaf.

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