Meal Plan Diets

When starting a new weight-loss regime most people, myself included, are confused as to how, what, and when to eat. Often with the impatient desire to lose weight people turn to fad diets, leading to immediate satisfaction followed by weight instability. Thus, the more accepted philosophy is to "change ones dietary lifestyle," but what does this exactly entail...

As a kinesiology student, I have dedicated a large portion of my education to diet, from the perspective of: biochemistry, cellular biology, macro/mico nutrition, body composition, and personal training. Allowing me to understand a proper "dietary lifestyle.” BUT... who has time for all that studying just to learn how and what to eat in order to be healthy. And, so my question is what is the most efficient and beneficial way to understand dietary needs?

Currently I’m questioning the “answer to our prayers” methodology of Nutri-system. I commend the philosophy of meal-planning as a way to be aware of nutritional consumption. But, how exactly does this system interpret the nutrient and caloric needs of every individual? I'm not personally familiar with the system, but after viewing the website I only found meal plans based on personal preference and general medical needs. Leaving out key individual components such as: blood type, cholesterol, glucose levels, dealing with and/or preventing osteoporosis, diabetes, and a number of other diseases. With so many individual provisions my skepticism lies in the adequacy in meeting all needs. Although without any actual individual feedback or experience in the intake process, my knowledge is limited and judgment impaired. So, for those of you partaking in this system please let me know the thoroughness of the medical intake process.

Not only am I wary of the intake procedures, I’m also skeptical of the post-system results. During a time of dieting it is often witnessed that once the initial weight problem diminishes weight has a way of integrating back into the equation. It would seem that if food is given to these individuals on a daily basis, and then suddenly food supply ceases, these people would resort to old eating habits. Similar to the concept: “give a man a fish and he can eat for a day, but teach a man to fish and he can eat for a lifetime.” So, how do they allow “a man to eat for a lifetime,” if they are giving all the fish? Is the teaching inferred through demonstration: the presentation of the packaged food demonstrates the proper portion and types of foods to be eaten? Or is there another more “book” process involved?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to disprove this system. In fact I think it is one of the better weight loss programs out there. And, that is why I’m questioning…