Nutrisystem is a popular meal delivery service that provides pre-made, portion-controlled meals designed to help people lose weight. With a variety of plans to choose from, Nutrisystem appeals to many dieters looking for a simple and convenient way to manage calories and shed pounds.
For those with food sensitivities like celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, finding a meal delivery service that offers gluten-free options can be tricky. Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley and rye, and it’s in a huge number of processed and packaged foods. People with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity experience digestive problems, inflammation and other adverse health effects if they eat gluten.
Does Nutrisystem offer gluten-free plans?
The short answer is yes – Nutrisystem does offer meal plans that accommodate gluten-free diets. The company has a line of gluten-free meals and snacks that are designed for people who need to avoid gluten due to celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
Nutrisystem has offered gluten-free plans for several years now. In the past, the gluten-free menu was limited, but Nutrisystem has expanded their options over time. Now there are hundreds of gluten-free items to choose from.
When you sign up for Nutrisystem, you’ll complete a questionnaire that asks about your dietary needs and restrictions, including whether you require gluten-free foods. You can then be matched with a plan that aligns with your needs and preferences.
What does the gluten-free Nutrisystem plan provide?
The Nutrisystem gluten-free plan provides breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks that are all free of gluten ingredients. This includes foods like:
- Gluten-free pancakes, waffles and muffins for breakfast
- Gluten-free pizza, burgers, sandwiches and wraps for lunch
- Gluten-free pasta dishes, tacos, chicken and more for dinner
- Gluten-free desserts like cookies, brownies and cakes
- Gluten-free granola bars, trail mix and chips for snacks
The gluten-free Nutrisystem plan allows you to choose from over 150 different menu items that are designed for a gluten-free diet. The meals are free of wheat, barley, rye and oats, and the plan states the foods are made in a gluten-free facility.
How do the gluten-free meals differ from regular Nutrisystem meals?
The main difference between the regular and gluten-free Nutrisystem plans come down to the meal ingredients. Here’s an overview:
- Gluten-free grains like rice, quinoa, corn or chickpeas are used instead of wheat, barley and rye.
- Gluten-free oats or buckwheat are used instead of traditional oats.
- Gluten-free bread, buns, bagels, pasta and wraps replace the gluten-containing varieties.
- Corn or rice flour is used to make gluten-free baked goods.
In terms of nutrition, the gluten-free meals provide a comparable amount of protein, carbs, fat and calories as the regular Nutrisystem meals. Portion sizes are also the same. So the gluten-free plan provides the same calorie-controlled, nutritious options to aid in weight loss or maintenance.
What are some example gluten-free Nutrisystem menu items?
To give you an idea of what kinds of foods you can enjoy on the Nutrisystem gluten-free plan, here are some examples of popular gluten-free menu items:
Breakfast
- Maple multigrain hot cereal
- Chocolate banana muffin
- Spinach, onion and cheese egg white omelet
- Apple cinnamon oatmeal
- Banana chocolate chip pancakes
Lunch
- Margherita pizza
- Turkey clubsandwich
- Cheesy bean and rice burrito
- Tuna salad sandwich
- Chicken pesto sandwich
Dinner
- Italian sausage ziti
- Chili lime chicken bowl
- Beef ragu over polenta
- Shrimp and sausage paella
- Vegetable stir fry
Snacks
- Chocolate coconut granola bar
- Harvest cheddar popcorn
- Roasted vegetable pizza bites
- Cinnamon apple chips
- Chocolate pretzel crisps
Are there extra charges for gluten-free with Nutrisystem?
Choosing the gluten-free Nutrisystem plan does not cost anything extra. The price is the same as the regular Nutrisystem plans. You just select the gluten-free option when first setting up your plan.
However, it’s important to note that choosing the “Uniquely Yours” plan or upgrading to the “Uniquely Yours Ultimate” plan does cost more than the standard Nutrisystem plans. But there are no additional charges simply for getting the gluten-free versions of the meals.
Is gluten-free Nutrisystem food tasty?
Most reviews of the Nutrisystem gluten-free food are positive, with people saying it tastes quite good given the convenience it provides. Here are some pros and cons regarding the taste and enjoyment of the gluten-free Nutrisystem foods:
Pros:
- Wide variety of foods keeps taste buds excited
- Meals are flavorful – seasoning is on point in most
- Many meals have cheesy, savory and saucy elements that deliver on taste
- Desserts and snacks are a hit – most say they satisfy cravings
- Some meals exceed expectations in terms of resembling homemade flavors
Cons:
- Breakfasts heavy on plain oats get boring
- Some report food having an overly processed flavor
- A few meals can be bland or lack seasoning
- Freshness of certain items suffers from having to ship frozen
Reviews indicate you will occasionally get a meal that misses the mark on taste. But the majority seem to be satisfied with the flavor considering it’s diet food that requires no prep work.
How do you order gluten-free Nutrisystem?
Ordering the gluten-free version of Nutrisystem is easy and can be done entirely online. Just follow these steps:
- Go to the Nutrisystem website and select the plan you want – Uniquely Yours, Uniquely Yours Ultimate, etc. Then click “See Plan Details.”
- On the next page that outlines your plan, click “Modify This Plan.”
- Click “Would you like gluten-free items?” and select “Yes.”
- Select the number of weeks you want food delivered.
- Review your customized gluten-free plan details and click “Add to Cart.”
- Check out and place your order for the gluten-free Nutrisystem plan.
When placing subsequent orders, your account will be set to receive the gluten-free menu items automatically. You can change your plan at any time if needed.
Does the gluten-free Nutrisystem plan work for weight loss?
The Nutrisystem gluten-free plan is nutritionally designed to enable healthy weight loss in the same way as the regular plans. Following the supplied meals provides approximately 1,000 – 1,300 calories per day to safely create a calorie deficit for weight loss.
However, some key questions determine whether the gluten-free Nutrisystem plan will effectively help you lose weight:
- Do you follow it correctly? – Sticking to only the gluten-free meals delivered is key. Eating extra foods will reduce the calorie deficit needed for weight loss.
- Are your non-NS snacks and foods gluten-free and low calorie? – Any additional snacks you add to the plan need to be gluten-free and low in calories to not sabotage your progress.
- Do you exercise and increase activity? – Adding daily exercise provides a greater calorie deficit for faster, easier weight loss on Nutrisystem.
There is nothing about the gluten-free meals that should prohibit successful weight loss. As long as you follow the plan correctly, the Nutrisystem gluten-free option can absolutely help you lose weight.
What do experts say about the Nutrisystem gluten-free diet?
Nutrition experts and dietitians who have evaluated the Nutrisystem gluten-free plan generally give positive reviews regarding its effectiveness for weight loss and safety for managing celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
Experts praise the Nutrisystem gluten-free diet for several reasons:
- Meals are nutritionally balanced and promote weight loss
- Menu is varied and tasty, making gluten-free eating easier to stick to
- Foods are clearly labeled gluten-free and made in a gluten-free facility
- Provides convenience for those with busy lifestyles
- Takes the guesswork and meal planning challenges out of gluten-free dieting
Experts say the Nutrisystem gluten-free diet is one of the best and safest meal delivery plans for managing celiac disease or a gluten intolerance. The foods eliminate the risk of gluten exposure while still providing satisfaction and variety.
What do customers say about Nutrisystem’s gluten-free options?
Looking at Nutrisystem gluten-free reviews from real customers offers helpful insights into the pros and cons of the plan. Here is what customers with celiac disease and gluten sensitivities say about the gluten-free Nutrisystem plan:
Positive feedback:
- Food is delicious, satisfying and comparable to regular gluten meals
- Plan is super convenient and makes gluten-free dieting effortless
- Wide variety of gluten-free foods to choose from
- Nutrisystem is great about clearly labeling gluten-free items
- Provides an affordable way to stick to a gluten-free diet
- Gluten-free meals aid in steady weight loss each week
Constructive criticism:
- A few meals come across as bland or lacking in flavor
- Need more dessert options in gluten-free menu
- Wish there were more fresh, low carb veggie sides
- Occasional shipping snafus where wrong item is received
Overall, it’s clear that most customers truly appreciate having a gluten-free Nutrisystem option that delivers tasty, compliant meals right to their doorstep. The plan makes gluten-free eating and losing weight more straightforward.
Should you do the Nutrisystem gluten-free plan?
The Nutrisystem gluten-free plan is a smart choice if you:
- Need to avoid gluten for medical reasons like celiac disease
- Want to eliminate gluten from your diet to address symptoms
- Struggle to stick to a gluten-free diet on your own
- Are looking for a convenient way to lose weight on a gluten-free diet
- Don’t have the time or resources for specialized gluten-free cooking and meal prep
The pre-planned gluten-free Nutrisystem meals offer simplicity, ease and peace of mind. However, the plan may not be necessary if:
- You enjoy research and preparing your own gluten-free meals
- You are on a limited budget – Nutrisystem is more costly than homemade meals
- You prefer warmer, fresher meals over frozen delivered meals
The bottom line is that Nutrisystem provides an incredibly helpful tool for achieving compliance and weight loss goals on a gluten-free diet – if convenience and simplicity are top priorities.
Tips for getting started on gluten-free Nutrisystem
Check out these tips to help you get going and achieve success on the Nutrisystem gluten-free plan:
- Read all food labels for potential gluten and educate yourself on hidden sources of gluten
- Plan ahead by scheduling your Nutrisystem food deliveries and meal prepping
- Stock up on permitted fresh vegetables, fruits and lean proteins to go with meals
- Be careful about condiments, sauces and spices – they can sometimes contain gluten
- Wait until 2-3 weeks into the program before adding in gluten-free wholegrains
- Always have gluten-free snacks on hand for when hunger strikes
- Incorporate daily exercise to increase calorie burn for faster results
- Start a food journal to identify triggers and document your progress
- Drink plenty of water and unsweetened coffee or tea as your beverages
- Ask your doctor to monitor vitamin and mineral levels to ensure proper nutrition
Putting a bit of forethought into starting the Nutrisystem gluten-free plan will help you adhere to the diet and achieve your health and weight loss goals.
Conclusion
In summary, Nutrisystem does offer customized gluten-free meal plans that provide delicious, nutritionally balanced foods all made without gluten. The program gives people with celiac disease and gluten intolerance an effective, convenient way to manage their diet and lose weight.
The Nutrisystem gluten-free menu has a huge selection of breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks to accommodate a gluten-free diet. Gluten-free Nutrisystem plans follow the same principles of portion control for healthy weight loss but use safe, gluten-free meal ingredients.
The majority of customer reviews suggest the Nutrisystem gluten-free food tastes great and satisfies cravings. Combined with the simplified meal planning, shopping and cooking, Nutrisystem provides an invaluable resource for achieving wellness on a gluten-free diet.
