https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 05 Jul 2026 11:58:34 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-of-meal-delivery-diets#post-110244 Tue, 03 Apr 2012 12:29:18 +0000 Modern Daisy 110244@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would totally recommend Jenny Craig if you're interested in doing a meal delivery plan but think it's too expensive. It's kind of a happy medium. You only pay for the food and it's like $15/day. I didn't have a problem transitioning to normal food after losing the weight either. It was kind of like a jump start to weight loss that laid the foundation for me to make better choices on my own. And it's totally idiot proof if you just eat the food and don't cheat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-of-meal-delivery-diets#post-110221 Tue, 03 Apr 2012 12:05:06 +0000 purrpletulips 110221@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've thought about doing them but haven't, basically because the cost per month is more than my entire family's grocery budget and you still have to buy a lot of stuff (fruits, vegetables, dairy). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-of-meal-delivery-diets#post-110034 Tue, 03 Apr 2012 09:20:27 +0000 looch 110034@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: I have to do the first two weeks of South Beach again too. I love how the plan is written out exactly, I don't have to even think about what I need to eat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-of-meal-delivery-diets#post-110026 Tue, 03 Apr 2012 09:16:35 +0000 daniellemybelle 110026@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just wanted to update that I've decided against a meal delivery diet. It's really expensive and I feel like I can get a lot more fresh food for that money. I am doing like @mrsjazz and doing 2 weeks of South Beach to see some results a little more quickly, and then hopefully phasing back into Weight Watchers. It's day 2 and so far so good! It's nice to not be counting points and just choosing healthier options. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-of-meal-delivery-diets#post-106679 Fri, 30 Mar 2012 12:57:02 +0000 banana 106679@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I also recommend seeing a dietician. I don't tend to lean on the external support for things but I was urged to see a dietician for my gestational diabetes. Wow. What a difference! I learned so much about how food affects the body (from a biological standpoint) which totally goes hand in hand with being healthy. My husband decided to go on the same GD diet as me to be supportive and he's lost almost 10 lbs now (in a few months). He's not overweight but wanted to lost 10-15 lbs so it was perfect for him. It's a definite lifestyle change that I plan on implementing with my children too. That's the best part of it. The lifestyle change doesn't just positively affect you and your health, but it also crosses over into your family which is great. Whereas a meal delivery servicer or weight loss plan is temporary and only affects you during that time since you're the only one eating from that plan. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-of-meal-delivery-diets#post-106669 Fri, 30 Mar 2012 12:47:39 +0000 Rock n Roll 106669@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think they aren't very healthy, but they might make you lose weight. I just hate hearing people say they are losing weight because they want to be healthy (not that you are saying that), but then they do a diet plan like that where the food is all processed and so full of preservatives that it doesn't even need refrigerated, just because I don't think that's really very healthy. It's like we aren't allowed to admit we want to lose weight to look good, so everyone just says they want to be healthy, but then they do unhealthy things to lose the weight. (Don't even get me started about "health stores" selling that HCG diet! Seriously, injecting yourself with hormones and starving yourself is "healthy" now?)</p> <p>But, anyway, sorry for using your thread to vent about my frustration with the diet industry. :) I do think they work, since they focus mainly on calorie restriction, so they're worth a shot. I had my best diet only success on the Abs Diet (which I always bring up whenever someone asks about losing weight- I swear they're not paying me!) But with my first pregnancy I was overweight when I started, gained 35 pounds but lost it almost immediately without trying, but then lost 30 more pounds doing the Abs Diet. I really love it, it's pretty easy to stick to, you get a cheat meal once a week where you can eat whatever you want. I'm going to do it again after this baby is born. It also doesn't have any calorie counting, which made me feel more comfortable doing it while breastfeeding. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-of-meal-delivery-diets#post-106656 Fri, 30 Mar 2012 12:36:34 +0000 mrsjazz 106656@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: Can you do one of those systems as a jumpstart and then continue with something like Weight Watchers?</p> <p>I used the first 2 wks of South Beach to jumpstart my weight loss and once I saw those results, I switched to WW.</p> <p>I feel like WW really worked the best for the long run--it took the longest to lose the weight because I would fall off sometimes, but if you keep coming back to it and tracking your food, it works. I lost 25lbs on it and was maintaining it (until I got pregnant!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-of-meal-delivery-diets#post-106647 Fri, 30 Mar 2012 12:28:02 +0000 daniellemybelle 106647@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaMoose: Wow, it is so encouraging to hear that Nutrisystem worked for you! eDiets is more expensive, but I've heard the food is a little better so I'm hoping that will help me stick to it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-of-meal-delivery-diets#post-106362 Fri, 30 Mar 2012 09:40:57 +0000 MamaMoose 106362@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did nutrisystem for about 2 months. I lost 25 pounds and have kept it off for about 6 months now so for me it was super successful. I would have kept it up longer but I'm a really picky eater so there were a limited number of things that I would select of the menu so I got sick of it pretty quickly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-of-meal-delivery-diets#post-106341 Fri, 30 Mar 2012 09:19:31 +0000 heffalump 106341@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: It can never hurt to try- hope it works for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-of-meal-delivery-diets#post-106332 Fri, 30 Mar 2012 09:09:56 +0000 daniellemybelle 106332@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone for your input! I know that I need a lifestyle change to lose the weight and keep it off. Exercise is definitely the biggest component I'm missing - I just hate it. But since I don't exercise and have a predisposition to gaining weight, if I eat anything remotely unhealthy, I pay for it in my waist line.</p> <p>I am still thinking about doing it just as a jump start. I have such low self-esteem and no motivation right now, but I think if I started seeing results I'd be more likely to make the necessary long-term changes. But I know that most yo-yo dieters say that... sigh. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-of-meal-delivery-diets#post-104811 Thu, 29 Mar 2012 08:39:17 +0000 yoursilverlining 104811@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’ve never done any sort of meal delivery system, but my first reaction is that it is probably expensive (especially for the size of the meal you are receiving), and probably pretty processed. I know you said researching healthy foods and cooking seems really exhausting, but what about setting up an appointment with a nutritionist? (My husband did this to help him lose weight, and it was covered by insurance). They should be able to give you a lot of tips on what foods you should start eating more of/less of, and maybe recipes and things like that.</p> <p>What about joining a gym and having a couple of sessions with a personal trainer? Having just a couple of sessions with a personal trainer made a huge difference in my workouts, because he showed me exactly what I needed to do to target the specific areas of my body that I wanted to work on. A good personal trainer should also be able to discuss your diet with you and give you pointers.</p> <p>If a gym isn’t an option, what about starting an exercise routine with your husband. Is there a lake, beach, park, etc. nearby that you guys could walk to and walk around in after work? You can then talk about your days and all sorts of stuff while also working out. </p> <p>When you eat a lot of processed foods, or a lot of takeout which is generally high in sugars, fat and sodium, that’s what your body gets used to, and what it wants. Switching to a lighter, healthier diet will probably be hard for a few weeks because your body has to readjust – but once it does, then the lighter fare should taste better and be easier to eat on a fulltime basis.</p> <p>I think what’s generally successful over a lifetime are lifestyle changes, rather than a series of diets, but I know that’s usually easier said than done. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-of-meal-delivery-diets#post-104788 Thu, 29 Mar 2012 08:26:17 +0000 heffalump 104788@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Like many others here I've never done it. My dad has though. He never sticks to them. Personally I don't think I would be able to either. I like to eat too much, and the meals seem pretty tiny. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-of-meal-delivery-diets#post-104672 Thu, 29 Mar 2012 07:07:22 +0000 hilsy85 104672@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think they're fine to get you started but they're obviously not a good long term solution. If you think you could maintain a weight loss without the meals, then go for it. But if not, then I think it would just be more frustrating to lose it and then gain it right back. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-of-meal-delivery-diets#post-104639 Thu, 29 Mar 2012 03:15:54 +0000 DigAPony 104639@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with others--they can be a great jump-start, but delivery diets aren't sustainable in the long term. I also worry about how processed those foods are. But if you want to experiment, go for it! If I could afford something like that, I'd try it. It might be a good push to help you get started. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-of-meal-delivery-diets#post-104624 Thu, 29 Mar 2012 01:14:29 +0000 looch 104624@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think there's anything wrong with them, as long as you eventually transition back to a normal diet. It can be a motivator to get some of the initial weight off. That's my main issue, I can't get started on my own. Then I lose weight and over-celebrate. It's a vicious cycle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-of-meal-delivery-diets#post-104587 Wed, 28 Mar 2012 23:34:37 +0000 joyjoy 104587@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've never done one myself, but I think it could be a great idea to jumpstart a diet and help change eating habits. That way you can see what a healthy meal looks like both in size and components. Maybe once you get a good idea of food it wont be so overwhelming to start making the meals yourself? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-of-meal-delivery-diets#post-104572 Wed, 28 Mar 2012 22:50:07 +0000 mrs. wagon 104572@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've never done any kind of meal delivery because 1) I love to eat out and 2) I'm a pretty picky eater, so I know that if I don't like the taste of something they give me to eat, I'll immediately get discouraged and eat something bad for me. I need to be able to have control and have built-in "cheating" to have success. </p> <p>the only success I have had was with weight watchers. It's the only time I've lost more than 5 lbs. I lost 25 lbs over six months or so. It was hard at first but I loved keeping track of what I ate and having flex points to "cheat" with on the weekends. I really learned how to order food at restaurants and get my bang for my buck in terms of amount of food vs. points. </p> <p>That being said, once I was down 25 lbs I really let myself slide and of course I gained it all back over the period of a couple of years. No matter what you choose as a way to lose weight, it really does have to be a lifestyle change for the rest of your life. I'm planning on going back on WW after I have this baby and hopefully this time I will stick to it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-of-meal-delivery-diets#post-104538 Wed, 28 Mar 2012 21:55:54 +0000 cupcakemama 104538@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have never done meal delivery. Long term I think they aren't fabulous. Short term I think they would be great for getting portion sizes back under control, readjusting to what size meals you should be eating. I agree with pp that it's about portion control, eating the right stuff, getting some exercise. Main thing is though that it has to be something you can do, day-in day-out for the rest of your life. Diets don't work but eating sensibly does. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-of-meal-delivery-diets#post-104527 Wed, 28 Mar 2012 21:40:36 +0000 chopsuey 104527@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've never done any diet systems.. but have you considered talking with a dietician? I know how sucky yo-yo dieting is and you really have to get to the root of the problem to shed the weight for good. Like @Andrea said, it's really about your lifestyle.<br /> Portion control, lean meats, veggies, exercise. </p> <p>If you think the meal delivery will help jumpstart your weight loss, I would go for it! </p> <p>I felt crappy when I was carrying extra pounds on my body (I still have 10 to lose) so I feel your pain! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-of-meal-delivery-diets#post-104514 Wed, 28 Mar 2012 21:27:53 +0000 Andrea 104514@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have done a few meal delivery diets and they haven't worked very well long term. As you say, you give up once the diet stops. The hard part really isn't losing weight but it is keeping it off. So for me, I feel like the meal delivery systems have given me temporary weight loss but then I gain it back. Sounds cliche, but you ultimately need to change your lifestyle or else the weight will continue to creep back and you'll never get out of the crash diet cycle. </p> <p>On the flip side, maybe you need a jump start and the meal deliveries can do that for you. But just be careful about what happens once the deliveries stop and you need to start cooking on your own ... then you'll have to put the mental energy into it then but you may feel more motivated at that point since you would hopefully have lost a bunch of weight so you want to keep it going. </p> <p>Maybe we should have weight loss support groups on the boards?? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-think-of-meal-delivery-diets#post-104510 Wed, 28 Mar 2012 21:15:55 +0000 daniellemybelle 104510@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm fat. When I got married, I weighed more than 40 lbs. less than what I weigh now. Over the past two years, I have done the South Beach Diet and Weight Watchers off and on, with limited success. My body thankfully lets go off weight fairly easily if I cut calories and eat less refined carbs. But it also holds on to weight even more easily, so the second I lose resolve, I gain back with a vengeance, and then I give up.</p> <p>Being overweight has affected me so much. My self-esteem is in the toilet, I had to spend a bunch of money on all new clothes, I know I am not in good health and I feel crappy a lot of the time. All these things have affected my relationship with DH quite a bit, as well. I am sick and tired of being fat, but the thought of all the work and mental energy that goes into buying healthy food, meal planning, cooking healthy meals, etc. exhausts me.</p> <p>Anyway, I am seriously considering doing a meal delivery plan like ediets. It's kind of like Nutrisystem but epicurious rated it the best meal delivery for both nutrition and taste. According to epicurious the food actually comes from the same factory as the Zone diet but it is a lot less expensive. It's still a bit steep, but these days I eat out a lot, so if I stopped doing that I'd probably break even.</p> <p>What do you think? I know these things are usually viewed as "crash diets" but I really need to just get some traction in a positive direction to feel like I can actually do this at all. </p>