Diet delivery programs offer busy people a way to jump start a diet. The diet delivery programs need to be combined with a regular exercise program of moderate exercise for 30 minutes, four times a week. People on these diets also need to drink eight glasses of water a day and reduce or eliminate empty calorie beverages. These prepared food programs vary greatly in menu offerings, customization options, delivery locations and price. Some meals claim to be gourmet and combine the benefits of a dietitian with a personal chef, while other services focus on low-fat meals, high-protein foods or other diet approaches.
Step 1
Fill out a general questionnaire about how much weight you would like to lose. The questions will also identify your nutritional goals and taste preferences. There are some vegetarian plans available. A plan may be suggested to you that matches your needs. Some delivery services skip this step and start with Step 2.
Step 2
Choose a meal plan. The plans are broken down by the number of meals and snacks per day. Decide if you need a seven-day plan with or without snacks, or a five-day plan, Monday through Friday plan. Some plans include snacks while others do not. Consider other free or fee-based services offered by the plan including access to a dietitian, fitness program suggestions and phone or online support.
Step 3
Place your order by creating a profile. You will need to add an email address and password if placing the order online. When you fill out the order online or call a diet delivery service you will need to provide your full name, address, a daytime phone number and a billing address if it differs from the delivery address. A credit number will be required.
Step 4
Expect to receive a weekly shipment of vacuum-packed pre-packaged meals with 1,100 to 1,400 total calories for a day. Some plans will vary the daily caloric intake but stick with an average of 1,200 calories per day. The meals need to be heated in a pot of boiling or hot water, or warmed in the microwave.
Step 5
Continue on the diet delivery program as long as you feel it is working. Some programs will give you specifics about losing two or three pounds per week but do not give you an end date to your program. In order to cancel the plan or keep it from automatically renewing, you will need to cancel it online or by calling.
Warnings
- Services offering fresh foods are highly localized and not available in all locations.
- Substitutions may be made when a food you selected is unavailable.
- Restrictive diets and allergies may not be fully accommodated by some diet delivery services.
- A 1,200 calorie day could be prepared at home using all fresh foods, for less than $20 per day.
