Nutrisystem vs. HMR 2024: Weight Loss Winner?

Nutrisystem and Health Management Resources (HMR) offer personalized diet plans. Sometimes it can be difficult to decide which is the best option for you. This comparison takes you through all the details, so you can make an informed and healthy choice.

HMR puts more emphasis on the support it offers through its community. Like Nutrisystem, it sends you prepared meals, shakes, and snacks to help you cut calories, but you’ll need to consume these alongside extra servings of fruit, vegetables, lean meats, and more, which you’re expected to purchase yourself.

Nutrisystem is more convenient: when you place an order, you get everything you need. That means all meals are covered: breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus snacks. Keep reading to find out why Nutrisystem takes the top spot and is my recommended choice for weight loss. 

At a Glance: Who Won Each Category?

Menu Variety

Winner: Nutrisystem

Nutrisystem offers a wider variety of meal choices and cuisines compared to HMR. Nutrisystem provides a diverse range of meal choices, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. 

Its menu consists of various cuisines and flavors, giving greater flexibility and personalization. The program offers a larger selection of over 130+ meal options to cater to different preferences and dietary needs. Its menu typically includes a mix of cuisines, such as American, Italian, Mexican, Asian, and more.

Nutrisystem also includes extras like sides, snacks, and desserts to complement the main meals. These extras provide additional variety and flexibility in meal planning. There are choices for vegetarians and a diabetic-friendly meal plan. 

Its meals vary from low-calorie fast food (pizza, burgers, pasta) to homestyle meals. There are comfort food options like the Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast and the Merlot Beef with Root Vegetables.

Meanwhile, the breakfasts include options such as muffins, omelets, cereal and nut bars. So there are plenty of options to keep you feeling full and satisfied all through the day. That means less chance of turning to unhealthy treats.

In contrast, HMR's menu options are more limited in terms of variety and cuisines. The program primarily focuses on meal replacements and structured meal plans, which results in a narrower range of choices. HMR's emphasis is on providing convenient, portion-controlled meals rather than an extensive variety of cuisines and extras.

HMR focuses on providing meal replacements in the form of shakes, entrees, and snacks. These are portion-controlled and nutritionally balanced, offering a convenient option for individuals looking to manage their calorie intake.

It offers a selection of entrees that include options like pasta dishes, chili, stews, and soups. These entrees are designed to provide a satisfying meal while still adhering to the program's calorie and portion guidelines.

The entrées are a mix of American, Mexican, and Italian dishes. Think Penne Pasta with Meatballs, Lasagne, and Pasta Fagioli. The Whole Grain Medley is a more comfort food option on the menu.

It is recommended that you add vegetables or use entrees as a base for a recipe rather than consume on its own. It provides guidance on incorporating fruits and vegetables into your diet to ensure a well-rounded and balanced approach. This is a potential downside as it could make it a lot harder to keep track of your calorie intake.

Meal Customization

Winner: Nutrisystem

When it comes to meal customization, Nutrisystem emerges as the winner. It offers a wider array of options to accommodate different dietary needs and preferences. 

It has menus specifically tailored for men and women, acknowledging potential differences in nutritional requirements. Additionally, it provides a specialized plan for individuals with diabetes, ensuring that their dietary needs are addressed.

It has an extensive filtering system so you can exclude specific ingredients. This makes it convenient for individuals with allergies or intolerances. While Nutrisystem does not specifically cater to vegan diets, vegetarians have plenty of choices.

You can also choose your meals A la carte or opt for an Advantage subscription. This plan also offers discounts and coaching, but you have more flexibility placing orders. These options provide the most freedom in meal choices, without the confines of a preset plan.

However, it's worth noting its plans don’t cater to those with allergies to peanuts or soy. Nutrisystem is also not certified gluten-free, which may pose challenges for those with gluten allergies or sensitivities. But there’s plenty of choice for those without specific allergies.

HMR has some customization options, but they are more limited than Nutrisystem’s. While HMR does provide a lactose-intolerant plan, it comes at a higher cost compared to the standard plan.

Vegetarian options on HMR are also very limited, with only 4 entree choices available. This lack of variety may not be suitable for long-term weight loss as you will get very bored of the repetitive meals. I do like the allergen information on HMR’s website.

Similar to Nutrisystem, HMR is also not certified gluten-free, which restricts its suitability for individuals with gluten allergies or sensitivities. But again, if you are not severely allergic, there are enough options for a week’s worth of meals.

Ordering, Delivery, Unboxing

Winner: Nutrisystem

Nutrisystem wins this section overall thanks to its comprehensive plans and monthly delivery. It has a straightforward online ordering process. When you’ve selected the most suitable plan, you can customize your order by selecting meal preferences, dietary restrictions, and additional options. 

Nutrisystem puts more effort into its environmental impact and sustainable packaging. Its coolers are now reusable and recyclable, as well as being 92% biodegradable. 

Its frozen foods may be shipped separately to its shelf-stable meals. They should be placed in the freezer on delivery and storage information is printed on each pack. 

If you want to edit your order with Nutrisystem, it can be done easily in your account. Just make sure you do this by 6pm ET the day before your order is processed. Nutrisystem also sends out a reminder email so you don’t miss your deadline for making changes.

With HMR, you can either choose a plan or buy items in the Express Shop. Meals are delivered every 2 weeks when you select a plan. The fundamental difference between Nutrisystem and HMR deliveries is that Nutrisystem will send your box every month, while HMR delivers every 2 weeks. 

Nutrisystem only ships to the contiguous US, while HMR delivers to Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico as well. You should expect to wait a bit longer for your order if you’re in one of these states, but no longer than 5 business days.

Meal Prep

Winner: It’s a tie

In terms of meal prep, there’s no clear winner here. Many of the meals and snacks from both services are considered “shelf-stable”. This means that they do just fine at room temperature. If they need heating up, it can be done in a few minutes in a microwave or skillet.

However, Nutrisystem also offers frozen meals that need to be stored accordingly. It also means you’ll need a large enough refrigerator or freezer. One order can contain up to 6 meals per day for an entire month, so there are a lot of frozen meals in there.

When it comes to prepping, it couldn’t be easier. Most of the time you just need to either heat the meal or add some water or milk to a shake and mix.

Having said that, the dishes from HMR may require more time. The diet plan recommends eating at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables (that don’t come with your order), so you’ll need to purchase and cook those separately.

Customer Support

Winner: Nutrisystem

Nutrisystem takes the lead here thanks to its extensive customer support options. Having a live chat option is super helpful when you have questions about plans or the menu. My questions were answered in a few minutes, or I was directed to the relevant page. 

You also have the option to call customer services on 1-800-585-5483. Support is available Monday to Friday between 8am and 8pm ET. You can even contact Nutrisystem on weekends between 9am and 5.30pm ET.

There’s a comprehensive FAQ section that should have the information you need. You can also check out Nutrisystem’s blog, which is packed with tips, recipes, and inspiration to support you on your weight loss journey.

Options are more limited with HMR as you can only contact via email or on the phone. Business hours are Monday to Friday between 10am and 4pm ET. You can call on 800-418-1367.

I sent an email using the form on the website and got a reply the same working day. But I’d recommend calling if your query is more urgent.

Pricing

Winner: Nutrisystem

Nutrisystem calculates how much you pay per day, instead of per serving. This makes sense since a typical plan offers up to 6 meals per day, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. 

The most basic plan starts at $9.64 per day, which is great value as every daily meal is covered. You’ll get free delivery on larger, prepaid auto-shipped orders (for 2-3 orders), while all other auto-shipped orders will cost you $7.99 a month.

HMR’s Standard plan is billed at $209.45 every 2 weeks, which works out at $14.96 per day. You’ll need to take into account the extra groceries that you’re required to purchase yourself. It is recommended you add 5 servings of fruit and veg to your meals each day.

Shipping for any order under $250 will set you back $14.95. This shouldn’t be an issue if you subscribe to a plan, but you should be careful if you want to order à la carte. 

Nutrisystem vs. HMR – Quick Overview

And The Winner Is: Nutrisystem

It’s no surprise that Nutrisystem wins this battle. Affordability and variety in meal options give it an edge. It also has specific plans such as gender specific, age-related, and diabetes-friendly, which make it more accessible.

HMR holds advantages in some scenarios. It might be the right choice for those outside the contiguous US or those desiring biweekly shipments. However, bear in mind that its menu requires additional ingredients and may not cater as effectively to special dietary needs.

Your decision might benefit from further research. There's a guide available highlighting the 10 best weight loss services. It provides a comprehensive insight into each service's strengths and offerings.

However, from these 2 services only Nutrisystem made the list. This speaks to its recognized quality and effectiveness in the meal delivery sector.

FAQ

Which is healthier, Nutrisystem or HMR?

Nutrisystem offers more healthy menu choices than HMR. From creamy soups to broccoli-stuffed chicken breast, the recipes are appealing, balanced, and nutritious. HMR, on the other hand, has a rather limited menu, and you need to complete the recipes with fresh fruit and veggies yourself for a truly balanced diet.

Is Nutrisystem better than HMR for losing weight?

Nutrisystem is a better choice for most people who want to lose weight. It offers a diabetes-friendly plan and has more options for dietary requirements like vegetarian options. However, if you prefer to work directly with a weight loss clinic, HMR could be a better match for you.

Is Nutrisystem cheaper than HMR?

Nutrisystem is a more affordable choice than HMR. Starting at just $9.64 per day, an order provides 6 meals a day, including snacks. Meanwhile, HMR plans start at around $15 per day and don’t include sides with the meals.