In this blogpost, we will be discussing the main features which are present in Nutrisystem and Smart Ones. While Nutrisystem is a meal delivery service which mainly focuses on weight-loss, Smart Ones is a brand of frozen dinners which can be purchased at any grocery store or even an on-demand grocery delivery app.
In the end, we will give you our opinions on which of these two may be the better choice based on first-hand experiences.
Nutrisystem vs Smart Ones
In the table below, we will be showing you the main characteristics which are present in Nutrisystem and Smart Ones. We have also mentioned the delivery areas of these brands, along with the price ranges of the food items here. You can easily choose between Nutrisystem and Smart Ones through the table below.
| Feature | Nutrisystem | Smart Ones |
| Delivery areas | 98% of the United States aside from Alaska & Hawaii,Canada | Any on-demand grocery delivery app |
| Price per plate | $9.99 per plate minimum | $2.29 per plate minimum |
| Difficulty levels | Easy | Easy |
| Avg. cooking time | Only heating required | No cooking required |
| Avg. calorie count | 200 calories per serving | 250-300 calories per serving |
| Supporting material | None | Meal description,Nutritional facts |
| Recipes supported | Weight-loss | Weight-loss,Italian,American,Asian |
| No. of choices | >100 | 60 |
| Introductory deal | 50% off on first order | Depends on vendor |
| Avg. shelf life | 6-18 months | 6-18 months in freezer |
Types of Plans: Nutrisystem vs Smart Ones
| Nutrisystem | Smart Ones |
| Basic $9.99 per day + free shipping,Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks | None |
| Uniquely Yours $13.57 per day + free shipping,150+ choices,Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks | |
| Partner Plan $9.99 per day + free shipping,Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks |
In Nutrisystem, the user can find numerous options in the plans offered. The plans in Nutrisystem cover general weight-loss plans which can also double as healthy-eating and balanced meals. At the same time, Nutrisystem also offers a very customized plan to tailor to the specific needs and requirements of the user.
In Smart Ones, there are no such plans offered. These frozen meals can be simply picked up from any grocery store or supermarket and the quantity can depend on the user’s needs for the week. The meals in Smart Ones are approved by Weight Watchers and therefore are definitely healthy and portion-controlled, perfect for those who are trying to lose weight.
Winner: Nutrisystem wins the Types of Plans segment.
Types of Ingredients: Nutrisystem vs Smart Ones
| Ingredient type | Nutrisystem | Smart Ones |
| Produce | Organic produce | No info |
| Meat, eggs, fish | Sustainably sourced poultry, meat and seafood | No info |
| Other ingredients | Seasonings,Sauces,Condiments | None |
In Nutrisystem, the user is guaranteed that only organic and the highest quality of ingredients is used to create the meals here. This can be a great source of joy for those who want to eat only as naturally as possible. The meat and the poultry used to create the meals in Nutrisystem come from antibiotic-free and hormone-free sources.
In Smart Ones, there is no information about where the ingredients are sourced from. This can be a letdown for those who are curious to know about where their food comes from. However, since Smart Ones is a product of Weight Watchers and Kraft-Heinz, it can be safely assumed that only the best of ingredients will be used to create the meals.
Winner: Nutrisystem wins the Types of Ingredients segment.
Add-Ons: Nutrisystem vs Smart Ones
| Nutrisystem | Smart Ones |
| Grocery items,Low-fat dairy,Lean protein | Frozen soups,Frozen smoothies |
Along with the main meals from Nutrisystem, the user can find a number of other items in the add-on menu of this meal delivery service. In this add-on menu, the user can find essential grocery items to fill up any household pantry shelf. There are also low-fat dairy products available here, which are recommended on the Nutrisystem plans.
Smart Ones does not have an exact add-on menu. However, in addition to the main meals, the user is free to add options like frozen soups and frozen smoothies which have been introduced pretty recently. Since Smart Ones are sold through supermarkets and grocery apps, the user is free to add any number of other items as they see fit to do so.
Winner: Nutrisystem wins the Add-ons segment.
Packaging of Meal box: Nutrisystem vs Smart Ones
| Nutrisystem | Smart Ones |
| Eco-friendly boxes | Microwaveable tray,Cardboard box |
| Mostly recyclable | Fully recyclable |
Since Nutrisystem delivers fresh meals to the user, this meal delivery service uses a lot more packaging. The meals of Nutrisystem come in coolers which are made of biodegradable foam. These coolers can be recycled curbside or even reused. The meals are packed into packets which are also easily recyclable.
Smart Ones meals come in microwaveable trays. These can be simply rinsed and then recycled curbside. The meals come in cardboard boxes which can also be simply flattened and placed in a curbside recycling bin. Since the meals from Smart Ones are sold through third-party vendors, there is very little packaging involved.
Winner: Nutrisysem wins the Packaging of Meal box segment.
Customer Support: Nutrisystem vs Smart Ones
| Feature | Nutrisystem | Smart Ones |
| Chat support | + | + (Kraft-Heinz) |
| Email support | + | – |
| Phone support | + | – |
| Availability | All days of the week | All days of the week |
In Nutrisystem, the user can reach out to the customer support in case of any issue with their meals or their orders through a number of ways. The easiest way to get in touch with the customer support of Nutrisystem is through the live chat. Other than live chat, Nutrisystem also offers phone support and email support.
In Smart Ones, the user can only reach out to the customer support of the parent company, Kraft-Heinz. This can only be accomplished through the chat support which is more of a messaging service since there are no real-time responses here. This can be a letdown for those who are looking for more real-time responses.
Winner: Nutrisystem wins the Customer Support segment.
Sample Meals: Nutrisystem vs Smart Ones
| Sample | Nutrisystem | Smart Ones |
| Sample 1 | Name: Dark Chocolaty Sea Salt Nut SquareNo. of calories: 190 calories | Name: Angel Hair MarinaraCalorie count: 200 caloriesAmt. of protein: 7g |
| Sample 2 | Name: Santa Fe Style ChickenNo. of calories: 240 caloriesAmt. of protein: 17g | Name: Beef Pot RoastCalorie count: 180 caloriesAmt. of protein: 18g |
| Sample 3 | Name: White Cheddar Macaroni and CheeseNo. of calories: 220 caloriesAmt. of protein: 10g | Name: Broccoli & Chicken RigatoniCalorie count: 260 caloriesAmt. of protein: 16g |
In Nutrisystem, the user gets to enjoy a lot of choices. Most of the meals in Nutrisystem are comfort foods which are created with a healthy twist. The meals in Nutrisystem are not only portion-controlled to encourage weight loss, but also contain the right amount of nutrients and fiber to bring the right balance of taste and health to the user.
Smart Ones boasts a pretty large menu. The main types of cuisines covered in Smart Ones include Italian, American and Asian. The meals are such that even the pickiest of eaters will be tempted to try a forkful. Most of the proteins used in the meals include chicken and beef, and seafood options are rare to find here.
Winner: Nutrisystem wins the Sample Meals segment.
App rating: Nutrisystem vs Smart Ones
| Platform | Nutrisystem | Smart Ones |
| Google Play Store | 3.5 | Unavailable |
| Apple App Store | 4.6 | Unavailable |
| TWP Rating | 3.5/5 | 3/5 |
Final Verdict: The winner of this clash is Nutrisystem with its well-curated meals and great customer satisfaction.
In Nutrisystem, the user can definitely find a lot of help if they are trying to lose weight, or even manage the weight they have lost. The prime advantage which sets Nutrisystem apart from other weight-loss programs is that the meals here are definitely fresh and do not require any cooking or effort in the kitchen from the user.
In Smart Ones, the user can find a lot of convenience since the meals are all frozen and sold through any grocery store or even on-demand grocery delivery apps. This makes this brand highly accessible for anyone who is trying to lose weight. At the same time, frozen meals may not be liked by everyone, especially those who want to eat as fresh as possible every day.
Nutrisystem as a meal delivery service focused on weight-loss, scores a lot of brownie points since the customer satisfaction is high here, and the meals are definitely tasty and healthy. On the other hand, Smart Ones may be great for those who are casual about their weight loss, but may not do it for everyone else.
Methodology
To bring you the best reviews of each and every meal delivery service, we spoke to testers and real life users, reviewed the information provided by each service on their respective websites, carried out primary research on social media platforms and checked out the user reviews of these platforms on various social media sites. We have also used the reviews presented by current users of these services on their respective Google and Apple apps.
We are currently conducting our own internal review and we will update this page with videos and pictures of our experiences. If they differ extensively from what our external reviewers said then we will update this post so you get both points of views and can decide which service provider is more suited to your needs based on the information above.
The main types of criteria which we have used in order to assess and evaluate these meal delivery services is the simplicity of the recipes, the variety of meals in the service, the inclusiveness of diets and cuisines and even the supporting material.
In addition to these, we have also taken into regard the sustainability and recyclability of the packaging of these services. Lastly, we have also considered the delivery services and customer services of these platforms.
Frequently asked questions: “Nutrisystem vs Smart Ones”
What is the downside to Nutrisystem?
The downside to Nutrisystem is that the meal plans in this meal delivery service can be pretty expensive and thus might not be affordable for everyone. Another downside is that other than the meals in the meal plan, the user needs to eat vegetables and fruits which are not provided on the platform and need to be purchased elsewhere.
How many times a day do you eat on Nutrisystem?
On Nutrisystem, you will eat six times a day. This includes main meals like breakfast, lunch and dinner and even snacks and beverages. All of the meals are provided in Nutrisystem and are fully-cooked and therefore, only need a little heating. Nutrisystem aims at healthy weight loss and not just the restriction of calories and is therefore well-recommended.
Are Smart Ones frozen meals healthy?
Yes, Smart Ones frozen meals are healthy. These meals bring the right combination of fats, proteins and carbohydrates, along with a healthy dose of fiber to help the user lose weight in the right manner. The meals from Smart Ones are also controlled in portion sizes which can be perfect for those who are trying to lose weight.
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