Splendid Spoon vs. Nutrisystem

Both, Splendid Spoon and Nutrisystem, are ready-to-eat meal delivery services, but this is pretty much the only similarity. When it comes to differences, there are plenty. I will go over them in detail a bit later.

I have tried both of those services and have my firm opinion about what works for me and what doesn’t, but this opinion is from someone who is not an expert on diets or nutrition. I am always looking for ways to better my life, live healthier, and save time while not sacrificing quality of life. Food is an important factor for our family as we are pretty active and healthy. However, we don’t always have time to devote to cooking every night, so I am always on the lookout for something faster, but not less healthy.

These kinds of thoughts and holiday weight gain led me to some research about various options to get food delivered to my house. I am the only one who has to deal with weight management once in a while as my kids and husband are always too skinny already, so I looked for something just for me. I know it wouldn’t be much money and time savings because I would still have to cook for the rest of the family, but at least I was going to lose some weight.

Long story short, I went online and got a whole month supply of Nutrisystem. It was delivered in a couple of days, first an insulated Styrofoam box with frozen entrees and a few days later a box with dry ready-to-eat breakfasts, lunches, and snacks.

Nutrisystem works by restricting your calories intake to no more than 1,200 per day and limiting fat and carbs. A person is bound to lose weight rapidly, especially at the beginning, during the first month. It’s a crucial time for all new dieters, who want to see results and be motivated to stay with the diet. It’s a difficult time because such drastic change can cause lightheadedness, extreme hunger, and weakness. My problem was not that. I am not used to microwavable foods and ready-to-eat bland creations. I couldn’t stay on this plan for longer than 2 days. All the food tasted not real, too salty, too sweet, or too tasteless. I started missing fresh produce, fruit, and real meat right away. To see results, people are required to eat only Nutrisystem for their 3 meals and 2 snacks per day.

While the diet didn’t work for me, it can still be good when I don’t have time to cook or need a few days of restricted calories. I can always grab a Nutrisystem snack on the go or a protein shake. Some snacks actually taste pretty good. I can also see how some single people, who don’t want to cook and spend time on shopping, can enjoy this diet and lose weight. I love the idea of convenience and no need to think and calculate calories while enjoying life.

My next try was Splendid Spoon and it was a different story. Technically it’s not a diet and they don’t claim it to be. People do lose weight as a side effect, but it’s not the main purpose. Splendid Spoon offers breakfast shakes and lunch soups. They are all plant-based, vegetarian, natural, and meant to reset your body. I absolutely loved the soups with their complex flavors and wholesome ingredients. The main thing for me was the quality of ingredients, the amount of vegetables, the fresh taste, and the same easiness and low calories as Nutrisystem. I did not have to cooks and I did not have to count calories or stress about eating too much.

Eating Splendid Spoon meals I never felt like I am on diet, I actually felt full and light, never stuffed. The company doesn’t offer dinners; they leave it up to us, which is fine. After healthy and low calories breakfasts and lunches I could cook something more elaborate and indulgent for the entire family and eat guilt-free every night.

Total calories count for the first two meals of the day would be about 600, which is very low. Again, not a diet, but after a week, 3 pounds did come off. This plan I could follow for weeks at a time and really enjoy all the flavorful food.

This is what kinds of foods you can expect from Nutrisystem:

• Chicken Paella – 220 calories
• Bean Bolognese – 200 calories
• BBQ Seasoned Chicken – 150 calories
• Chicken Noodle Soup – 110 calories
• Loaded Potato Mashed Potatoes – 220 calories
• Zesty Herb Snack Mix – 120 calories
• Blueberry Lemon Baked Bar – 150 calories
• Probiotic Shake Mix – 120 calories and 15g of protein
• Butter Popcorn – 120 calories
• Cinnamon Streusel Muffin for breakfast – 180 calories
• Chicken Mozzarella Melt – 210 calories

And this is Splendid Spoon:

• Pumpkin Spice Smoothie – 320
• Carrot Ginger Smoothie – 170 calories
• Fennel Consomme Soup – 160 calories
• Masala Khichri Soup – 280 calories
• Parsnip Apple Puree – 180 calories
• Cauliflowlower Potato Chowder – 200 calories
• Butternut Turmeric Soup – 240 calories
• Pumpkin Pear Bisque – 180 calories

When it comes to price, Nutrisystem costs about $336 per month, all daily meals included. Splendid Spoon is about $165 per week, and that doesn’t include dinners or snacks. The difference in price is significant, but you pay for what you get!

At the end of both of my trials, my vote goes to Splendid Spoon without a doubt. It is more expensive, but you can get some discounts with coupons and first time customer offers. Nutrisystem also runs specials and provides free shakes and snacks to new customers, but it’s not about the bottom dollar for me when we are talking about health. I will take refrigerated wholesome soups and shakes over dry or frozen entrees any time!