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Online diet programs give you access to support and encouragement from the comfort of your own home. The combination of accountability and convenience gives you the best chance of achieving your weight loss goals. But with so many different options to choose from, finding the right diet program can be a daunting task for anyone. We've divided diet plans into two categories: do-it-yourself (DIY) plans, which give you all the information you need to buy and cook your own food, and meal delivery plans, in which all or most of your food is prepackaged and shipped to your door. Do-it-yourself (DIY) diet plans are cheaper and more flexible, suggesting menus and shopping lists to help you plan healthy meals yourself. Meal delivery plans are more convenient and leave less room for error, but are more expensive. Both types of diet plans offer tools to help you track your progress and all the guidance you need for a successful diet. NextAdvisor.com researched hundreds of online diet programs and has reviewed and compared the top programs. Check out the chart below to compare different programs at a glance, or read our detailed individual reviews. To learn more about online diet programs, visit our FAQ.
Online Diet Programs Reviews and Prices
Updated 02-03-2012
| Service Name / Rating: | Cost: | Diet Types: | Support Types: | Fitness Component: | Taste Component: | Bottom Line: |
 | $15/day (excludes cost of added food) shipping: around $14 | Low-carb-focused meal delivery diet; type 2 diabetic, teen, men, and senior options | Phone counseling; in-person consultations; online forums and resources |  |  | Second place in taste test; one-on-one support designed to establish a healthier overall lifestyle; adding your own fruit, vegetables and dairy is recommended |
 | $22.85/day shipping: $24.95 PROMO: $25 off on first week's order with code LoveYourself | Freshly prepared meal delivery diet; diabetic and low sodium options | Access to licensed dietitians | none |  | A solid, healthy diet plan that rated number one in our taste test; good for diabetics; lacks fitness component. |
 | $19.43/day shipping: $16.95 PROMO: $30 off plan over $100 with code NEWME30; 25% off plan over $75 with code NEWYEAR25 | Freshly prepared meal delivery diet; low-fat, low-fat vegetarian, or low-carb plan options | Online forums; diet analysis; BMI calculator | none | | Fresh, tasty, healthy meals; plenty of plans to choose from; no fitness component and limited support. |
 | $8.21/day (excludes cost of added food) | Low glycemic index (GI) meal delivery diet; men, women, senior, diabetic and vegetarian options | Phone and online counseling; newsletter; classes; online forums | | | Easy to follow meal plan, comprehensive support and convenient meals; adding your own fruit, vegetables and dairy is recommended |
 | $21.14/day shipping: $21.95 PROMO: 3 weeks of meals FREE and free shipping | Freshly prepared meal delivery diet | Online meetings; phone and online support; access to nutrition and fitness experts | |  | Special "3 weeks free" offer; strong all-around offering; the fitness and online components are especially noteworthy. |
| Service Name / Rating: | Cost: | Diet Types: | Support Types: | Fitness Component: | Taste Component: | Bottom Line: |  | $9.98-$10.92 / day (excludes cost of added food) | Low-carb-focused meal delivery diet | Online forums; tracking tools; access to nutrition and fitness experts | |  | Rigorous diet plan designed for rapid, dramatic weight loss; strong support program; adding your own fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy is recommended |
 | $18.95/mo PROMO: Get 25% off | 20+ DIY diet plans, including Atkins, Perricone and diabetes diet | Online meetings; phone and online support; access to nutrition and fitness experts | | 6,000+ recipes | Best overall DIY plan; designed for various lifestyles |
 | $18.95/mo PROMO: Get 25% off | DIY diet with an emphasis on low glycemic index foods | Online meetings; phone and online support; access to nutrition and fitness experts | | 1,000+ recipes | Emphasis on low glycemic index foods to help regulate blood sugar and increase energy |
 | $18.95/mo PROMO: 1 week free w/coupon code SAVE25; free diet profile & fitness plan | DIY diet for diabetics and pre-diabetics that meets American Diabetes Association guidelines | Online meetings; phone and online support; access to nutrition and fitness experts | | 250+ recipes | Best DIY plan for diabetics; flexible meal plans and strong exercise component; 1 week free w/coupon code SAVE25 |
 | $16 / month PROMO: 20% discount; one week free | DIY diet with some prepared meals | Online forums; tracking tools |  | 1,000+ recipes and meals | Complete lifestyle change; good for regulating blood sugar, heart problems or diabetes; need to pay extra for fitness plan |
| Service Name / Rating: | Cost: | Diet Types: | Support Types: | Fitness Component: | Taste Component: | Bottom Line: |  | $16 / month (billed quarterly) | Step by step DIY diet emphasizing good carbs, good fats, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables | Online forums; tracking tools | | 300+ recipes and snacks | Simple and accessible; emphasis on common sense and positivity; good fitness component |
 | $17.95-39.95/mo | DIY diet with some prepared meals | Tracking tools; online forums; restaurant advice | | 1,500+ recipes and meals | Flexible, emphasizes healthy choices |
 | $16 / month (billed quarterly) | Customized DIY diet designed to fit your body type, preferences, and goals | Online forums; tracking tools; expert tips; FAQ; personal coaching for additional fee | | 860 recipes | Personality driven virtual trainer; emphasizes exercise over nutrition |
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Disclosure: NextAdvisor.com is a consumer information site that offers free, independent reviews and ratings of online services. We receive advertising revenue from most of the services we review. Our editors thoroughly research and whenever possible test each service we review and offer their honest opinions about each one. We are independently owned and operated and all opinions expressed on this site are our own.