NutriSystems Future Looks Bright

Talking stocks and weight loss don't usually go hand-in-hand. But, if you happened to buy some shares of NutriSystem's stock a mere two months ago, you would have been holding twice the money you started with. That's right, in October the stock was $15, and now it's more than $32 a share.

Things haven't always been rosy for the number one meal delivery company in the world. NutriSystem began as a brick-and-mortar weight loss center in the '70s and ended up filing for bankruptcy in the '90s. The company rose like a phoenix from the ashes, when in 2005 it beat Wall Street expectations by leaps and bounds and went on to become one of the most wildly successful diet companies on the planet, and the fastest growing company in 2007, according to Fortune Magazine.

Growth with New Programs and Retailers

NutriSystem owes much of its recent success to celebrity endorsements, which have helped the company make inroads into the ever-elusive male dieting market. Hall of Fame Quarterback Dan Marino and a cavalcade of other recognizable sports figures and entertainers, like Larry the Cable Guy, have demonstrated success on the program.

In 2008, NutriSystem rolled out its "NutriSystem Advanced" program that includes three patented "secret weapons" to better your chances of success:

•OmegaSol -- Omega-3 fatty acids are all the rage in health news. The heart-healthy ingredient can be found in anything from nuts and eggs to various fish (salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies and sardines.) OmegaSol is a proprietary blend of omega-3 fatty acids and soluble fiber that helps promote heart health and decreases appetite.

•NutriSol -- A soluble fiber promotes gastrointestinal and cardiovascular health, and helps control your hunger. NutriSol is a blend of soluble fibers found in oats, fruit and whole grains.

•Gylcemic Advantage -- This system is often discussed in the company's TV ads. It ensures that your foods contain "good carbs" and are low on the glycemic index, thus promoting weight loss.

So, how does the NutriSystem approach bring success? What it boils down to is committing to pre-packaged meals as your primary source of sustenance. With all of the attention paid to nutritional details, if you are faithful to a low-calorie program such as NutriSystem (1,200 to 1,500 calories per day), it should be nearly impossible for you not to see some level of success. A healthy weight loss is about one to two pounds a week.

The meals are centered around the often-discussed Glycemic Index, which measures the quality of a carbohydrate and its impact on blood sugar levels -- an especially important factor for diabetics.

The latest news that has helped boost the company's stock, and make its shareholders very happy is an expansion in their food's availability. Earlier this month, NutriSystem announced that Walgreens will be the exclusive retailer to carry NutriSystem D, a weight loss program designed especially for diabetics. Walgreens is the largest drugstore chain in the United States. This comes on the heels of an announcement earlier in the year that consumers can purchase the NutriSystem program at all 384 continental U.S. Costco stores.

With 2010 fast approaching, along with all of those New Year's resolutions to lose weight, the future looks bright for NutriSystem.

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