£30 better spent elsewhere (eDiets)

Name: makmak

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Product:	eDiets
Date:	25/08/02 (1087 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: internet-based, shopping lists, meal plans provided

Disadvantages: inconvenient, overpriced, nothing you couldn't do simply counting calories

I am ashamed to admit that I was lured in by their clever Internet advertising. They told me I could lose that extra 10 pounds in 4 weeks. So I signed up.

Shortly thereafter, I logged into the exclusive "members area" and got my meal plans. Basically, you tell them what kinds of dietary restrictions you have and what your nearest supermarket is. Based upon your current weight and goal weight, they give you a calorie intake and base the day's meals around it. They also customise it for you if you like to cook, like ready meals, or a combination.

I found the meal plans ridiculous. First of all, I couldn't find most of the things at the ASDA, for which the shopping list was targeted. Second of all, they seem to assume that everyone can cook on their lunch breaks. Third, it is entirely inappropriate for people who have to consider the dietary needs of other people, i.e. husbands and children (on the plan I followed, I would have to purchase individual readimeals for everyone in my family, I guess). Fourth, the dietary restrictions that you give them aren't flexible enough: i.e., I don't drink milk, but I like the rest of the dairy world.

Sure, you can manually interchange the snacks and meals with other items, but when I did this I found that I was eating the same thing everyday.

Sure, there are webchats and discussion boards, but the "live help" is only available during work hours, which again, assumes that everyone on the plan can do internet chats at between 9 and 5.

You are committed to the three months, which is 29.99, after which you can cancel. I cancelled. I can count calories just as well and for free on fitday.com, which is FREE and a much better resource, in my opinion.

Summary: