FEATURED PARTNER OFFER
We receive compensation from our partners for Featured Partner Offer placements. While this may influence where their products or services appear on our site, it in no way affects our ratings, which are based on thorough research, solid methodologies and expert advice. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable review of their products or services.
Weight Loss by Hers
- Hers customers report losing over 9 lbs in their first month
- Save 30% on average with FSA / HSA
- Compounded products starting at $199/mo w/ 12-mo plan
- Ongoing care via app, no extra cost
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On Hers' Website
Best Weight Loss Programs of 2024: Costs, Pros and Cons
Best for Diet Flexibility
WeightWatchers
- Main program cost: $23 per month, plus $23 membership starting fees (price varies depending on monthly plan)
- Plan length: One, six or 12 months
- Primary focus of the program: To help users lose and maintain weight using healthy habits via a Points system, in-person meetings and digital tools
- Free trial: 30 days
- Mobile app: Available for iOS and Android
- Other programs offered: Diabetes program, GLP-1 program
Learn More
On WeightWatcher's Website
Expert’s Take
Our Experience
Pros & Cons
Best Psychology-Based Program
Noom Weight
- Main program cost: A four-month subscription plan (which most users start with, according to the company), is $42.25 a month
- Plan length: 16 weeks, then ongoing at user’s discretion
- Primary focus of the program: To help users achieve and maintain a healthy weight with lifestyle changes via a psychology-backed program and a personalized daily calorie target
- Free trial: No
- Mobile app: Available for iOS and Android
- Other programs offered: Noom Med, Noom Mood, Noom for Work
Learn More
On Noom's Website
Our Experience
Pros & Cons
Best Low-Carb Weight Loss Program
Atkins
- Cost: Pre-made food prices vary, but range from $8.59 for four protein shakes to $22 for an eight-count box of protein chips
- Plan length: Varies based on weight loss goals
- Primary focus of the program: Weight loss achieved through a lower-carb diet
- Free trial: No
- Mobile app: Available for iOS and Android
- Other programs offered: Atkins 40, Atkins 100
Expert’s Take
Our Experience
Pros & Cons
Best Program for Long-Term Sustainability
The Mayo Clinic Diet
- Cost: $19.99 a month for 12 months (price varies depending on monthly plan chosen)
- Plan length: 12 weeks, then ongoing at user’s discretion
- Primary focus of the program: Weight loss achieved via personalized meal plans, trackers and guidance using medical and nutritional expertise from Mayo Clinic
- Free trial: No
- Mobile app: Available for iOS and Android
- Other programs offered: Companion subscription for those using GLP-1s
On Mayo Clinic Diet's Website
Expert’s Take
Editor’s Take
Pros & Cons
Best Physician-Focused Program
Found
- Cost: Not readily available on website
- Plan length: Unclear, but appears to be as long as a user desires
- Primary focus of the program: Weight loss via individualized, medically-guided programs that include personal consultations with medical professionals and the possible addition of medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and more
- Free trial: No
- Mobile app: iOS and Android
- Other programs offered: N/A
Expert’s Take
Editor’s Take
Pros & Cons
Meet Our Panelists
Adrienne Youdim, M.D., F.A.C.P.
Weight Loss / Nutrition
Taylor Wallace, Ph.D., C.F.S., F.A.C.N.
Nutrition
Toby Amidor, M.S., R.D., C.D.N, F.A.N.D.
Food / Nutrition / Food Safety
Methodology: How We Picked the Best Weight Loss Programs of 2024
To find the best weight loss programs of 2024, the Forbes Health editorial team worked with our expert panelists to evaluate a wide range of commercial weight loss programs. The winners included on this list were recommended by at least two Forbes Health Advisory Board members. Star ratings were intentionally omitted due to the fact that weight loss, and the methods that inspire it, vary greatly based on personal health history and preferences.
What Is a Commercial Weight Loss Program?
A commercial weight loss program typically includes resources such as clear guidelines, pre-packaged meals, individual support and a way to track progress around weight loss goals. When choosing a commercial program, it’s a good idea to ask yourself how important pre-packaged meals may be to your success, as many of the programs without a pre-packaged meal plan require planning, prepping and cooking daily.
Another important caveat about commercial weight loss programs is that many of them are not reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which means their claims are unsubstantiated by a reliable third party.
Most people can safely lose about 1 to 2 pounds a week. If the commercial weight loss program you’re eyeing is promising anything more than that, it’s best to proceed with caution, or better yet, talk with your doctor.
FEATURED PARTNER OFFER
We receive compensation from our partners for Featured Partner Offer placements. While this may influence where their products or services appear on our site, it in no way affects our ratings, which are based on thorough research, solid methodologies and expert advice. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable review of their products or services.
Noom Sustainable Weight Loss Program
- Prioritizes a balanced relationship with food
- Uses a quiz to create a custom plan and estimated timeline
- Weight, food and exercise logging tool to manage your health
- $70/mo or $209/year with alternate options available
- Over 45 million downloads and 45k+ 5-star reviews
On Noom's Website
How Effective Are Weight Loss Programs?
While not everyone needs a commercial weight loss program to lose weight, research shows that they can be effective. A smaller, 2022 study of more than 300 adults found that commercial weight loss programs like WW—which was the program used in the study and the program that provided funding—that require a reduced amount of personal dietary self-monitoring (i.e., the programs do a lot of the heavy lifting in terms of food choices and meal planning) can produce “clinically significant weight loss”[1]Tate DF, Lutes LD, Bryant M, et al. Efficacy of a Commercial Weight Management Program Compared With a Do-It-Yourself Approach: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(8). .
At the end of the day, the effectiveness of any weight loss program has a lot to do with the individual—especially when it comes to long-term weight loss, which is often much harder to achieve than those short-term results. Research shows that long-term weight loss often requires the individual to make both dietary and cognitive changes, which typically means a reframing around habits, food choices and expectations.
Pro Tip
Popular weight loss drugs, such as GLP-1 semaglutide injections Wegovy and Ozempic, are often on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drug shortage list. This allows some companies to offer compounded forms of the drug, typically at lower costs. However, some medical professionals don’t think compounded drugs are as safe as FDA-approved pharmaceuticals, as they aren’t evaluated for efficacy or safety. Speak with your health care provider about whether a compound form of a weight loss drug may be safe and/or effective for you.
The Pros and Cons of Weight Loss Programs
While the weight loss programs on our list are not typically considered “fad” diets, there are always pros and cons to starting a structured diet plan. Some of the pros include:
- Even modest weight loss (say 5% of your total body weight), can decrease the risk of developing chronic diseases related to obesity (such as type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and heart disease).
- Low carbohydrate diets (like Atkins) have been shown to lower blood glucose and insulin, as well as help suppress appetite, in the short term.
- Lower fat diets can help lower cholesterol.
- Programs that provide shakes or ready-made meals may help individuals better estimate portion sizes and calories.
- More balanced diet programs (such as those that do not restrict either carbs or fats) may promote positive dietary changes and better physical wellness.
Some of the cons of weight loss programs include:
- Even if some dieters lose weight in the short term, there is evidence that dieting can result in weight gain in the long run.
- Chronic dieting may induce psychological deprivation.
- Dieting can make a person, particularly younger people, more prone to developing an eating disorder.
- Many factors that can induce weight gain (such as hormones, psychological factors, comorbid conditions, medications, etc) are not always addressed via a dieting program.
Because of the myriad pros and cons that surround weight loss programs, it’s always advisable to discuss your options with your doctor or a registered dietitian before starting any diet plan.
What Is the Best Weight Loss Program?
While there are all sorts of weight loss programs available, experts agree that the best program for you is one that not only works for your lifestyle and personal health history, but also one that you feel like you can stick with. Because of this, talking with your doctor or a registered dietitian is a great first step in the process of finding the right weight loss program for you.
Additionally, most successful weight loss programs include at least 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity exercise (such as brisk walking).
According to our panel of experts, no matter what weight loss program you and your doctor decide on, what truly helps with weight management in the long run are small lifestyle changes—such as increasing vegetable and fruit intake, staying physically active and limiting processed foods—that will eventually have a positive, cumulative effect.
How Much Do Weight Loss Programs Cost?
The cost of weight loss programs can vary; some programs that offer an app or supplemental services may charge per month, while other commercial weight loss programs may only cost the price of either pre-made meals or snacks, or whatever your weekly grocery bill comes to.
How to Save Money on Weight Loss Programs
While many weight loss programs may offer discount codes for first time users, here are a few simple methods for saving money while changing your diet to reflect healthier choices:
- When adding more vegetables and fruits to your diet, consider canned and frozen produce, which is often just as nutritious as fresh.
- Consider buying certain items, such as grains and beans, in bulk, which is usually more cost-effective than buying smaller amounts at different times.
- Farmers markets and produce stands may offer in-season produce at a lower cost than grocery stores.
- Meal planning can help you get organized and buy only what you need while shopping.
How to Use Weight Loss Programs Safely and Sustainably
Starting a new diet or weight loss program can feel exciting, but if you want that weight loss to stick, it’s important to practice safe methods. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are a few tried and true ways to approach weight loss safely and sustainably:
- Commit to your plan: Write down your reasons for wanting to start a weight loss program, and revisit those reasons often.
- Examine your lifestyle: Take time to note what your current lifestyle looks like in terms of your eating habits, exercise habits, work, and family life, and then try to find a weight loss program that can work for all of these circumstances. For instance, if you’re the main cook in your family and your kids have a hard time with vegetables, how will you personally find ways to eat more vegetables during the day? Being honest with yourself about your particular challenges can also help you navigate possible obstacles.
- Set realistic, specific goals: If you are committing to eating less fat, set specific goals such as replacing your morning omelet with oatmeal and blueberries. Instead of eliminating all treats, try limiting them to a certain number of servings each day/week.
- Identify support: Identify family members, friends, co-workers and even online support groups that can help you stick with your goals and aid in motivation.
Finding the Best Weight Loss Program for You in 2024
The best weight loss program for you will boil down to a variety of personal preferences including cost, food options, preparation/meal planning, family obligations and diet choices (keto, low-fat, vegetarian, etc.). If you are considering a weight loss program but aren’t really sure where to start, talking with a registered dietitian can help shed some light on the direction you should take.
Summary: Compare the Best Weight Loss Programs of 2024
Forbes Health Lead Editor Jessica DiGiacinto contributed to this article.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the easiest weight loss program available?
The easiest weight loss program is going to be the program that fits with your lifestyle and schedule so you’re more likely to stick to it. Talking with a registered dietitian can help you determine which program will fit you the best.
Is there a free weight loss program?
Certain weight loss programs, such as Whole 30 (which is on our list), do not cost anything aside from the cost of groceries you buy as part of the program.
Are weight loss programs good or bad for you?
Most commercial weight loss programs—like the ones on our list—when followed correctly, can provide weight management and food education benefits. However, not every program is a match for every person, especially those with underlying conditions or a history of disordered eating.
What does a commercial weight loss program typically not provide?
While some commercial weight loss programs may provide pre-made meals and snacks and come with an app, other programs—such as Whole 30—are more information-based, which means it’s up to the individual to buy their food and learn how to eat according to the diet they are following.
What should I do if I can't lose weight?
If you have made efforts to change your dietary and physical fitness habits and are still having difficulty losing weight, it’s a good idea to speak with a registered dietitian or a doctor to see if there are any underlying causes that may be impeding your weight loss journey.
Sources
Footnotes
- Tate DF, Lutes LD, Bryant M, et al. Efficacy of a Commercial Weight Management Program Compared With a Do-It-Yourself Approach: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(8).
References
- Commercial Weight-loss Options. Obesity Action Coalition. Accessed 11/30/2022.
- Jenkins DJA, Wong JMW, Kendall CWC, et al. Effect of a 6-month vegan low-carbohydrate (‘Eco-Atkins’) diet on cardiovascular risk factors and body weight in hyperlipidaemic adults: a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open 2014;4(2).
- Low Carbohydrate Diet. National Library of Medicine. Accessed 11/30/2022.
- Debating Diets: What is the Whole30 diet?. Baylor College of Medicine. Accessed 11/30/2022.
- Hall KD, Kahan S. Maintenance of Lost Weight and Long-Term Management of Obesity. Med Clin North Am. 2018;102(1):183-197.
- I Want to Lose Weight: Which Diet Is Best?. JAMA Internal Medicine. Accessed 11/30/2022.
- Losing Weight. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed 9/25/2023.
- How To Save Money on Food at Restaurants and the Grocery Store. In Charge Debt Solutions. Accessed 9/25/2023.
- Memon AN, Gowda AS, Rallabhandi B, et al. Have Our Attempts to Curb Obesity Done More Harm Than Good?. Cureus. 2020;12(9):e10275.
- Joshi S, Mohan V. Pros & cons of some popular extreme weight-loss diets. Indian J Med Res. 2018;148(5):642-647.
- Health Effects of Overweight and Obesity. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed 9/25/2023.
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Information provided on Forbes Health is for educational purposes only. Your health and wellness is unique to you, and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment plans. For personal advice, please consult with a medical professional.
Forbes Health adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved or otherwise endorsed by our advertisers.
Macy AlcidoHealth Writer
Macy Alcido is a freelance writer based in New York City. She discovered her love for health reporting while attending the Columbia Journalism School, and has since contributed health-related stories to HuffPost, Psychiatric Times and Verywell. Macy also reported on health topics as a junior news writer at theSkimm, while covering a variety of topics including pop culture, politics and tech.
Brittany Werner, M.S., R.D.N.Nutrition
Brittany Werner is a dedicated registered dietitian nutritionist and the driving force behind empowering individuals to embrace food freedom and transform their lives. As the Director of Coaching at Working Against Gravity, she has spent over 17 years honing her expertise in nutrition and guiding thousands of clients toward their health goals.
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