Losing weight is a challenging process for many people. It involves a lot of different aspects of weight loss, such as healthy eating, counting calories, exercise and even mental health support. What works for one person doesn’t necessarily work for another, which is why there are so many different options out there.
Medical weight loss programs such as Calibrate, Form Health, FOUND and My Diet Doc provide prescription medication along with professional help from dietitians and nutritionists. However, medication combined with weight loss programs aren't for everyone, as you must qualify.
Now with the popularity and frequent use of technology and smart devices, there are a lot of different diet apps available for download. They provide different features and support based on what you’re looking for from a weight loss app.
I want to look closely at two diet apps that are very popular right now. This includes G-Plans as well as Noom. Both apps use varying types of diet and exercise tracking along with various educational materials and sources of support to help you through your weight loss journey. Let’s dive a little deeper into these two plans so you can determine if one of them would be a good opportunity for you to use on your journey to become healthier.
Head-to-Head Table Comparison of Noom vs G-Plans
| VS. | Noom | G-Plans |
|---|---|---|
| Customized meal plans: | ✔ | ✔ |
| Free download of app: | ✔ | ✔ |
| Short Quiz: | Yes, click here for noom quiz | Yes, click here for G-Plans quiz |
| Community: | ✔ | ✔ |
| Cost: | $59 per month | $39.99 per month |
| Biggest Difference: | Psychological and behavioral approach to weight loss | Metabolic, personalized weight loss based on what you should be eating and how you should be exercising |
| Website: | noom.com | g-plans.com |
Overview of G-Plans
G-Plans is an app that can be used for access to a nutrition plan that can adapt and change to your body as your needs change. It’s completely customized and flexible as you see progress and develop challenges along the way. Your goals are taken into account in order to provide you with the results that you’re looking for. This app is like having your own personalized nutritionist right in your pocket that gives you information on meal plans based on your specific metabolic body type. You start out by taking a short quiz to learn more about what foods are beneficial for your body.
App Features
G-Plans was created by nutritionist Dr. Philip Goglia. He is the top nutritionist in all of the world, working with top celebrities and athletes out of his clinic in Santa Monica. All of the data and information that you will find on the G-Plans app comes from his knowledge and expertise. Each week customized meal plans are provided to you, and they’ve been developed by Goglia. A precise number of macronutrients are included in each meal to provide your body with the nourishment that it needs to thrive and maintain a healthy body weight.
There are also doctor formulated supplements that you can acquire through G-Plans. From probiotics to heart support, you can truly achieve a much healthier body and mind with the regular use of G-Plans. Everything has been created with science in mind, and you can trust the integrity of this app.
The G-Plans app provides you with an at-home exercise plan that is fast and easy to complete. They are designed to target your metabolic type so you’re not wasting your time with activities that aren’t going to get you the results that you’re looking for. Your plan can include things like cardio activity, strength training, etc.
Tracking and management tools are available as part of the app. You can save your information on your device of choice, keeping track of what you’re eating, your activity and your progress.
Pros
- Developed by Dr. Goglia, a world-renowned nutritionist that has worked with many celebrities and famous clients.
- Customized meal plans are provided to you based on your body type. This takes the guesswork out of meals each day.
- The G-Plan app helps you keep track of what you’re eating, your exercise and much more. You’ll be able to look back at this data to determine what needs to be changed for better results later on.
- High quality supplements are available through the company, though they aren’t a requirement for use of the program.
- This is a healthy way to lose weight, rather than attempting crash diets that help you lose a lot of weight at first but don’t keep it off.
Cons
- This program requires you to have some willpower, so you stay on track. Because you’re working solely through an app, you’re the only one who can truly hold yourself accountable.
- You’re given a number of cheat days, which isn’t something that everybody does well with. While you can’t stay on a diet all the time, being able to cheat too much can cause you to go off course with the program.
Major Benefit Going with G-Plans Over Noom
G-Plans is a program and app that’s really easy to get used to. It doesn’t take long at all to complete the initial quiz, and you’ll receive your plan from there. You don’t have to spend time meal planning or coming up with exercise routines. All of the research has already been done for you. All you have to do is stay on track.
This program allows you to eat every few hours, so you’re not going to feel hungry like a lot of other diet programs. I feel that G-Plans is a very safe and effective weight loss plan that doesn’t put your body through a dangerous process. Because of this though, the weight comes off a little slower than some other programs. There’s nothing wrong with this, but it’s a good idea to understand this ahead of time so you’re not disappointed with the results you’re seeing.
Overview of Noom
The Noom program uses proven scientific techniques to help you achieve your weight loss goals through their comprehensive app. Psychology, technology, and human coaching are just some of the support and information you’re provided with so you can quickly lose weight and learn how to keep it off. Noom has even started to branch out their program to help people with anxiety and mental health issues, diabetes and heart conditions.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is used to help you understand why you eat the way you do. You can make healthier choices once you understand why you’re gaining weight or having trouble losing it. You are matched with one of Noom’s coaches that will connect with you individually to figure out how you should proceed with your diet plan and exercise routine. The goal is to help people live healthier and more fulfilling lives.
App Features
After completing a free quiz, you’ll receive access to Noom for two full weeks as part of your trial period. The goal is to help you get to know your body type and healthier choices that you can make to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle. You can actually lose parts of the app for free to track your information, but the support part of the personalized program requires you to sign up for a membership.
The habits and behaviors section of the app helps you to understand how the choices you make are affecting your health. You’ll be able to determine if there are things that have caused your weight gain, like a bad breakup or a death in the family. You’ll be asked what programs you’ve tried in the past, what results you’ve seen and what your commitment level is to your weight loss plan.
The more information that you track with Noom, the more information you will receive that helps you understand why you’re in the position that you’re in. It can get tedious, but you should enter your meals, the exercise that you’ve performed and how you feel. The information you receive will change with what you’ve tracked.
There is a section on the Noom app that provides you with reputable and scientific articles regarding weight loss. You can learn a lot by reading more about how your body works, why you eat the way you do and how your body is metabolizing your food.
Recipes and meals through Noom are broken down into red, green and yellow categories. Green foods are healthy and don’t need to be limited. Yellow foods should be eaten in moderation because they’re not the healthiest options, but they’re not horrible for you. Red foods are things you should stay away from or limit as much as possible.
Pros
- You can achieve fast results with the Noom program.
- Accountability is a big part of Noom, so you’ll receive the support that you need to succeed.
- You have to do some tracking on the app, but it’s a very easy-to-use program that makes it easy to track everything.
- You receive one-on-one weight loss coaching to keep you on track.
- This isn’t a program that’s designed with one specific plan in mind. Noom provides you with specific information and support based on your body type and what you need.
- Noom takes into account the mental health aspect of weight loss. If you eat because you’re stressed, then this is the program for you.
Cons
- You’re assigned to a group when you sign up for Noom. You’ll receive messages and notifications from your group, which might not be something you’re interested in.
- Noom functions as a recurring subscription service.
Major Benefit Going with Noom Over G-Plans
G-Plans focuses a lot on specific meals that you should be preparing and eating in order to lose weight. While it can be effective, G-Plans doesn’t take into account the psychological aspect of weight loss. Noom will help you understand why you’re eating a certain way, and you’ll be given guidance that helps you stay on track with weight loss. If you’re someone that stress eats, you have a list of ‘Green’ foods that can be eaten without guilt or substantial weight gain. You’ll be given access to resources that help you understand how to curb your stress eating. Most people have a mental aspect to weight gain and weight loss, and Noom is the better option for this issue.
Comparing Cost
Noom can be used for tracking purposes for free. You also get a two-week trial of the program once you sign up. After that point, one month of Noom costs about $59. There are prices moving forward for their recurring subscription.
G-Plans costs nothing to download, but you have to subscribe to their service at the cost of $39.99 per month if you want access to all of the information and coaching that’s provided.
Comparing Weight Loss Program Philosophy
The philosophy behind both of these weight loss apps is really quite different. G-Plans strives to provide you with very specific information regarding what you should be eating and how you should be exercising. You also get support and access to information along the way.
Noom is designed to take weight loss into account from a psychological perspective. Many people gain weight and have weight issues because of psychological stress that may occur all the time or after a substantial life event. Even childhood trauma can cause obesity later on in life that can be challenging to overcome.
What Are the Main Differences Between G-Plans and Noom?
G-Plans is an app that is going to give you the information that you need to follow in order to lose weight. In this regard, it’s similar to a lot of other plans. The assumption is that you’re not clear on what the healthy way to eat and exercise is. If you trust the science behind G-Plans, you should be able to lose weight. However, there is a long-term aspect of weight loss that I wonder if G-Plans actually helps with. Sure, you can learn healthier choices that will impact your life moving forward, but you’re not really addressing the psychological aspect of your weight.
I like that Noom is designed for people who eat the way that they do because of stress, trauma, boredom, etc. People who behave this way usually don’t understand that’s why they’re doing what they’re doing. You’ll learn more about yourself when you use Noom, and you’ll learn how to make healthy changes thanks to that knowledge. You’ll recognize your triggers and behaviors, allowing you to act accordingly to prevent weight gain.
Which Is Better for Weight Loss: Noom or G-Plans?
As a dietitian, I respect the information that’s provided through G-Plans. It’s a diet app that can absolutely help you lose weight and learn healthier ways of living. If that’s what you feel that you need to lose weight, then G-Plans is an affordable and accessible option.
I support Noom for the psychological take that they have for their clients. It’s definitely the better option if you’re someone that uses food to boost their mood or deal with the stress of what’s going on in your life.
Our Recommendation: G-Plans or Noom?
A lot of people that are reading this article have probably tried one or more forms of dieting in the past. It’s so common to find success with a diet plan only to gain the weight back later on. When I talk to my clients about weight loss apps or diet plans, I recommend finding something that’s going to provide life changing results. Not only do you want your weight to go down, but you want to learn how to maintain a healthier weight for years to come. Figuring out where you’re going wrong with your diet is key to success.
No diet is a walk in the park. There’s a learning curve that you have to go through to learn what the plan really is. From there, you’ll probably have setbacks and challenges that prevent you from getting to where you want to be. You’ll probably have moments where you want to give up. Both of these apps provide you with the support that you need to stay on track. You have access to plenty of information that helps you learn healthier ways of eating. The science is there for both of these programs.
G-Plans is a good weight loss app to use if you’re concerned that you’re going to be starving throughout the process of losing weight. They take the approach of eating smaller meals more frequently, and you’ll be guided to eat healthier options.
Noom is a program I would recommend for the psychological aspect of the program. Since they also deal with health issues, it’s optimal for someone that has diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. People who overeat and stress eat will likely experience success with this program.
Tips for Success from the RD
Weight loss is a journey, but there is plenty of support and information out there that can help you succeed. I recommend looking at these different weight loss apps and plans to determine which option is going to help you achieve your goals. Some other things to take into consideration include:
- The cost of the program. If you’re going to keep up with the service for many months, the expense can really start to become a burden.
- If you have a specific diet that you need to follow because of health issues, the diet plan you choose should take this into account.
- Think about the kind of support that you need. One-on-one coaching is ideal, but some apps also provide you with groups that you can message with.
- Customer reviews and recommendations from people you know can give you some additional insight into what you might prefer from a weight loss app or program.
