NJ Diet Review: Does This Weight Loss Program Really Work?

The NJ Diet is a medically supervised weight loss program that claims to use nutrigenomics—the science of how genetics influence nutritional needs—to help people lose significant weight in a short period. The program promises dramatic results: losing 20-45 pounds in just 40 days while burning thousands of extra calories daily through a customized supplement regimen.

But does this expensive diet program deliver on its bold promises? This comprehensive review examines how the NJ Diet works, what it costs, its potential benefits and drawbacks, and whether it’s a safe and effective weight loss solution.

What Is the NJ Diet?

The NJ Diet is a structured weight loss program that combines genetic testing, customized supplementation, and strict dietary restrictions under medical supervision. Founded in New Jersey, the program now operates in multiple states including New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Utah, with virtual consultations available nationwide.

The program is built on the concept of nutrigenomics, which examines how individual genetic makeup affects nutritional requirements. According to the NJ Diet, this personalized approach allows for more effective weight loss by tailoring the diet and supplement plan to each person’s unique genetic profile.

Key Components of the Program

The NJ Diet includes several elements designed to work together:

• Comprehensive testing: Blood, hair, and saliva analysis to assess nutritional status and hormonal balance
• Bio-energetic scanning: A proprietary assessment method to identify optimal food choices based on genetics
• Customized supplements: A personalized regimen based on test results
• Strict dietary protocol: Very low calorie meal plans with specific food timing
• Medical supervision: Regular check-ins with healthcare professionals, typically chiropractors

How Does the NJ Diet Work?

The NJ Diet follows a specific process designed to maximize weight loss over a 40-day period.

Initial Consultation and Testing

Your journey begins with an initial consultation where you undergo multiple tests. These include standard blood work, hair mineral analysis, and saliva testing to evaluate various health markers including hormone levels, nutritional deficiencies, and metabolic function.

The program also uses a “bio-energetic balancing scan” to determine which foods may work best or worst for your body. While details about this scanning technology remain limited on the company’s website, it’s presented as a crucial component for personalizing your diet plan.

The 40-Day Program Structure

Once testing is complete, you receive a customized plan that includes:

Supplement Regimen: Based on your test results, you’ll receive a specific combination of supplements to take throughout the program. The NJ Diet claims these supplements help your body burn excess fat, eliminate toxins, and prevent hunger while on very low calories.

Meal Plan: The diet consists of carefully timed, structured meals featuring whole foods, lean proteins, and non-starchy vegetables. Meals are designed to be low in calories while providing essential nutrients.

Daily Monitoring: Participants are encouraged to weigh themselves daily and maintain regular communication with their supervising healthcare provider to track progress and make adjustments as needed.

What Can You Eat on the NJ Diet?

The NJ Diet follows an extremely restrictive eating pattern that limits both food choices and portion sizes.

Allowed Foods

The diet emphasizes:

• Lean proteins: Chicken breast, white fish, and other low-fat protein sources prepared by grilling or baking without added oils
• Non-starchy vegetables: Leafy greens, broccoli, zucchini, cauliflower, and similar vegetables
• Limited fruits: Small portions of specific fruits as determined by your personalized plan

Calorie Restrictions

While the NJ Diet website doesn’t explicitly state calorie targets, customer reviews suggest the program can restrict intake to as low as 500-800 calories per day. This places it in the category of very low calorie diets (VLCDs), which typically provide fewer than 800 calories daily.

Such extreme calorie restriction is significantly below the minimum recommended intake for adults and can only be safely implemented under careful medical supervision for specific medical reasons.

Cost of the NJ Diet Program

The NJ Diet represents a substantial financial investment compared to most weight loss programs.

Fee Breakdown

• Initial consultation: Normally $99, though promotional pricing of $27 for online consultations is sometimes available
• 40-day program: Between $900 and $2,100, with most participants paying at least $1,500
• Total costs include: All testing, supplements, meal plan guidance, and check-ins with your healthcare supervisor

Price Variations

The significant price range appears related to the number and types of supplements included in individual plans. More complex supplement regimens result in higher program costs.

This pricing places the NJ Diet among the more expensive commercial weight loss programs available, making it cost-prohibitive for many people seeking weight loss solutions.

Does the NJ Diet Work for Weight Loss?

The short answer is that yes, you will likely lose weight on the NJ Diet—but the real questions are whether that weight loss is safe, sustainable, and worth the cost.

Short-Term Weight Loss

Due to the extreme calorie restriction, participants following the NJ Diet will almost certainly experience rapid weight loss during the 40-day program. When you consume only 500-800 calories daily, your body must burn stored energy, resulting in quick drops on the scale.

However, much of this initial weight loss consists of water weight, glycogen stores, and lean tissue—not just body fat. Research shows that very low calorie diets lead to greater loss of lean mass (muscle, bone density, and water) compared to moderate calorie restriction.

Long-Term Sustainability Issues

The critical problem with extreme calorie restriction is sustainability. Studies consistently demonstrate that rapid weight loss through severe calorie restriction is typically followed by weight regain once normal eating resumes.

When you dramatically reduce calories, your body adapts by lowering metabolic rate to conserve energy. This metabolic adaptation, combined with the difficulty of maintaining such restrictive eating patterns long-term, makes regaining weight highly likely after the program ends.

Potential Benefits of the NJ Diet

Despite significant drawbacks, the program does offer some potential advantages:

Medical Supervision

Unlike many fad diets, the NJ Diet provides medical oversight throughout the process. Having a healthcare professional monitor your progress can help identify and address potential health issues that arise during extreme calorie restriction.

Structured Approach

For people who struggle with decision-making around food, the highly structured nature of the program eliminates guesswork. You receive specific instructions about what to eat, when to eat it, and how much to consume.

Rapid Initial Results

The quick weight loss some people experience can provide motivation to continue with healthier habits after the program ends. For individuals needing to lose weight quickly for medical reasons, medically supervised rapid weight loss may be appropriate.

Comprehensive Testing

The extensive testing may reveal previously unknown nutritional deficiencies or hormonal imbalances that could be addressed to improve overall health.

Significant Risks and Drawbacks

The NJ Diet carries numerous concerning risks and limitations that potential participants should carefully consider.

Extreme Calorie Restriction Dangers

Consuming only 500-800 calories daily, even for just 40 days, can cause serious health problems including:

• Nutrient deficiencies: Inadequate vitamin and mineral intake despite supplementation
• Muscle loss: Your body breaks down muscle tissue for energy when calories are severely restricted
• Fatigue and weakness: Insufficient energy for normal daily activities
• Cognitive impairment: Brain fog, difficulty concentrating, and mental fatigue
• Gallstone formation: Rapid weight loss increases gallstone risk
• Hair loss: Nutritional stress can trigger temporary hair shedding
• Hormonal disruption: Severe calorie restriction affects reproductive and metabolic hormones

Questionable Scientific Claims

While nutrigenomics is a legitimate and growing field of research, the NJ Diet’s specific claims lack scientific support:

Burning 2,000-7,000 extra calories daily: No evidence supports the claim that supplements can cause your body to burn this many additional calories. Even intense exercise typically burns only a few hundred extra calories per session.

Genetic-based personalization: Current nutrigenomic science isn’t advanced enough to create highly personalized diet plans that deliver dramatically superior results compared to standard approaches. The field shows promise but isn’t yet at the level suggested by the program’s marketing.

Toxin elimination: The concept of “detoxing” through supplements isn’t supported by medical science. Your liver and kidneys naturally eliminate toxins without special supplements.

Supplement Concerns

The program’s heavy reliance on supplements raises several issues:

• Side effects: Despite claims of minimal side effects, all supplements carry some risk of adverse reactions
• Drug interactions: Supplements can interact with prescription medications in dangerous ways
• Quality variability: Supplement manufacturing isn’t as strictly regulated as pharmaceuticals, leading to potential quality and purity concerns
• Unnecessary expense: Many people may not need the supplements prescribed

If considering this program, you should discuss every recommended supplement with your primary healthcare provider, especially if you take medications or have existing health conditions.

High Cost with Limited Transparency

The program’s pricing structure lacks transparency. You must pay the initial consultation fee before receiving detailed information about the diet requirements, making it difficult to make an informed decision about whether the program suits your needs and budget.

Weight Regain Likelihood

Perhaps the most significant drawback is that rapid weight loss through extreme calorie restriction typically leads to weight regain. Research consistently shows that crash diets don’t produce lasting results for most people.

The program doesn’t appear to include a comprehensive maintenance phase teaching sustainable eating habits for long-term weight management, making it essentially a temporary fix rather than a lasting solution.

Who Should Avoid the NJ Diet?

Certain individuals should not attempt this program due to safety concerns:

• People with eating disorders or disordered eating history
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• Children and adolescents
• Elderly individuals, particularly those with muscle loss
• People with certain medical conditions including diabetes, kidney disease, or heart problems (unless specifically recommended and closely monitored by their physician)
• Anyone taking multiple medications due to interaction risks
• Individuals with a history of gallstones

Better Alternatives to the NJ Diet

Many evidence-based weight loss approaches offer better outcomes without the risks associated with extreme calorie restriction:

Moderate Calorie Deficit

Creating a modest daily calorie deficit of 500-750 calories leads to safe, sustainable weight loss of 1-2 pounds per week without the health risks of crash dieting.

Mediterranean Diet

This eating pattern emphasizes whole foods, healthy fats, and balanced nutrition while supporting both weight loss and overall health improvements.

Mindful Eating Practices

Learning to recognize hunger cues, eat without distraction, and make conscious food choices helps develop sustainable habits rather than relying on extreme restriction.

Regular Physical Activity

Combining moderate calorie reduction with increased physical activity produces better long-term results than diet alone, while preserving muscle mass and supporting metabolic health.

Behavioral Therapy

Working with a registered dietitian or therapist specializing in eating behavior can address psychological factors that contribute to weight gain and help develop lasting healthy habits.

What Experts Say About Very Low Calorie Diets

Medical professionals generally reserve very low calorie diets for specific situations where rapid weight loss is medically necessary, such as before certain surgeries. Even then, they’re used for limited periods under close medical supervision.

The medical consensus is that moderate, gradual weight loss through sustainable lifestyle changes produces better long-term outcomes than crash dieting. This approach preserves muscle mass, maintains metabolic rate, and establishes habits that support lasting weight management.

Questions to Ask Before Starting the NJ Diet

If you’re considering this program despite the concerns outlined above, ask these important questions:

• What specific qualifications do the supervising healthcare providers have?
• What is the exact calorie target for my personalized plan?
• Which specific supplements will I take, and what evidence supports their use?
• What happens after the 40 days end—is there a maintenance program?
• What is the refund policy if I experience health problems or can’t continue?
• Can I see the full program details before paying?
• What percentage of participants maintain their weight loss one year later?

The Bottom Line on the NJ Diet

While the NJ Diet’s promises of rapid weight loss and genetic personalization may sound appealing, the program has significant drawbacks that outweigh potential benefits for most people.

The extreme calorie restriction poses health risks, the scientific claims lack supporting evidence, the cost is prohibitively high for many people, and the approach doesn’t teach sustainable habits for long-term weight management. Most participants will likely regain weight after the program ends.

Instead of investing in an expensive crash diet with questionable long-term effectiveness, consider working with a registered dietitian to develop a personalized, sustainable eating plan that fits your lifestyle and health needs. Moderate calorie reduction combined with behavior changes and increased physical activity typically produces better lasting results without the risks associated with extreme restriction.

If you’re considering the NJ Diet or any weight loss program, consult with your primary healthcare provider first to ensure it’s safe for your individual health situation. Your doctor can help you evaluate whether the potential benefits justify the risks and costs, and may suggest safer, more effective alternatives.

Remember, sustainable weight loss isn’t about quick fixes or extreme measures—it’s about developing healthy habits you can maintain for life. While that approach may not offer the dramatic promises of programs like the NJ Diet, it’s far more likely to lead to lasting success and better overall health.

Sources:

• National Institutes of Health – Very Low Calorie Diets
• Mayo Clinic – Weight Loss Strategies
• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute – Weight Loss and Health Risks
• PubMed Central – Nutrigenomics Research
• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics – Diet Programs