And as we head into summer after too many months spent inside escaping the cold, many of us are considering giving the Noom app a try in an effort so shed those extra quarantine pounds in 2022. In light of this popularity, we spoke to experts and real Noom users to find out more about this growing weight loss trend. Here’s everything you need to know, including how much Noom costs for a subscription, and how to figure out if it’s the right fit for you.
What Is Noom?
Noom is a weight loss app that offers calorie counting, activity tracking, group support, and most importantly, personal coaching. Instead of focusing on quick weight loss, the app aims to teach users new skills and help them build healthy habits. Though the weight loss plan is the most popular, Noom also offers a diabetes prevention program that is fully recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In October 2019, global pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk partnered with Noom in an effort to reduce obesity and help people keep weight off long term.
How Does Noom Work?
First, you take a quiz to determine your ideal Noom plan. The test seems thorough, asking about your age, weight, height, family illness history, attitude towards health, weight loss struggles in the past, etc. After the 60-second quiz, you’re given a date of when you’ll meet your goal weight and presented with a plan ranging anywhere from one month to a year. I took the quiz five times, giving wildly different answers and came out disappointed. According to the Noom quiz, I’d lose 20 pounds in the same amount of time if I were a healthy, active 20-something or a back pain-ridden, restaurant food-eating 70-year-old. In one test, I was a woman in her 30s trying to lose 40 pounds who is active, cooks, and has no history of illness. In the other test, I was a man in his 30s with back problems who wished to lose 40 pounds but also wanted to focus more on gaining muscle than losing fat. Both fictional dieters were given the exact same plan with the exact same estimated day of hitting their goal weight. Despite the wide array of questions, the amount of weight you want to lose seems to be the deciding factor in your plan. Despite my disappointment with the introductory quiz, many people have a very positive opinion of the Noom system. “As with everything, there are pros and cons,” says Bonnie Balk, Registered Dietitian and Health & Wellness Expert for Maple Holistics. “But in this case the benefits, if users follow the Noom App correctly, can lead to real, sustainable, healthy weight loss.” After you enter your information, Noom gives you a calorie goal, sets you up with a group of supportive Noomers, and connects you with a personal coach. You’re asked to track your weight, activity and all of your meals. Unlike some food-tracking apps, you don’t track your meals just for the calories. Though calories are counted, Noom emphasizes its color system. Every food is given a color, from high nutrient/low calorie Green to low nutrient/high calorie Red. Users are encouraged to eat mostly green and yellow foods, though nothing is off-limits. Noom teaches that even a red food can be enjoyed as long as it’s in moderation and balanced out by your other nutritional choices of the day. The real key to Noom is the coaching. “Consider Noom like a dietitian in your pocket,” says Balk.“This personalized care adds to the app’s accountability factor, as users know there is someone monitoring them.” If you have a question or problem, your coach will be there to help, at least during business hours on weekdays.
How Much Does Noom Cost?
With Noom, you’re given a suggested plan and you pay for those months upfront. As with most subscriptions, signing up for more months up front offers deeper the monthly discount.A monthly plan is priced at $60 or you can get an annual membership for $199. The annual fee is fairly reasonable, especially compared to Weight Watchers. But, if you have 20 pounds to lose, you’ll likely be urged to purchase a 2-month plan (according to the Noom quiz I took repeatedly). If you don’t lose 20 pounds in two months, you’ll be charged another $99 to continue. This can easily get expensive and was a common complaint amongst reviewers. According to their website, here’s Noom’s subscription pricing plan (note that Noom often runs great discounts on these base rates throughout the year, bringing down the monthly cost of a Noom subscription).
Monthly auto-renewing plan $60 USD2 month auto-renewing plan $119 USD3 month auto-renewing plan $149 USD4 month auto-renewing plan $159 USD5 month auto-renewing plan $164 USD6 month auto-renewing plan $169 USD7 month auto-renewing plan $174 USD8 month auto-renewing plan $179 USD9 month auto-renewing plan $185 USD10 month auto-renewing plan $189 USD11 month auto-renewing plan $195 USDAnnual auto-renewing plan $199 USD
How Is Noom Different From Other Weight Loss Apps?
A lot of the features of Noom seem similar to those of Weight Watchers (now WW) or Myfitnesspal (the apps Noom is most often compared to). But based on calorie counting alone, Noom may be the best. A study in 2019 found that Noom has the most accurate caloric food database compared to other mobile apps like MyFitnessPal and its partnerships with the CDC and Novo Nordisk certainly back up their reputation for science-based results. Mostly, the biggest differentiator is the coaching. Having a real person there to cheer you on, answer questions, and provide personalized feedback has given many users the accountability they need to stay with the program.
Does Noom Work?
Overall, Noom seems to work for a lot of people. One study found that 77% of Noom users reported losing weight over two years. That was based on self-reported information, so it may be a bit skewed, but it still shows promising results. Dietitian Balk appreciates Noom’s methods of educating users. “Instead of spoon-feeding users with a list of do’s and don’ts, this program encourages them to understand their healthy choices,” says Balk. “This helps people build sustainable, healthy eating habits.” Many real Noom users are very happy with the app. One such user, Heather Atherton, sang Noom’s praises. “It completely changed how I eat, how frequently I want to exercise,” says Atherton. “And it has helped me have the clarity and focus to follow some new goals and dreams I never would probably have pursued before.” Despite trying many other weight loss apps, Atherton says Noom was the first thing that really worked. In seven months she’s lost 21 pounds and 10 inches. Most importantly, she’s excited to stay with Noom’s healthy lifestyle. But it’s not all good news for Noom. Many online reviews report that the coaching feels canned or forced, and isn’t very helpful. “My weekly coach gives me such automated boilerplate feedback I can’t even tell if they’re real or a robot,” wrote Heidi in a user review on Consumer Affairs. “The counseling doesn’t feel that individualized,” says former Noom user Linda Williams. “It doesn’t justify the high price tag and you could get the same thing from knowledgeable members on MyFitnessPal.”
Is Noom Worth It?
“Noom may be telling you which foods to avoid or have, but it’s not delivering these items to your doorstep,” says Balk. “If users don’t take the time to shop and prepare healthy food options, then the app’s advice is worthless.” Overall, Balk thinks Noom is a well-made app that can help people lose weight in a healthy way, but she warns that Noom (or any other app) will only work if you make a real choice to stay with the program. “Before signing up for a long term commitment, prepare yourself with the proper mindset of learning healthier habits and make a realistic plan of how you will follow the Noom app,” says Balk. “The 14-day trial may be your best bet!” Thankfully, Noom isn’t a fad diet with outrageous claims and unhealthy recommendations. If you’re looking for the added accountability that a coach (and a high price tag) can bring, then Noom might be worth a try. Also curious about the pegan diet or GOLO diet? Here’s what you need to know.
