eDiets: Another View

eDiets.com is an online subscription-based weight loss center. A subscription/ membership to eDiets ($4.49 per week) includes daily menu plans, an online virtual personal trainer for exercises, online support groups and message boards, and sort-of personalized support from counselors and nutritionists.

eDiets originated as a low-fat weight loss program based on the the recommendations of the American Dietetic Association and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Guide Pyramid, but it has expanded its offerings in every direction to maximize revenue (and minimize profit) to all kinds of alternative food theories. eDiets has also attempted to branch out into the food delivery business with their fresh meal delivery service called "Deliciously Yours."

Oh how the mighty have fallen. At one time, in the not-too-distant past, eDiets was one of our favorite commercial diet programs but they have completely gone off the rails with over-advertisement on their website, addition of alternative food offerings, increased cost in the face of lower priced competition, and the fundamental mistake of gutting a once proud company of good management, in favor of people who thought of their own well-being over that of their customers. (Heard this story anywhere else during this recession?) At this time, it is unclear if they will survive according to recent SEC filings regarding the company's stock. We feel their pain though and hope they return to the company they once were.