It's common practice: First there is a hit book, show or movie and then follows a shelf full of branded products to follow suit. NBC's hit reality show, The Biggest Loser is no different than many other shows and movies that have realized their allure and created a line of products that are relevant and fitting to its main message. With its new Biggest Loser Meal Plan, the message is a healthy, albeit pricey one.

Now anyone who is looking to shed a few pounds can dine on some of the same fare that was enjoyed by many of the show's contestants. In fact, many of the plan's testimonials come from contestants themselves like Mark Kruger who believes that the Biggest Loser Meal Plan helps him to stay on track with his weight goals while not feeling food deprived. In addition, the nutrition information with each meal allows Mark or you to know exactly how many calories, fat, protein and carbohydrates you are consuming. For someone who is astutely monitoring his or her intake, this is a useful and necessary factor to be aware of before eating a bite.

Right now, there are only four menus to choose from. Each menu consists of breakfast, lunch, dinner and two snacks for one week. But if you're a vegetarian, you're out of luck at the moment. Perhaps in the future, the Biggest Loser Meal Plan will include menu selections for those who don't eat meat. Also, if you have food allergies to peanuts or wheat, you too may have to wait for future selections that include meals specified for those with dietary restrictions.

Menu selections can include coffeecake or a muffin for breakfast, chicken satay with vegetables or chili for lunch and dinner can be stuffed turkey breast or whole-wheat pasta sauce with marinara sauce. The menu is diverse. In one week, you won't eat the same thing twice.

Each meal includes a balance of carbohydrate, protein and fat. You can select a plan that fits your lifestyle or wallet. For instance, you can choose to have 5 days of 5 meals with no snacks, or seven days of seven meals with seven snacks. There are four separate style options for you to choose from.

Once you order them, you can expect to receive your allotment in 2-5 days. All meal plans are shipped frozen in a special packaging that ensures your food will arrive in good condition. The price can vary depending upon what style of plan you select. At the cheapest, it will set you back $19.95 a day and at the most expensive plan, you'll be spending $22.90 per day on food.

Figure out what your typical grocery store and eating-out bills calculate out to be. Then you can decide whether it is equal, more or less than what you normally spend on food.