Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem combine prepared foods with foods that you purchase at supermarkets. They both emphasize healthy eating for a moderate rate of weight loss, 1 to 2 lbs. per week, but each program has some unique features. As you compare the programs, think about whether you will enjoy the foods they offer and how well they can help you achieve and maintain your goal weight. Get your doctor's approval before starting any diet.
Program Basics
Jenny Craig has a one-on-one approach either in person, with the In-Center program, or over the telephone, with the At-Home program. You and your consultant work together to develop your meal plan and cover the Jenny Craig curriculum for healthy eating and activity. Nutrisysytem has programs for men and women, and options include regular diet, diets for older adults, for vegetarians and for diabetics. Nutrisystem programs are online, and it does not offer opportunities to meet your counselor in person.
Meals and Snacks
Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem deliver prepared meals to you. On Jenny Craig, you can have a pre-planned menu or personalize a menu chosen from among more than 80 meals and snacks. You also purchase your own fruit, vegetables, low-fat dairy and whole grains for snacks, and you get the details once you purchase your plan. Your daily Nutrisystem meals include breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack or dessert, and you supplement these with food that you purchase at the grocery store, including vegetables, lean protein, fruit, vegetables, low-fat or fat free dairy, whole grains and beans.
Online Resources
When you purchase Jenny Craig or Nutrisystem, you can create a personal account at the company's website. Both sites offer tools such as menu planning, meal ordering and physical activity planning. You can set your goal weight and track your progress, and you can also participate in online community discussion forums, chat sessions and challenges. Both programs have support available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and you can telephone or chat with a representative if you have questions.
Maintenance
Once you reach your goal weight, the objective is to prevent yourself from regaining the weight. Jenny Craig's approach is to slowly increase the proportion of food that you cook for yourself compared to what you get from Jenny Craig. You start by cooking for yourself one day a week, and the theory is that by the time you reach your goal weight, you will be able to maintain it because you have learned how to choose appropriate foods for yourself. Nutrisystem Balance is a program for maintenance that still has three Nutrisystem meals and a snack or dessert each day. If you ever decide to stop Nutrisystem, you may find yourself without the skills to eat properly to keep the weight off.
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