If you're looking to lose more than just a few pounds, you may be considering joining a program that includes pre-packaged meals for weight loss. These weight-loss programs, offered both by medical centers and by private, for-profit diet plan companies, require you to purchase most or all of your food in the form of pre-packaged meals in order to control what you eat. These diets can work, according to Johns Hopkins Weight Management Center. You also can buy pre-packaged diet food at your local supermarket to get some benefits without enrolling in a program.
Basics
Most weight loss programs provide you with firm guidelines about what you can eat, but don't actually provide the food or require you to buy it from them. However, weight loss programs such as Nutrisystem, Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers all offer pre-packaged meals for participants. Some companies require you to buy pre-packaged meals in order to control portion sizes and nutrient levels.
Options
Some university-based weight loss clinics also offer or require pre-packaged meals for participants. According to Johns Hopkins Weight Management Center, pre-packaged meals or meal replacements can make you lose weight faster, in part because they control your portions while still providing satisfying meals. Many Johns Hopkins clients choose pre-packaged meals for the initial part of their weight loss program, and then transition to regular, home-cooked meals after they've lost some weight.
Results
It's difficult to tell whether dieters using pre-packaged meals for weight loss actually lose more weight than other dieters, even though most programs claim success. Realistically, only 5 percent of dieters will keep all the weight off long-term, according to Colorado State University, and there's no magic potion -- or combination of pre-packaged meals -- that will automatically provide quick, easy, long-lasting weight loss.
Considerations
Weight loss programs offering pre-packaged meals tend to cost more than other diet programs, since they're providing so much of your food. You can expect to pay $250 and up monthly for many pre-packaged meal programs. If you're running your own diet and buying meals at the grocery store, you can save money, but you still can expect to pay around $3 per meal, depending on what you get. Still, pre-packaged meals may work for your weight loss program if you have difficulty controlling cravings and preventing yourself from taking seconds while at the table.
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