When you are looking into diet programs, you may wonder how Nutrisystem, Jenny Craig and Medifast differ. All three programs deliver meals and snacks to your home for calorie-controlled meal plans. Each program is designed to meet specific needs, so consult with your doctor to help choose the best diet program for your situation.
Programs
Nutrisystem, Jenny Craig and Medifast offer different programs for men, women, older adults and individuals with type 2 diabetes. Jenny Craig and Medifast also have programs for teenagers and Medifast has programs for nursing mothers, individuals on anticoagulants, individuals with gluten sensitivity or gout and gastric banding patients. Nutrisystem has weight loss consultants available to answer your questions. On Jenny Craig, you have weekly one-on-one counseling sessions with a Jenny Craig counselor. Medifast has dietitians available to help you, as well.
Diet Foods
Nutrisystem states that its food is low-glycemic to prevent blood sugar swings, and Jenny Craig claims that its meal plans meet criteria for a balanced diet according to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines. Medifast provides about 80 to 85 g carbohydrates each day. Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig include a prepared breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack for each day that you are on the program. Medifast includes five Medifast meals. Except for Flavor Infusers for flavored water, soy crisps and crackers, your Medifast meal can be any combination of Medifast products, such as oatmeal, pudding, scrambled eggs, chili or up to two Medifast shakes each day. Each diet has vegetarian options for its meals. Medifast meals are fortified with vitamins and minerals.
Other Foods
Each day on the Nutrisystem program includes foods that you purchase for yourself to add extra nutrients to your diet. Grocery additions include reduced-fat dairy, fruit, vegetables, whole grains and beans. As with Nutrisystem, a typical day on Jenny Craig includes similar healthy foods that you purchase for yourself. On Medifast, you get a daily Lean and Green meal that you make for yourself with lean protein, vegetables and healthy fats. You can have small amounts of low-calorie condiments.
Weight Loss
Nutrisystem claims it can help you lose at least 1 to 2 lbs. per week, and Jenny Craig states that the average weight loss on its program is similar. Medifast is a very-low-calorie diet for faster weight loss at the rate of 2 to 5 lbs. per week. Nutrisystem Balance is a program for maintaining your goal weight that uses the same pattern of four Nutrisystem meals and snacks each day. Jenny Craig and Medifast both help you gradually transition off of the diet to making your own food.
Member Comments