Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig are both weight loss programs promoting a balanced diet and a gradual weight reduction of 1 lb. to 2 lbs. per week. Although these programs have several similarities, they also have differences. Evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of both programs can assist you in choosing the plan that is best for you. Consult your physician prior to embarking on any weight loss diet.
Weight Watchers Strengths
Weight Watchers provides accountability and support through its weekly weigh-ins and meetings. Dieters meet in a group to discuss diet-related issues, provide support and trade tips. Dieters who do not live near a meeting location can go to Weight Watchers online and utilize the website's support forums. According to "Handbook of Obesity Treatment," dieters who have the support of others consistently lose more weight than those without external support.
Dieters count POINTS instead of calories. Weight Watchers assigns each food a POINTS value, which is based upon the food's calorie, fat and fiber content. Foods that are low in fat and calories and high in fiber are shown preference on the diet by being assigned a low POINTS value. Although no food is off limits on the Weight Watchers diet, the POINTS model assists dieters to choose a healthy, balanced diet.
Jenny Craig Strengths
The Jenny Craig diet consists entirely of prepackaged meals and snacks. Dieters who live near a Jenny Craig center meet weekly with a weight loss coach to be weighed, pick up their packaged meals and snacks for the week and receive feedback on their dieting successes and struggles. Dieters who cannot attend a Jenny Craig center can partake in the diet through the program's Jenny at Home program, which entails weekly telephone meetings with a weight loss coach. They receive their food via mail order.
Some people find success on the Jenny Craig program because they no longer have to plan meals and find time to shop and cook. Additionally, some people prefer the one-on-one meetings with a weight loss coach that Jenny Craig provides to group meetings or dieting alone.
Weight Watchers Weaknesses
The Weight Watchers meetings fee, which is $39.95 per month as of 2011 according to WeightWatchers.com, may not fit in the budgets of all dieters and may prevent some dieters from consistently attending Weight Watchers meetings.
POINTS require a POINTS calculator to calculate. Therefore, dieters must bring their POINTS calculator with them anywhere they may eat to ensure that they eat appropriate portions and choose POINTS-friendly options. This may be inconvenient to some dieters and prevent them from consistently counting their POINTS.
Jenny Craig Weaknesses
Because all of the meals on the Jenny Craig are prepackaged, the diet does not force dieters to learn proper portion sizes, how to make balanced meal choices or develop healthy cooking skills. Therefore, some dieters may struggle to maintain their weight loss after completing the Jenny Craig diet, according to "Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies." Some dieters may grow bored of the prepackaged meals provided to them and find it difficult to adhere to the diet. Because the diet cannot be customized, dieters with special dietary needs or preferences may find the Jenny Craig diet unsuitable.
References
- "Weight Watchers She Loses, He Loses: The Truth about Men, Women, and Weight Loss"; Karen Miller-Kovach, et al.; 2007
- "Jenny Craig's What Have You Got to Lose?: A Personalized Weight-Management Program"; Jenny Craig; 1996
- "Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies"; Frances Sizer; 2008
- "Handbook of Obesity Treatment"; Thomas A. Wadden PhD, et al.; 2004
- Weight Watchers: Monthly Pass
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