Anxiety can be a side-effect of hypoglycemia -- low blood sugar -- according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestion and Kidney Diseases. Hypoglycemia is caused by not having enough glucose, your body's preferred energy source, which is made from the food you eat. Following the Jenny Craig program could cause hypoglycemia because the Jenny Craig diet allows only 1,200 to 1,300 calories daily -- far fewer calories than the typical diet. Anxiety could also be a reaction to an allergen in the prepackaged foods which contain soy, wheat and dairy.
Blood Sugar Basics
Your blood sugar is the amount of glucose you have in your bloodstream that can be moved into your cells for use as energy. When you don't have enough glucose, you have low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia. Besides anxiety, hypoglycemia can cause hunger, headache, confusion, dizziness, shakiness and mood swings. Treat hypoglycemia by raising your glucose levels by eating carbohydrates. Carbs have the greatest impact on blood sugar and eating simple carbs, such as sugar or starch, can raise glucose levels in as little as 15 minutes. Natural sugars in fruit and dairy products can raise blood sugar and help you stay on the Jenny Craig program. You do not have to eat sweets or foods with added sugars and empty calories to treat hypoglycemia.
Allergens
Jenny Craig prepackaged foods contain allergens -- soy, wheat, gluten and milk. A food allergy provokes an immune system response, while a food intolerance does not. Anxiety can be a symptom of both a food allergy or a food intolerance, says Dr. Lawrence Wilson, a nutrition consultant. Symptoms can be physical or emotional and include aggressive behavior and depression. If you do have a food allergy or intolerance, the Jenny Craig program may not be a suitable weight-loss plan.
Jenny Craig Diet
Jenny Craig provides prepackaged meals and snacks -- three meals and one snack daily -- that you supplement with fresh produce, whole grains and dairy products. The diet is low in calories and fat, but falls within the 2010 Dietary Guideline for Americans for carbohydrate, protein, fiber, sodium and nutrient intake. A 2011 "U.S. News & World Report" survey ranked Jenny Craig No. 2 in both the Best Weight Loss Diets and Best Commercial Diet Plans categories and says that no health risks or side effects have been reported.
Avoiding Anxiety
Your hypoglycemia should eventually lessen on the program. Your body will adjust to eating fewer calories and losing weight will help your body use glucose and insulin more effectively -- making episodes of low blood sugar infrequent. You can also avoid hypoglycemia on Jenny Craig by spacing your calories evenly throughout the day and trying to eat every four hours. If your anxiety is allergen-related, you may have to avoid some of the packaged foods or try a different diet. Talk to your doctor about the best weight loss plan for your individual needs.
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