eFitnessConnection

 

The Jenny Craig Diet

This plan has been around for years, and seems to be at the forefront of successful weight loss stories.

 

What is the Jenny Craig Diet

The plan is well balanced, offers one-on-one counseling, portion-controlled Jenny's Cuisine food items, and other options that make it a worthy system for weight management. The program focuses on the following areas:

• Food. Clients are educated about nutrition, taught how to plan thier meals, and given strategies for eating in restaurants and occasionally "indulge" on junk food.
• Body. The importance of physical activity is emphasized. To ensure success, current activity levels and time constraints are taken into consideration.
• Mind. The program encourages surrounding oneself with supportive people and stresses the importance of positive affirmation as key elements in maintaining long-term motivation.

 

 

 

How does it work

A person wishing to begin Jenny Craig can visit a Jenny Craig center or call Jenny Craig Direct. Checking the company's web site is a good place to start, as one often can find special offers. There are several levels of membership.

• The Jenny TuneUp is a varying advertised special (e.g. 20 Pounds for $20) designed for clients who have up to 15 pounds to lose.
• Jenny OnTrack, at about $200 plus food, offers the basic weight loss component of the program along with weekly consultations.
• Jenny Rewards, at about $325 plus food, adds a weight maintenance component, gives various discounts and rebates (including a sliding scale discount on food purchases), and offers unlimited comeback privileges.

The idea is not to keep individuals in the program forever, but to move them successfully through the program so that they develop long-term strategies for a healthy lifestyle.

 

What you can eat

The essence to the Jenny Craig program is its prepackaged meals.They are mostly frozen breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and even desserts. Nutritionally, they reflect the new 2005 federal guidelines and USDA food pyramid, and contain 50% to 60% carbohydrate, 20% to 25% protein, and 20% to 25% fat.

Clients should supplement these meals with fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and reduced-fat dairy products. In general, non-starchy vegetables are unlimited.

Although it seems that this method is mostly these prepackaged meals, the goal is to eventually wean clients from the prepared meals. As clients become more familiar recognizing correct portion sizes, then the counselors teach them how to cook at home and how to eat out, following this technique.

The focus is on moderation, a balanced diet, and getting enough exercise. But built into the program are occasional splurges that allow dieters to indulge themselves a little.

They educate clients on what foods are high in fat and calories and should be used in moderation vs. foods that can be eaten more freely like nonstarchy vegetables such as salad. They also teach about other foods, that of course you need to take in moderation when trying to lose weight and beyond.

The Jenny Craig method is calorie based. The menus a client develops with his or her counselor are based on an individual's weight, height, and goals.

•  

What health experts say

The diet plan and menus are safe and well balanced. The downside to a pre-packaged meal program is the considerable expense of the foods and what happens when the diet ends. The main key to the success of this diet is the transitional period where the client goes from pre packaged to regular, prepared meals. Jenny Craig has developed a maintenance program to assist its members in making this transition, as well as an incentive program to keep the weight off.

 

 

 

Back to the top