The Jenny Craig diet is one of the most popular diet plans out there. The company makes claims that dieters can lose up to 16 lbs. during their first four weeks on the program. They advertise themselves as offering a complete and proven plan for success.

But what exactly does the Jenny Craig diet plan entail? And how effective is it really?

This article will take a look at the Jenny Craig diet so you can determine if it is right for you.

How Does the Jenny Craig Diet Work?

Jenny Craig offers a variety of plans but, for the most part, you will be on a prepackaged meal plan and you will work with a personal trainer to make sure you achieve your goals.

You can sign up for the diet on the web site or by going into a Jenny Craig center. There is a sign up fee as well as a monthly membership fee. You will also have to pay for food.

Sign up fees are typically under $100 and membership fees are around $20 a month. Meals can be as high as $150 monthly depending on the plan you sign up for.

While you are on the diet, you will also be meeting with your consultant locally or virtually once a week. They will make a customized diet and exercise plan that best suits your needs.  They will provide you with guidance along the way and recommend portion sizes for calorie controlled meals.

What Kind of Food Does the Plan Provide?

Jenny Craig provides three frozen entrees and two snacks per day. These can be picked up at their locations or they can be shipped to your home. Their menu has over 100 choices most of which can be frozen or have a long shelf life.

You are expected to supplement the menu with fruits, vegetables and your choice of one snack a day.

Once you have reached your weight loss goal, you will begin transitioning to your own home cooked meals. You can continue working with your consultant as long as you keep paying membership fees.

Is the Jenny Craig Diet Effective?

Jenny Craig meals are typically 200-300 calories and their snacks range from 150-200 calories for a total of 1200 – 2300 calories a day depending on gender, body frame and other factors.

The diet plan does not enforce any workout regimen but recommends at least a half hour of physical activity a day.

Jenny Craig claims that dieters will lose 1-2 lbs. a week while on their program. This is backed by science.

One study included participants that were sedentary, overweight women. The women lost an average of nearly 12 lbs. each after being on the diet for 12 weeks.

Another study showed that Jenny Craig helped people lose 5% more body weight than other programs including Nutrisystem, Weight Watchers and SlimFast.

In the long term, those who go on the Jenny Craig program tend to maintain a body weight that is 7% lower than it was when they started the program and the longer they stay on, the more weight they lose.

Other Benefits

In addition to helping people lose weight, there are other benefits the diet provides including the following:

It’s Easy to Follow: Jenny Craig provides you with meals that are easy to prepare. This makes it simple to stick to your diet and it eliminates the need to shop for and prepare healthy food.

It Provides a Meal Prep Guide for the Future: Being on the Jenny Craig diet helps dieters learn valuable lessons regarding portion control, calorie counting and fat content. It also encourages them to add fruits and vegetables to make meals more balanced. These lessons help dieters prepare for a future of healthier meals.

Provides Social Support: Research has shown that dieters are more likely to lose weight with social support. The coaches Jenny Craig provides their members helps keep them motivated, inspired and accountable making it easier for them to achieve their goals.

May Also Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease and Lower Blood Sugar: Studies have shown that people who lost at least 10% of their body weight on the Jenny Craig diet had lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels, reduced insulin and less inflammation which minimizes their risk for heart disease.

The diet has also been shown to lower blood sugar. This, in combination with its ability to reduce triglyceride levels makes it effective in lowering the risk and helping in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

If you are looking for a diet plan that’s right for you, Jenny Craig is an excellent choice. They offer a diet that is easy to follow, a nutritious menu with a variety of choices and fast, long term weight loss. What do you think of making Jenny Craig your diet of choice?

Jenny Craig Founder and his Wife

Jenny Craig Meal Plan