In this program, long-term weight loss includes meal planning, exercise, stress reduction and individual support.

Jenny Craig started in 1983 by providing frozen meals to its clients as a means of food management. It has since branched out into cookbooks and programs that encourage clients to make food choices from readily available foods, as well as an at-home program for people who do not live close to an established center. Food is shipped to you by UPS, and consultations are conducted in person, online or by telephone. Personal weekly consultations for motivation and behavior change are a central part of the program.

• Frozen meals are convenient.
  
  
• Balanced and nutritious meals.
  
  
• Enough options for flexible and individualized plans.
  
  
• Weekly consultations provide ongoing support.

• Counselors are not highly trained health professionals.
  
  
• Menu planning system can be confusing for some.
  
  
• Commitment to the packaged foods is expensive.
  
  
• Prepackaged foods can be boring when that is all you eat.
  
  
• Resuming regular foods at smaller portions is a problem for some people.