Jenny Craig

Reviewed By:
Lynn Grieger, RD

Jenny Craig diet basics

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.

Upside of the Jenny Craig Diet

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

Downside of the Jenny Craig Diet

• 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.

Is the Jenny Craig Diet for You?

This chart can help you see how the Jenny Craig diet fits your goals and lifestyle concerns.

Sample Jenny Craig Menu

The Jenny Craig diet is based on their frozen and prepared meals. Here is a typical menu:

Breakfast:

• Breakfast stuffed sandwich
  
• ½ grapefruit
  
• Glass of skim milk

Lunch:

• Spinach and cheese tortellini
  
• Salad
  

Dinner:

• Vegetable and chicken potstickers
  
• Broccoli

Snacks:

• ¼ cup low-fat cottage cheese
  
• Popcorn
  
• An apple
  

Lynn Grieger, RD on the Jenny Craig Diet

The Jenny Craig plan is an expensive menu-planning service that may or may not help you make changes necessary for long-term weight management.

iVillagers on the Jenny Craig Diet

"I am currently on the Jenny Craig system, and I think it is the best thing since toasters! I have lost 80 pounds in six months. I look great, I feel great, and I am finally doing something that I thought could never be done. All hail Jenny!" -- An iVillager

"All I lost at Jenny Craig was about $600. I was on one of their cheapest menus for the week which cost approx $75, but on top of that you also had to buy your bread, yogurt, fruit, veggies, etc." -- iVillager sharhill

See what other iVillagers have to say and weigh in with your own comments and stories on our Message Boards:

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