Is Jenny Craig Worth the Money?

The weight loss journey can prove quite cumbersome to most people; most quit midway through or decide not to try it altogether. The Jenny Craig diet is a program that attributes its success to the simple restriction of fat, calories, and the size of the food portions. Packaged foods that cover all meals and snacks are provided to the clients that have enrolled in the plan. It is one of the popular commercialized weight loss plans available; together with the easy to follow diet plans, Jenny Craig offers motivational support via phone or in-person meetings with consultants. However, is Jenny Craig Worth the Money?

How It Works

Clients on the Jenny Craig diet plan eat six times daily: 3 meals, 2 snacks, and a dessert. They are not required to weigh food, measure portions, or count calories on this program. This diet plan has received rave reviews from PatriciaandCarolyn.com, and it is ranked among the best diets for 2021. There is a selection of 100 starters and snacks that can be ordered online or by phone to be delivered at home or acquired at the local Jenny Craig center.

The clients following the plan receive support from Jenny Craig consultants either face to face or over the phone; most of them are former Jenny Craig clients who undergo nutritional and fitness training. However, these consultants are not nutritionists; instead, they help the users develop their meal plan while setting achievable targets, addressing their dietary challenges, and celebrating the milestones crossed in the process.

Depending on the client’s fitness habits, motivational level, and weight, the daily caloric intake ranges from 1200 to 2300. The users have a weekly weigh-in, either at home or at the program center. They average a weight loss average of one to two pounds every week.

Pros

Many people vouch for this diet, and the research shows that it works well. Nutritionally it meets most of the guidelines, and it helps an individual get enough potassium, fiber, and calcium. Although it may become costly for some people as they go on, pre-packaging makes it easy to follow.

The Jenny Craig clients meet with their counselor every week and receive a comprehensive weight loss plan. This support often includes recipes, diet tips, exercise motivation, and celebrating the accomplishments made. The food is pre-packed to eliminate guesswork while allocating the portions.

The program incorporates motivational support in all its steps from beginning to end. This face-to-face meeting with the clients gives it an advantage over other dieting programs.

Although not every person enjoys every food in the plan, the Jenny Craig meals taste good, and the quality is satisfying.

There are no detox portions in the diet plan: menus filled with exotic foods that claim to reduce fat or any banned foods. The level of effort is low since a person does not need to cook in the initial stages; only when one is halfway through the weight loss goal do they begin to eat meals made at home

Cons

Some people view this diet program as being a cumbersome option. The meals need to stay frozen then reheated when it is mealtime. It proves a hard task for people who are constantly moving or when there is no access to refrigeration or microwaves.

The frequently highlighted disadvantage of the Jenny Craig program is the price; this depends on the client’s location, diet plan chosen, and time of year; the cost may range from $15 to $23 daily in addition to shipping. The cost monthly for the food could be $550 and $800. There are also additional program fees to the food cost.

Most of the prepackaged Jenny Craig frozen foods are processed. They may contain high amounts of sodium. Also, some meals incorporate unhealthy ingredients, for example, sugar, bacon, or white bread. Some of the food may be unsafe for people with food allergies to dairy, soy, gluten, and peanuts. While some foods may not contain these allergens, the risk of cross-contamination is still high.

Not anyone on a gluten-free diet, particularly those with diagnosed celiac disease, can participate in the Jenny Craig diet. Most of the meals on this plan contain gluten ingredients, donuts, pasta, muffins, sandwich melts, pizza, and many more. The few meals that do not include gluten are also not intended for people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity because of the risk of cross-contamination during processing.

If an individual is vegan, this plan does not work for them, there are no prepackaged meatless options available, and all the vegetarian portions are made together with dairy.