According to Jenny Craig, their program focuses on teaching clients healthy eating habits by encouraging balance, variety and moderation. To implement this, the weight loss center offers a selection of prepackaged single serve meals and desserts. An individualized diet plan is made for each client according to the USDA food pyramid guidelines. Clients can choose between a pre planned menu or plan their own menu from a large selection of available food items.
How does the Jenny Craig Diet Work?
Clients are required to eat only the Jenny Craig prepackaged meals until they reach the half way mark of their weight loss goal. These meals will be supplemented with their own fruits, vegetables, low fat dairy products and grains. The amount of food that is allowed has been designed to meet the client’s caloric and nutritional needs and weight loss goals.
Six small meals a day are encouraged to help avoid hunger pangs and to increase metabolism. Once the half way point of weight loss is achieved, the client is transitioned off the prepackaged food to regular food. The client will attend weekly visits to the weight loss center for support and motivation.
What are the Advantages of the Jenny Craig Diet?
This diet may work well for those with a busy lifestyle and for those that don’t necessarily like to cook and those that appreciate quick, convenient meals. Everything is pre measured; there is no measuring of foods or counting calories. The meals provided help to teach what a realistic size portion should be, there is no guessing. There are menu plans created by Registered Dieticians especially for teenagers and their special needs.
For those that need accountability, the one on one weekly visits to the weight loss center are helpful; moderation, portion control and the benefits of exercise are taught. The Jenny Craig diet plan is not a fad diet that excludes certain food groups and it encourages sensible eating habits. The food may be shipped by FedEx if a client is unable to attend the weight loss center and online tools to assist with weight loss are plentiful.
What are the Disadvantages of the Jenny Craig Diet?
No other foods can be eaten other than those that are in the menu planner until the first half of the weight loss goals have been met. This may be restrictive for those that like to eat with their family, dine out often or travel frequently. The cost of the program may be prohibitive for some people; meals, supplements and membership costs need to be paid and then the client also supplements the diet with his own food.
According to North Western Education, councilors at Jenny Craig do not have any formal training in behavior and nutrition, therefore they consider the advice that they give as questionable. Currently, none of the meals available at Jenny Craig are Kosher certified or vegan. Lastly, if a male client is seeking to lose weight, he may feel intimidated at a Jenny Craig weight loss center as most of the clients are women.
 |
 |
 |
