Jenny Craig is a popular diet method that helps people lose weight by combining low-calorie prepared meals and one-on-one coaching with intermittent fasting, which can promote weight loss and other benefits. Much like the well-known Nutrisystem diet, this program aims to provide support and structure to make losing weight simple for those who are new to weight loss or for those who have a busy lifestyle. Given that success with Jenny Craig has been widely reported by many people including popular celebrities, we thought a Jenny Craig Diet review was in order.
The best weight-loss programs not only help you achieve your goals but also support the development of healthy habits that will keep the weight off long-term. They're also easy to follow and provide flexibility to fit any lifestyle. In this Jenny Craig review, the ACTIVE Reviews Team takes a deep dive into this program to give you a clear understanding so that you can take into consideration the pros and cons and decide if it's a good fit for you.
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Disclaimer: Always make sure to consult with your doctor before starting a new diet. Any weight lost that totals more than 1 pound per week over a long period of time is unusual and should be monitored by a doctor.
A Quick Look at Jenny Craig
SPECS
- Plan options: Simple Meal Plan, Essential Meal Plan, Max Up Weight-Loss Meal Plan
The founder, Jenny Craig, opened her first gym with her husband after she realized that exercise alone does not lead to weight loss. After great success, they opened the first Jenny Craig Weight Loss Center in 1983 which integrated portioned nutritious and delicious meals and coaching to help build a healthy lifestyle that would be sustainable long term.
Jenny firmly believed that healthy food should be enjoyable, which is why chefs and nutritionists work to ensure that each meal is not only tasty but nutrient dense. There are several different plans to choose from, each offering a distinctive amount of support, that way you can choose a plan that fits your needs and your budget.
What We Like
- Convenient meals developed by chefs and nutritionists that are healthy and delicious
- Encourages a moderate consumption of healthy fats while limiting unhealthy fats
- Max Up Weight-Loss Plan includes one-on-one coaching for additional support
- You'll slowly transition to home-cooked meals, which can help make healthier choices long-term
- Easy to follow
What We Don't Like
- Meals may not be suitable for all dietary needs and allergies
- Expensive
How Does the Jenny Craig Diet Work?
Membership Plans
There are three membership plans to choose from. The Simple Meal Plan will get you a full week of breakfasts and lunches, so it's up to you to make dinner and supply snacks as needed. You'll also have to pay for shipping each week. The Essential Meal Plan includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the whole week and free delivery is included.
The Max Up Weight-Loss Plan includes all meals for the week plus seven snacks and desserts and seven Recharge Bars, which are said to accelerate your fat loss by extending your metabolic window. You'll also get your very own coach who you'll meet with weekly for weight-loss guidance, custom feedback, and personalized meal planning. Not to mention, you'll receive a coach-guided customizable Activity Plan designed to get you moving even if you're just starting to incorporate exercise.
Personal Coaching
If you choose the Max Up Weight-Loss Plan, you'll meet with your coach weekly online, by telephone, or in person if there is a Jenny Craig Weight Loss Center near you. During the first meeting, your coach will get to know your goals, food preferences, and activity level. From there, they will develop a custom plan for you to follow. Your coach will help you navigate any hurdles and answer any questions you have in the meetings that follow.
Intermittent Fasting
The Max Up Weight-Loss Plan utilizes intermittent fasting, which means you'll be restricting your food intake to a designated eating window. It's recommended that you fast for 14 hours which leaves the other 10 hours of the day for eating. The Recharge Bar is supposed to be consumed toward the end of your fasting period since it's said to extend your metabolic window. Fasting has been associated with health benefits such as reducing blood pressure, regulating appetite, and even improving insulin sensitivity, however, it's important to note that more research is needed on these claims.
Benefits of the Jenny Craig Diet
Easy to Follow
Jenny Craig takes the guesswork out of deciding what to eat and how much when you're trying to lose weight. When you're ready to eat, all you have to do is pop your entree in the microwave and enjoy. You're encouraged to supplement your day by adding your own fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products which help keep you full and also build habits that make better food choices in the long run.
Balance and Portion Control
Each meal you receive is individually portioned so by the time you finish the program, your body is accustomed to those portions given that you stick with the meals consistently. This teaches how to properly portion your proteins, carbohydrates, and fats when you switch back to preparing your own meals. Adding fruits and vegetables with each meal promotes eating them regularly, and the plans that include desserts and snacks teach that you can have treats from time to time.
Community Support
Having support from a coach will not only help answer any questions you may have but it can help with accountability. If you opt for a plan that does not include coaching, the Jenny Craig website has a Healthy Habits blog that includes tons of insightful articles, recipes, and exercise support. The site also has a Community section where you can post questions and share ideas and recipes.
Does the Jenny Craig Diet Help with Weight Loss?
Weight-loss success is determined by different factors and can vary from person to person, but overall, eating smaller portions and incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your diet can certainly help with weight loss. With any diet, it's important to follow it consistently to achieve the desired results. Before starting, we recommend checking with your primary care physician to see if it's a good fit for you.
Our Verdict
Overall, Jenny Craig is a convenient way to lose weight since you don't have to worry about preparing most or all of your meals depending on the plan you choose. The meals are intentionally developed to taste good so you don't feel restricted and provide essential nutrients. The variety of plans allows you to choose how much or how little support you need and give you options that fit your budget.
FAQs About Jenny Craig
Is Jenny Craig really worth it?
Yes, if you want to lose weight but don't have time to make your meals or want to learn more about portion control and other healthy habits, Jenny Craig is worth it.
How much weight can you lose in a month on Jenny Craig?
The amount of weight you will lose depends on a variety of factors that are specific to you. However, if you're following the program consistently, you're likely to see positive results month to month.
How long does it take to see results on Jenny Craig?
It's been reported that people see the scale go down within the first week, but these results vary from person to person.
About the Author
Rachael Gonzalez is a Staff Writer for ACTIVE. She spent five years in education before she joined the ACTIVE team in 2022. In this role, she is still able to make a positive impact on others by writing about something she loves: health and wellness.
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