What is the Jenny Craig diet?
So, back in 1983, Sid and Jenny Craig started Jenny Craig to help folks shed those extra pounds with meals, snacks, and support. But in May 2023, they hit a bump and filed for bankruptcy.
But guess what? They made a comeback that same fall, thanks to Brandon Adcock from Wellful stepping in. Now, Jenny Craig is still in the game, dishing out their tasty meals and snacks, plus coaching.
The catch? No more in-person centers – it's all virtual coaching now. But hey, the heart of Jenny Craig remains: helping people on their weight loss journey.
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| Jenny Craig Diet |
- Pros
So, here's the lowdown on the program: you get virtual coaching, which means someone's got your back every step of the way. Plus, they hook you up with preportioned meals and snacks, so no fussing over portions.
And get this – their meals are all clean, no junk like high fructose corn syrup or artificial stuff. Oh, and there's some old-school research backing up its weight loss game. Sounds like a solid deal to me!
- Cons
This program ain't cheap. And get this – your coaches are actually just folks who've been through the program, not nutrition pros. Plus, the meals? Pretty processed, not exactly farm-to-table.
Oh, and you gotta hit up the grocery store for extra stuff every week. Not to mention, if you've got specific dietary needs, this might not be your jam.
They also hype up the weight loss but don't talk much about overall wellness. And don't even get me started on long-term results – not much research there.
How does Jenny Craig work?
Step 1: Program selection
On the Jenny Craig programs. You got three options to pick from:
- The 14-Day Plan:
This one's gonna set you back $175 per week. What you get? Well, you got yourself a weekly meal guide, 14 breakfasts, 28 lunches and dinners, 14 snacks or desserts, and 14 bars.- Club Jenny:
Costs you $99.99 per year plus the meals you choose a-la-carte. What's in it for you? You get personalized meal guides, 1-on-1 coaching sessions, and the choice of meals and snacks starting at $3.25 per meal.- . South Beach Living:
This one's gonna run you $165 per week. What do you get? Weekly meal guides, 10 breakfasts, 20 lunches and dinners, and 14 Recharge Bars.Hey, just a quick heads-up about those prices: they don’t include taxes or shipping fees.
Shipping can be a bit steep at around $49.99 per order, but here’s the cool part – your first week’s shipping is totally on the house!
Oh, and if you’re in the contiguous United States and opt for the 2-week auto-delivery deal, you’ll score free shipping too!
Now, if you ever decide to part ways, canceling your membership is a breeze. Just give customer service a ring or shoot them an email. Just remember to do it before 6 p.m.
EST the day before your order is scheduled, or you might end up with an unexpected charge.
Once you’re all signed up, you’ll get matched up with your very own Jenny Craig coach.
They’re like your personal cheerleader, ready to support you every step of the way, whether it’s through messages online or chats over the phone.
Step 2: Jenny Craig meal plan
Hey, so here’s the lowdown on Jenny Craig: they make losing weight super easy by sending you preportioned meals and snacks every two weeks.
It’s like getting a care package full of delicious, healthy goodies delivered right to your doorstep. And get this – they’ve got over 100 options to choose from, all under 300 calories!
Their meals are whipped up by nutritionists and food science whizzes, so you know you’re getting the good stuff. But hey, depending on the plan you pick, you might still need to whip up some of your own grub.
Plus, you’ll need to stock up on veggies and fruits from the grocery store to round out your meals.
Oh, and if you’re on the 14-Day Plan, they’ll throw in a little intermittent fasting action too.
That means fasting for 14 hours each day and chowing down on all your meals and snacks within a 10-hour window. Pretty cool, huh?
Jenny Craig Weight Loss
Jenny Craig is all about portion control to help you shed those extra pounds. They send you meals and snacks that are all pre portioned, so you don't have to worry about overeating.
Their meals usually clock in at around 200–300 calories, while snacks and desserts are around 150–200 calories.
They also encourage you to add in some veggies, fruits, and lean proteins to keep things balanced.
Now, depending on your body and goals, they set you up with a plan that gives you about 1,200–1,700 calories a day.
While you don’t HAVE to hit the gym, they do recommend getting in some physical activity – think 30 minutes of moving around 5 days a week, plus some strength training 3 times a week.
According to their website, most folks drop around 22 pounds in the first 8 weeks – that’s about 2.75 pounds a week.
But hey, just a heads up – experts usually suggest aiming for 1–2 pounds a week for a healthier, more sustainable weight loss journey.
While Jenny Craig might help you shed some weight, just keep in mind that going too fast might not be the best long-term plan.
Jenny Craig intermittent fasting
So, let’s chat about the 14-Day Plan from Jenny Craig – they’re all about mixing it up with intermittent fasting.
Now, intermittent fasting is basically when you limit the time you eat during the day. Some folks go for a 16-hour fast, while others might do a full 24-hour fast once or twice a week.
With Jenny Craig, they suggest a 14-hour fast followed by a 10-hour window to eat. And just before you break your fast with breakfast, you can munch on one of their Recharge Bars.
People say intermittent fasting has all sorts of health perks, like helping with insulin sensitivity and lowering blood pressure.
Plus, it’s gotten pretty popular as a weight loss trick, since it often means you’re eating fewer calories overall.
But hey, while it might be a good option for some folks, we’re still waiting on more long-term research to really know if it’s the real deal.
Jenny Craig for men
When we hear "Jenny Craig," we usually think of famous ladies like Valerie Bertinelli and Phylicia Rashad.
But what about the guys? Turns out, there are more overweight men than women in the U.S. Jenny Craig for Men is tackling this issue head-on.
The program offers personalized weight loss plans, meals, snacks, and support. Men get three Jenny Craig meals and two snacks daily, plus add-ons like veggies and fruit.
It focuses on building a healthy relationship with food, staying active, and finding balance. Whether at a Jenny Craig center or at home with Jenny Direct, men can expect to lose up to two pounds a week.
The bottom line
Give Jenny Craig a try? You know, with their ready-made meals and personal cheerleaders to help you drop those pesky pounds?
Sure, it might give you a quick jumpstart on your weight loss goals, but those monthly fees? Ouch. And living off packaged meals day in, day out? It's like Groundhog Day, but with less Bill Murray.
So, if you're up for something a bit more budget-friendly and, let's face it, a tad more exciting, maybe it's time to check out some other options. Just tossing that idea out there!