The Jenny Craig Diet
Jenny Craig is by no means a newcomer to the world of American dieting. Beginning back in 1983 in Australia, the program then started U.S. operations in 1985.
The Jenny Craig diet, or the Jenny Craig method as it is often termed, is a three-level food-mind-body plan aimed at the U.S. market to help people not just lose weight, but with the aim of keeping it off.
The program offers a high level of support in different ways, with one of the most notable being its telephone line operating on a 24/7 basis, allowing you to obtain information and support literally whenever you need it. The program also offers a wide range of written materials for you to purchase, as well as offering online support, including peer-support discussion groups.
The Jenny Craig diet is backed up and advised by a medical advisory board with certified professionals in medicine, psychology, and nutrition.
How does the Jenny Craig diet work?
The program has three elements or stages:
- Food. The first stage of the program teaches you how to eat the foods you want - in small portions at regular intervals. The aim here is to teach you how to eat sensible portions, how to plan and prepare healthy menus, and how to avoid eating issues when dining out or when having the occasional splurge.
- Body. The second stage of the program teaches you how to increase your energy levels just by undertaking simple activity. It shows that the key to losing weight and having lasting impact is being physically active. By determining where you are currently – for example, are you completely inactive sitting at a desk all day and just walking from car to office or are you someone who is physically active already, exercising several times a week? It teaches you that the Jenny Craig diet is not just about weight loss but also about long-term maintenance, working on strategies to develop a more physically active lifestyle.
- Mind. At the third stage, the program teaches you how to incorporate more balance into your life in order to maintain weight loss and healthy diet. The Jenny Craig diet stresses here that being positive and surrounding yourself with support and affirmation helps considerably. In short, it is all about your motivation mindset. What the Jenny Craig diet will do is keep you in touch with your goals and provide support along the way, even obtaining support from other clients. Nurturing yourself, not just with food, is exceptionally important here.
The key feature to the Jenny Craig diet is its pre-packaged meals. These mainly consist of frozen breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and even desserts. Containing 50% to 60% carbohydrate, 20% to 25% protein, and 20% to 25% fat, they are in line with the 2005 federal guidelines and USDA (United States Daily Allowance) food pyramid. You can supplement these meals with fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, and reduced-fat dairy products. Generally, there is no limit on non-starchy vegetables.
Although these meals are a key feature of the Jenny Craig Diet, there are other elements to the program, with the goal being to eventually wean clients off the prepared meals. The idea is that as you, the client, become more familiar with recognising correct portion sizes, the counsellors will teach you how to cook at home and to eat out. It is only for a certain period of time that clients are supported with a pre-packaged menu which serves as a model of healthy eating.
Interestingly – and for most perhaps encouragingly - no food is taboo. The focus is on moderation, a balanced diet, and getting plenty of exercise. However, some indulgence is permitted by 'occasional splurges' being built into the program to allow dieters a little ‘free reign’. The Jenny Craig diet educates which foods are high in fat and calories and should be used in moderation, versus foods which can be eaten more freely such as non-starchy vegetables, e.g. salad. The diet is not so much about denial, but an understanding of what you are doing if you want a slice of cake, although bearing that in mind, the Jenny Craig diet is calorie-based.
The menus you develop with your counsellor are based on your individual weight, height, and goals.
How much does the Jenny Craig diet cost?
For those in the U.S. contemplating embarking on the Jenny Craig diet, you can visit a Jenny Craig centre or call Jenny Craig Direct. The website, www.jennycraig.com, is undoubtedly the best place to start, as they often promote special offers. There are several levels of membership, compromised of the following:
- The Jenny TuneUp - created for clients who have a maximum of 15 pounds to lose and is advertised as a varying special offer (e.g. 20 Pounds for $20).
- Jenny OnTrack - at approximately $200 plus food, it offers the basic weight loss component of the program along with weekly consultations.
- Jenny Rewards - at about $325 plus food, this adds a weight maintenance component, gives various discounts and rebates (including a sliding scale discount on food purchases), and offers unlimited comeback privileges.
The Jenny Craig diet’s aim is not to be lifelong or permanent, rather to move you successfully through the program so that you develop long-term strategies for a healthy lifestyle.
If you’re after shedding some weight in a quick fashion, the Jenny Craig diet can steer you on the right path in a short space of time. To obtain maximum benefit from the Jenny Craig method, the counselling support on offer must be used as much as possible, particularly when switching from packaged food to your own healthy menu planning and meal preparation. Those of you most likely to get full value for your ‘diet dollar’ are those who feel ready to commit to the kind of lifestyle change Jenny Craig offers.
Have you tried the The Jenny Craig Diet
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