Jenny Craig

Jenny Craig

Jenny Craig is a weight loss program that has been around for over 35 years.  It offers personalized support with 1:1 coaching and uses pre-portioned prepared meals and snacks to help individuals lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.  It has various plans and the cost depends on which plan you choose.  The most expensive and comprehensive plan is the Max Up Weight Loss Plan, where you follow an intermittent fasting protocol, in which you’ll fast for 14 hours each day and consume all of your meals and snacks within a 10-hour window.  The program includes education on cooking your own meals once the target weight is achieved.  


Cost Considerations:

The cost of the Jenny Craig program depends on the specific plan chosen and the length of time committed to the program.  Some of the costs include the cost of the pre-packaged food, which is shipped directly to the customer, and the cost of the coaching and support services.  There may also be additional costs for special products or supplements that may be recommended as part of the program. The average cost for a day's worth of food in the U.S. is around $28 which includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and two snacks, and personal coaching.  Delivery costs are extra.  It costs a minimum of nearly $100 per week, plus taxes and shipping costs.  In addition, the program recommends the purchase of extra fruits, vegetables, and dairy products to add to their meals and snacks.  


Time Commitment:

The Jenny Craig program requires a significant time commitment, as individuals are expected to follow a specific meal plan and participate in coaching and support services on a regular basis. However, the program is designed to be flexible and can be customized to fit individual schedules and lifestyles.

A February 2017 study in ​Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism1 found that a group of people assigned female at birth who were overweight and who followed the Jenny Craig diet for 12 weeks lost nearly 12 pounds each on average.

There is no specific time frame for how long someone should follow the Jenny Craig diet. 

According to the website, once individuals reach their weight loss goal, they will transition to the maintenance plan, which they can continue for as long as necessary.


Degree of Lifestyle Modification:

The Jenny Craig program involves a moderate degree of lifestyle modification, as individuals are required to follow a specific meal plan and participate in regular coaching and support services.   Exercise is not required, but 30 minutes of physical activity 5 days a week is recommended to improve results. 


Special Products Needed:

The Jenny Craig program typically includes pre-packaged meals and snacks, which are designed to help individuals achieve their weight loss goals.   However, there may be additional products or supplements recommended as part of the program, depending on individual needs and preferences.  To maintain weight loss, members must learn how to prepare healthy meals.  The coaches help with this transition, but some people may still find it difficult.  




Health Considerations: 

The Jenny Craig diet is likely safe for most individuals, though some of the meals and snacks may not be suitable for those with serious food allergies or restrictions.  Individuals with certain health conditions or dietary restrictions should consult with a healthcare professional before starting the program.  


Family-Friendliness:

The Jenny Craig program can be family-friendly, as it offers a variety of meal plans and options that can be customized to fit the needs and preferences of individual family members, as long as you purchase the plan for each person.  However, If you do not enjoy eating a lot of prepackaged or frozen foods, the Jenny Craig diet may not be a good fit for you.  


Hormone-Friendliness:

The Jenny Craig program is not hormone-friendly as their pre-packaged meals do not consider the nutritional needs of perimenopausal women.  The program is not suitable for people with specific dietary needs or preferences.  Meals are free from high fructose corn syrup, trans fats, MSG, and artificial colors and sweeteners, however, most of Jenny Craig prepackaged foods are highly processed and contain high amounts of additives and refined carbs and oils which may be bad for your gut health.   A typical Jenny Craig plan provides 1,200–2,300 calories per day, depending on your sex, age, activity level, and weight loss goals.  Since the entrées and snacks on the Jenny Craig diet are prepackaged, options are limited for people following special diets.  For example, none of the Jenny Craig food items are labeled kosher or halal, and there are no vegan lunch or dinner options.  Available gluten-free items are not clearly marked.


Likelihood of Long-Term Success After Stopping:

The likelihood of long-term success after stopping the Jenny Craig program depends on individual commitment to a healthy lifestyle.  Even though the program is designed to provide individuals with the tools and support needed to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle over the long term, many people report that the weight they lost on the program is regained after stopping it, particularly if they do not maintain a healthier lifestyle and diet changes.  


Degree of Support:

The Jenny Craig program provides individuals with a high degree of support, including regular coaching and support services, as well as online tools and resources.  Jenny Craig coaches are not healthcare professionals and cannot give diet advice related to medical conditions.  Many are former Jenny Craig members who became coaches themselves.  Therefore, it is advised that people with complex health conditions should seek guidance from a healthcare professional before starting a new weight-loss diet/program.


In Summary:

The Jenny Craig program can be an effective and convenient way to lose weight, however long-term success is questionable, there is reliance on pre-packaged foods that are difficult to combine with specific diet restrictions, exercise is not required, and there is no specific tailoring of the diet to be more hormone-friendly. 




1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28044449


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