Jenny Craig diet

The ultimate goal of the Jenny Craig diet is to educate individuals on healthy eating and lifestyle habits. The long-term strategies are taught over time through written materials, contact with consultants, the development of social supports, examining eating behaviors, learning proper nutrition, and engaging in regular exercise. To this end, individuals who follow the Jenny Craig diet are not encouraged to rely on its portion and calorie controlled foods or the advice of consultants to maintain long-term weight loss. The goal of the Jenny Craig diet is to move individuals successfully through the program so that they develop long-term strategies for a healthy lifestyle.

The primary criticism of the Jenny Craig diet is that individuals must consume pre-packaged Jenny Craig brand foods. Some individuals may not be satisfied with the limited meal options afforded in the initial stages of the diet. Also, critics argue that viewing the types and portions of foods in the pre-packaged meals in the initial stages of the diet does not translate into a working knowledge of how to cook and control portion size once the Jenny Craig brand products are no longer used. However, the Jenny Craig corporation debates these claims.

Program elements : The Jenny Craig diet is based around three elements, and each is stressed as an important part of long-term weight loss.

Food: The food aspect of the program begins with consuming primarily Jenny Craig products. For instance, a person may eat a Jenny Craig brand stuffed breakfast sandwich for breakfast and a snack of self-prepared fresh fruit at 10am. Lunch might be a pre-prepared Jenny Craig brand meal of frozen chicken strips; then as a 3 pm snack, fresh cut vegetable sticks. For dinner, a person may eat a Jenny Craig brand penne pasta followed by a Jenny Craig brand lemon cake for dessert. By starting with Jenny Craig products, the diet is purported to educate individuals to learn sensible food portions and how to plan a day's worth of healthy and nutritious foods. Management of possible diet difficulties such as splurging and eating at a restaurant are taught by counselors. Participants may also share tips with one another via the Jenny Craig website chat and message board functions. The Jenny Craig program also includes an element of nutrition education.

Physical activity: The Jenny Craig diet encourages individuals to incorporate a healthy amount of physical activity into their lifestyles. With the help of a consultant, individuals discuss barriers to achieving this goal, such as a busy schedule, not wanting to sacrifice time with family, or a dislike of going to a gym. The amount of physical activity a person participates in slowly increases through the course of the program.

Positive affirmations: The Jenny Craig diet includes an emotional component as well. Dieters learn about the situations where they tend to overeat or consume unhealthy high calorie foods. Consultants assist in the development of strategies to proactively cope with these situations. The Jenny Craig website, hotline, and weekly meeting with consultants are intended to help an individual maintain motivation for the diet. Developing social supports through participation with other dieters on the Jenny Craig website and by spending time with family and friends is also encouraged.

A qualified healthcare provider should be consulted before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.