BLOG 77 JENNY CRAIG vs NUTRISYSTEM vs MEDIFAST

BLOG 77 JENNY CRAIG vs NUTRISYSTEM vs MEDIFAST

Oh the struggles of food. If only we didn’t have taste buds or the feeling of hunger. Let’s face it, food is part of all we do and on a DAILY basis. The struggle to overcome its powerful hold can be overwhelming and seem like a losing battle. The following 3 diets, Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem, and Medifast, have been around for years, and maybe you have even tried them out a time or two. Each has their own pros and cons to offer. What makes one program better than the other is up to the consumer. So let’s take a look at these three diets and chat about what they’re all about. 

Jenny Craig originated in Australia in 1983 by their developers Jenny and Sid. Expansion then took place and Jenny began to hire her team in order to establish a scientific based method for weight management. As such, “Upon moving to Australia, Sid and Jenny endeavored to find the most credible doctor, psychologist, dietitian and nutritionist who would help design a program according to the Australian guidelines and health needs. Because weight-loss heavily relies on behavior modification, they saw it as necessary to employ people who understood the psychology of weight-loss. To ensure this they visited the Australian Medical Association and Melbourne University where they met Dr. George Santoro, who helped create our program and still resides on Jenny Craig's Medical Advisory Board today” (http://www.jennycraig.com.au/about#VvVJwOjqurwwmYhC.97). 

At first there were about 15 menu items to choose from, and now there are over 100 products. Cost varies and there are always promotions: “The core of the diet is portion control that begins with prepackaged meals, which are usually frozen. The price of the meals, as well as the costs of enrolling in the program, varies depending on which plan you choose and which food items you purchase.” (http://www.healthline.com/health/jenny-craig-diet). One on one support is also available. There are over 600 sites in the world to seek help. Celebrities endorse the products and with an online search on their site the nutrition can be found so one can pick and choose their options and orders. The biggest incentive is portion control because all is measured and just needs to be heated or mixed. Jenny Craig claims you can lose 3x more weight with them than on your own. 

Nutrisystem has actually revamped itself in 2016 after being on the market for over 40 years now. The program is about meal management, meaning the thinking is done for you. Meals are prepared and delivered. Portion control is the foundation. The system promotes no artificial sweeteners or preservatives. I have had a few clients use this product effectively. The program is for 28 days at least, then longer if chosen. Calories are kept low and carbs and sodium are kept down too. It is designed to lose 1-2 pounds each week. I found this to be the most straightforward program.

Medifast promotes that is it “#1 Doctor Recommended”.  Medifast came to the market in 1980. It involves a combination of their foods and one meal which you cook yourself. It is partnered with a company called, Take Shape for Life. At the start, “Medifast was started in 1980 by William Vitale, M.D. under the umbrella of Jason Pharmaceuticals. At that time, Medifast was manufacturing and distributing Medifast Meals to doctors, who in turn prescribed them to their patients and counseled them through the Medifast Program. Throughout the 1980s, Medifast was available only through physicians' offices. With the onset of managed care, Medifast products were no longer covered by insurance, and doctors no longer had time to counsel patients to the degree necessary for sustained weight loss and management” (http://www.tsfl.com/about_tsfl/our_parent_company.jsp). I actually worked as a Medifast weight loss counselor. I spoke with clients about the program, tracked their progress, and attempted to alleviate any concerns. This service was beneficial to those who needed accountability. I imagine these are similar services Jenny Craig offers. Foods included snacks through the day and the protein and vegetable selection of your own at night. It’s called their 5 and 1 plan. Initially you can lose 2-5 pounds per week and then 1-2 pounds there after each week. One would then transition from these foods to less and less of them per day when their weight loss goal is met. This means that Medifast foods transition into real foods kept in caloric range. This is where I found most people to struggle. Re-introding a world of “real” food again poses a threat to success.  

These diets do work. They are a temporary solution to lose weight, but they do work when followed for the allotted time. Results and guarantees vary and the allurement of free shipping, discount for bulk buying, or having all their meals or some grocery, would be decision factors. Today there are cell phone apps, online chat support, and commercials constantly. Around the New Year and summer we always hear more about these. Ultimately, behavioral changes need to take place in order to have life long and long lasting success with weight loss. Find what works best for you on your fitness journey and make it happen!!!! Tackle the obstacles as they come and work to better your decisions. I will be your cheerleader through it all.