Diet Comparison
Here is a side-by-side summary of Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers to help you compare diets and choose a weight loss plan that will work for you.
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Diets |
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Best for...
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Great if you don't want to prepare meals, weigh portions, etc. Visits to Jenny Craig centers are encouraged.
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Anyone who is serious about long-term weight loss and thrives on peer support and encouragement.
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Risks
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No identified health risks. However, although the program advocates starting out on 100% Jenny Craig prepared meals and snacks and slowly migrating over to your own cooking, it is unclear how this is supposed to happen once you've gotten used to and lost weight on their food.
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None noted.
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Basic philosophy / approach
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Minimal effort, maximum choices. Program emphasizes counselor support (either in person or on-line) and use of prepared meals .
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Teaches the fundamentals of sound nutrition and basic fitness. Emphasizes group support at regular weigh-ins. Uses a point system to help you manage what you're eating and your portion sizes.
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Foods that are / aren't allowed
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Diet is limited to Jenny Craig prepared meals. All restrictions are factored in to these meals.
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Nothing is strictly restricted. The focus is on dietary awareness and portion size reduction and overall dietary balance.
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How much work involved
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At first, almost none. Pre-packaged meals take care ofthe work for you at the outset. And although the idea is that you slowly transition to regular food once you've established better eating habits, you can choose to keep eating the prepared meals - no hassle, no time investment.
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Highly flexible. You can eat Weight Watchers prepared meals, cook your own or do a combination. Weekly weigh-ins at Weight Watcher centers.
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Cost
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According to the folks at J.C., average cost is approximately $65/week. However, there are different membership options which afford different benefits, and one can spend as much as $400 in the first month.
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Register for Weight Watchers online for just $14.95 per month for plan, plus a $29.95 registration fee (on-line option).
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Speed to results
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Barring any initial dramatic loss due mostly to losing water weight, you can expect to lose between 1 and 2 lbs. per week on the Jenny Craig program - a nice, healthy, sustainable rate of weight loss.
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You can expect to lose between 1 and 2 lbs. per week, with a potential initial drop greater than that in the first week or two.
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Sign Up Online |
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Review
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Our review of Jenny Craig
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Our review of Weight Watchers
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More Comparisons
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