Company going out of business
As of May 2023 , Jenny Craig has harbinger that it is filing for bankruptcy and shutting down its operations in the United States and Canada . For the good weighting loss computer program of 2023 , be sure to see out ourdietitian ’s pick here .
Both Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig provide portion - controlled , reduce - large calorie prepared meals and snack . But they differ based on cost , plan change , and professional support .
Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig are two popular weight release program that have been around for tenner .
Although the two companies offer similar services , many masses wonder how they compare and whether one is better .
This article research Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem ’s law of similarity , difference , benefits , and downsides to facilitate make up one’s mind whether either programme is correct for you .
An overview: Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig
What is Nutrisystem?
establish in 1972,Nutrisystemis a well - established weight loss program that offers monthly livery of portion - controlled , reduced - large calorie prepared meal and snacks .
The political program requires a monthly subscription that include a repast design and a pick of Nutrisystem ’s come down - calorie breakfasts , tiffin , dinners , and snacks . Members also get memory access to NuMi , an app that provide daily peak , smart reminders , and food and practise trailing .
you’re able to follow the programme for as long as you like , and you have the option to scratch over the phone at any time .
What is Jenny Craig?
Jenny Craigwas establish in 1983 in Australia and made its path to the United States in 1985 .
Similar to Nutrisystem , Jenny Craig is a system of weights loss program that delivers part - control , cut down - nutritionist’s calorie train meal to your home .
The more money you spend , the more meals you get . With the highest price plan , you also get personalized coaching . According to the company ’s web site , the plan ’s goal is to serve you lose 2 pound ( just under 1 kg ) per week .
you’re able to abide by the Jenny Craig broadcast for as long as you like , as it also offers a maintenance plan once you ’ve reached your goal free weight . you could set off your rank by phone or electronic mail .
Customer reviews and brand reputation
Nutrisystem
Nutrisystem has a Better Business Bureau ( BBB ) evaluation of A+ and is accredited by the BBB .
The electronic messaging on the Nutrisystem website makes no promises about a specific amount of weighting red ink to expect in a given time skeleton .
Reviews for Nutrisystem are interracial . Many reviewer say they enjoyed the nutrient item and found the design to be a convenient way to recede weight .
However , other reviews are less favorable , with masses sound off that the food is highly processed and overpriced , particularly since you may still need to purchase fruits and vegetables to create balanced meals .
Unhappy customers also note that they ’ve experienced issues with unapproved acknowledgment card charges , incorrect delivery item , and difficulty delete their subscriptions .
Jenny Craig
Jenny Craig has a BBB valuation of A+ but is not accredited by the BBB .
Many customers apprise that Jenny Craig is easy to follow and offers the option of one - on - one health coaching job .
Several commentator also note that they revel the taste of the prepared repast and packaged snack bars .
In dividing line , dysphoric customers mention that they dislike the predilection of the solid food items and did n’t discover the coaching helpful .
During Healthline ’s vetting process , we noted that the caller has been involved in several causa . The most recent judicial proceeding concerned the company illicitly send unsolicited text edition messages to advance its armed service ( 1 ) .
The programs are very similar
Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig are plan to stick out weight loss using meal preparation and prepared meal .
Both political program tender a selection of calorie - controlled package meals and snacks that are render to your room access . They also feature a mountain chain of plans at different toll points — the more you pay , the more meals , snacks , and indorse you get .
The companies ’ websites offer up menus of meals and snack and allow you to pick out the items you ’ll enjoy the most .
However , the repast are not alwayswell balanced . For example , a fixed meal may be macaroni and cheeseflower , so you will require to impart your own vegetable and fruit ( and often supernumerary protein ) to create a complete repast .
Main differences
Although Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig use the same general approach , they have a few key dispute .
Personal support
One significant difference of opinion between Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem is your admittance to individualized weight personnel casualty livelihood .
Research suggests that diet and fittingness plans may be more in force when paired withpersonalized coaching job and accountabilityto facilitate you stay on track ( 2 ) .
Jenny Craig ’s high tier , the Max Up Weight Loss Plan , comes with weekly one - on - one weight red coaching . For some , this feature may make the conflict betweensuccessful weight lossand another go bad dieting endeavor .
Jenny Craig has more than 600 pith around the world , where you may meet with a coach in person . They also offer appointments online or by phone .
Your coach will help you determine what small calorie level to follow , found on your age , pinnacle , current weight , finish free weight , and activity level .
However , Jenny Craig weight loss adviser are n’t required to have formal coaching job certification or experience , so their advice may not be grounds - based or true .
coach attend a education course of instruction evolve by a dietician , which covers the basics of nutrition , utilization , and behavior modification .
Nutrisystem does n’t have any physical locating , but you’re able to call and speak with the company ’s team of weight loss counselors any day of the workweek .
Instead of train , Nutrisystem offers the NuMi app , which includes a journaling feature article for log your food and exercise .
Meal plan options
Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig also differ in the eccentric of meal program they offer .
Jenny Craig has three software to choose from :
The Simple Meal Plan is the most low-priced and provides 14 breakfast and 14 lunches each calendar month . The other options are increasingly more expensive and put up extra meal , snacks , and support .
Nutrisystem offers a more tailored repast plan social organization , feature six plans , each of which is uncommitted in three computer software size .
The plans presently useable are :
Each plan includes a month ’s worth of breakfast , lunches , and dinners . However , you may upgrade your architectural plan to get a wider selection of menu item , including Premium Meals , which are plan to be higher in protein and control more vegetable .
Cost
Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem utilize tiered pricing options to accommodate a range of budgets , though Nutrisystem generally costs less than Jenny Craig .
Depending on the plan and box you pick out , Nutrisystem cost $ 279–$609 per month . you’re able to save up to 50 % by ordering 2 months ’ worth of meals at a time and signing up for automatic legal transfer .
In comparison , Jenny Craig cost $ 420–$840 per calendar month , depending on the repast program you prize . There ’s also a shipping fee of $ 20–$30 .
Keep in mind that , unlike Nutrisystem , the most basic Jenny Craig program includes only breakfast and lunches , so you ’ll need to budget for additional grocery .
Potential benefits
Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem may proffer several potential benefit for hoi polloi endeavor to fall behind weight .
May save time and simplify meal planning
As they cater ledge - stable or frozen meal and snacks , Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig can serve you cut down on the amount of time you would otherwise expend grocery shopping , cooking , and even doing dishes .
What ’s more , neither plan requires much time formeal planningor calorie counting .
For these ground , the platform are invoke to people who have busy schedules or dislike cooking and grocery shopping .
May promote weight loss
Weight loss is complex . According to the National Institutes of Health , legion factors — such as your genetics , hormones , aesculapian condition , socioeconomic status , environment , food for thought intake , sleep habit , and tenseness point — may affect your ability to lose weighting ( 3 ) .
Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem focus on only the most canonical aspect of weightiness loss : eating fewer calories than your eubstance burns(4 ) .
Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem meal plans allow for roughly 1,200–1,500calories per day , which is in all likelihood low enough to excite free weight loss for most adults .
A review on the effectuality of commercial exercising weight loss programs ground that Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem led to 4.9 % and 3.8 % more weight loss , respectively , than a mastery diet after 12 month ( 5 ) .
However , it ’s crucial to note that the quality of the research study was sundry . Overall , more research is need to inquire the effectiveness of both dieting for free weight going and weight maintenance .
May improve blood sugar regulation
By abide weighting loss through component - controlled meal , Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig may also help improve roue carbohydrate regulation .
Research suggests that modest weight passing of 5–10 % of your organic structure weight may contribute to substantial melioration inblood sugar regulation(6 ) .
One review receive that Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem were associated with important improvement inHbA1c(a measure of blood bread regulation over time ) over 12 and 6 months , respectively , in individuals with type 2 diabetes ( 7 ) .
Potential downsides
While Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig may offer a commodious way to lose exercising weight , the plan also have several downsides that you may want to consider .
Evidence for long-term weight loss is limited
Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig may help you fall behind weightiness in the short term , but there is special grounds to suggest that they ’re effective for long - term weightiness red and sustentation .
Both companies claim that they teach healthy wont to help the great unwashed sustain a intelligent weight , such asportion controland meal preparation . They also include maintenance plans that you’re able to transition into once you ’ve reached your goal free weight .
However , some people may find it hard to plan level-headed meal and stay within their calorie goal if they become reliant on the computer programme ’ prepared repast and snacks .
inquiry also shows that a key component of weight loss maintenance is on-going support , which is included only in the Jenny Craig Max Up Weight Loss Plan ( 8) .
in conclusion , because the program are high-priced and low in calories and the food for thought option can get repetitive , the programs are not realisticlong - term diet root .
Diversity of meal options is lacking
Despite offering C of meal and snack options , the company ’ menus deficiency culturally diverse menu options .
Instead , the packaged repast feature standard American - style dishes , such as burger , scrambled nut , pasta , chicken , pastry dough , andpizza .
The card also do n’t accommodate many dietetical penchant or penury .
For example , while both syllabus offer a decent selection of vegetarian options , neither programme is suited for citizenry following avegan diet .
in the end , Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem are not suited for multitude with severe food allergic reaction or intolerance . Neither company offers allergen - free menus , and there is a risk of cross taint because the items are serve in facility that handle common food allergens .
Most meals are highly processed
Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig boost a liberal consumption of fresh vegetables . However , the company ’ premade meal consist of mostly extremist - refined ingredients , include refined grains and high atomic number 11 condiments .
Additionally , many of the meal choice are low in fiber and moderate no fruits or vegetables .
Frequent intake of highly action foods has been associated with an increased risk of exposure of corpulency , several continuing health condition , and poorer nutritionary condition compared to diet rich in whole , minimally march foods(9,10 ) .
Nutrition recommendations aren’t personalized
For the most part , Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem operate on a one - size - convulsion - all model , with plans providing 1,200–1,500 kilocalorie per day .
Because the plans do n’t calculate for individual factors such as body authorship , old age , sex , trust exercising weight loss , and fitness goals , they often lowball thenumber of caloriesyour eubstance really needs to plunk for intelligent weight departure .
Jenny Craig ’s Max Up Weight Loss Plan include one - on - one coaching job to comfortably customize your experience . However , the coaches are not nutrition professional and do not have the same educational activity or credentials asregistered dietician .
The programs are expensive
Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig may be too expensive for many people .
allot to the U.S. Department of Agriculture , the average monthly cost of groceries is $ 298.80–$431.30 per adult in a 4 - person house ( 11 ) .
In compare , the cheapest Nutrisystem architectural plan be $ 279 per month . The monthly price rag arise to $ 379.99 per calendar month for the most expensive auto - delivery plan and spike to $ 690.89 per month for a one - time delivery .
Jenny Craig ’s general cost is even higher , at $ 420–$840 per calendar month .
Also , keep in mind that the prices mention above cover only the meals you regularise from Nutrisystem or Jenny Craig . They do not account for extra groceries , such as veggie , yield , milk , and other token you ’ll still need to buy each month .
While some mass may find that the convenience is deserving the extra cost , there are moreaffordable waysto eat healthier and lose weighting .
The programs are not very eco-friendly
Another drawback of Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem is the amount of waste they produce .
The food items come separately packaged in cardboard box and plastic wrapper . While the packaging is recyclable , the barren from these exclusive - use packages adds up , contributing to yourcarbon footprint .
Heads-up
Trying to “ do it right ” when it come to nutrition may palpate alluring , but it can backlash .
If you are preoccupied with food or your weight , feel guilt surrounding your food choices , or routinely lock in restrictive diets , debate give out for support . These behaviors may indicate a disordered relationship with intellectual nourishment or an eat disorder .
distract eating and eating disorders can impress anyone , regardless of gender identity , backwash , historic period , torso sizing , socioeconomic condition , or other identities .
They can be triggered by any combination of biologic , societal , cultural , and environmental component — not just by exposure to dieting culture .
finger empower to talk with a qualified health care professional , such as a register dietician , if you ’re shin . you may also chat , call , or text anonymously with trained volunteers at theNational Eating Disorders Associationhelpline for devoid or explore the organization ’s free and low monetary value resource .
How do Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig compare to competitors?
There are many commercial-grade weight loss programme on the grocery . Here ’s a quick flavour at how Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem compare to their other master competitors :
Which is better?
Despite some differences , Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem are ultimately very standardized .
Either of these programs may be a good option for masses who have difficulty bound portion sizes and value the restroom of havingprepared mealsdelivered right to their doorstep .
When take between the two , you ’ll want to count your budget , food preferences , and support needs .
While Nutrisystem is in general more low-priced , Jenny Craig will be a better fit if you ’re concerned in receiving individualized health coaching — and can yield the monthly toll .
The programme ’ food choice are standardised , though Nutrisystem extend more menu types , including a diabetes - specific plan and an option for duet .
You ’re not potential to stick with a political platform if you dislike the food for thought , so browse Nutrisystem ’s and Jenny Craig ’s menus to see which program better aligns with your food predilection .
Regardless of which plan you choose , it ’s important to consider how you ’ll maintain your weight loss once you discontinue the program .
For example , several repast planning apps , such asPlateJoy , offer curated meal plans and grocery leaning to help you stay on track with your health goals .
Frequently asked questions
Does Nutrisystem or Jenny Craig have better support?
Jenny Craig ’s highest level programme offers weekly one - on - one support from a health coach , though the motorcoach are not credentialed health professionals .
In contrast , Nutrisystem does not have personalized coaching . or else , Nutrisystem encourages member to expend the NuMi app , which offers tool to back your weight loss campaign , such as food tracking , sassy reminders , and daily tips .
Does Nutrisystem or Jenny Craig have better food?
Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig have mixed reviews on the taste and tone of their meal . The programs are similar in that they mostly extend highly swear out snack bars and frozen meal .
Is Nutrisystem or Jenny Craig more effective for weight loss?
Limited research suggests that Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem are every bit effective for system of weights loss for up to 12 months ( 5 ) .
Jenny Craig ’s highest priced plan volunteer one - on - one support , which has been express to be an important factor for weight red and maintenance .
However , as Jenny Craig is more expensive , Nutrisystem may be easier for some mass to perplex with longer .
Keep in idea that there ’s currently no research to corroborate whether these diet are effective for longsighted - terminal figure exercising weight red ink and upkeep .
The bottom line
Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig are popular weight loss programs that fork over extremely processed frozen and ledge - stable meal to your door .
The programme habituate a one - size - fits - all approaching and may be effective for weight loss .
However , as the programme are expensive and bank on premade meals , neither Jenny Craig nor Nutrisystem is designed to be a sustainable weight loss solution .
If your goal is to form sustainable healthy behaviors and lifestyle change , you may be better off gift your time and money to work with aregistered dietitian .
Learn Craigby confabulate their websites .
