Any tried Jenny Craig? I'm wondering how much it costs.

[AZBlue]

I'm thinking of trying it but am concerned about the cost. I'm going to call a representative tomorrow, but thought I might get a more honest and realistic answer here. I'm kind of "shopping around" for the right diet now and hope to start one in the next week or two. I've got quite a lot to lose and the idea of having someone plan out my meals does appeal to me - but not if I have to increase my food budget by four times!

Thanks in advance for any info!! AZB

[Lex]

1. Well, I'm doing NutriSystem right now and there was thread

on the NutriSystem board where members were talking about the difference between Jenny Craig and NutriSystem and they thought Jenny Craig was more expensive. Some had been on JC and switched to NS.

I've lost 13 pounds in 5 weeks on NS. But I had already lost 25 pounds prior to joining and my body hit the wall on losing anymore until my calories/portions were restricted even more.

It's hard to say exactly how much 'more' it costs me to do NutriSystem than my old regular food expenses. I eat out less now so that factors in too.

It's around $290 per month and that gives you breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert for 30 days. You do supplement with fresh fruit and veggies.

So that's what I know about that. :hi:

[AZBlue]

2. Thank you!!

I'm not sure if I can do Nutrisystem because I'm allergic to Nutrasweet and I think a lot of their foods contain it. I'll have to check out that thread though. I called JC and it was pricey - way more expensive than I pay now for food.

And, congrats on the weight loss!!! That's fantastic - you should be very proud!

[Lex]

3. Does Jenny Craig not use Nutrasweet?

I'm not having any problems with the Nutrisystem foods but I don't have any allergies that I know of. I do tend to like Splenda over Nutrasweet though, if I can choose.

:hi:

[AZBlue]

5. Hmmm...not sure, never got that far with them.

I think they at least use it less than Nutrisystem, if at all. When Nutrisystem started it was all Nutrasweet (that's where the Nutri- came from, although it's an "i" not an "a"). I believe they use it a bit less now, but it's still a big part of their program. I think Jenny Craig used saccharin, but that may have changed now too.

[Lex]

6. "NutriSystem" is years and years older than "nutra sweet" sweetner

NutriSystem was founded as far back as 1972 I believe.

I'm not sure the 2 things have anything to do with each other. I've been looking at my food labels and I don't see nutrasweet listed on any so far. There's Splenda in some of the desserts.

The lunch and dinner entrees don't have sweetners added, period. Some of the breakfast items use a touch of regular sugar and malitol (things such as the granola bar for breakfast). Same way with some of the desserts.

[AZBlue]

8. Really!?!?!?

Interesting! Especially since I knew a girl who went off it for just that reason - she said she had a weird reaction to the Nutrasweet!

Well, I have a little research to do! I'm so glad you set me straight - thank you so much!!!

[cmd]

4. I'm doing Jenny Craig

I've been on the program 10 weeks and have lost 40 pounds. The food is very good, but expensive. There are several levels of membership. A short term membership for people who just have a few pounds to shed, a medium and a long term. The long term membership includes discounts on the food and some other Jenny products.

Right now the food is running me about a hundred a week. Like I said, it's expensive. However, there has only been one meal that I absolutely detested. Next week I will get another 10 percent discount and will be paying about 90 a week. I'll have another 10 per cent discount at 20 weeks. Since my husband and I ate out a lot, the plan has probably saved me some money. (I always enjoyed a drink with dinner. That's a real budget blower.)

I started out at 1700 calories and have just moved to 1500. As I lose more, I will move down to 1200 calories - the lowest level.

The program includes food, exercise and behavior modification. You meet with your consultant once a week on an individual basis. (Hooray, no group weigh in!) My consultant has been very positive and helpful. I eat six times a day; 3 Jenny meals, one or two Jenny snacks and fresh fruit, lowfat milk or yogurt. Today a had a banana nut muffin, an apple and yogurt for breakfast; a Jenny vitamin bar and fruit for my morning snack; a meatball sandwich and salad for lunch; fruit for an afternoon snack; fish and chips and cooked spinach for dinner with Jenny's cookies and cream cheesecake for dessert; and I'll have a yogurt for my evening snack. You can choose the foods you want or follow a preplanned program. I choose my own foods.

So far I'm very pleased with the program. It was a perfect choice for me. However, I understand that it won't be for everyone. Hope I helped answer your questions.

edit: The only sweeteners I see on my packages are corn syrup or sugar.

[Lex]

7. Wow. Congrats!

40 pounds is great. JC sounds a lot like NutriSystem. As I'm losing weight on NS I'm trying to make myself be more aware of portion-size and actual hunger vs. recreational snacking (which I did too much of before). It took a couple of weeks to get myself used to the plan, but now it's smooth sailing. I have a close friend who's lost 80 pounds on NS and is at goal. She's very inspirational and I know if she can do it, I can too. Makes it more 'real' or something.

I've heard a lot of great things about Jenny Craig too. Again, congrats on your weight loss. :hi:

[AZBlue]

9. That's fantastic! Good for you!!

Congratulations - you should be very proud on your 40 pounds!