Jenny Craig vs. Nutrisystem - Which is the Better Choice

Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem are both really great programs that will help you lose weight and be healthy. There are some major differences between the two programs, but they essentially operate the same way. So which is better - Nutrisystem or Jenny Craig? Let’s look at some key factors for both programs and then you can decide for yourself. Diet Support Online With the Jenny Craig System you can opt for online interactions or you can go to one of their centers for your weekly consultations, so if you like face to face interaction, that's the way to go for you. Either way the same options for meals and the same tools and counselors are available. Nutrisystem no longer runs walk-in centers, but they do have an extensive online community and Nutrisystem counselors are available by phone too. If you elect the "at home" option for Jenny Craig, or choose Nutrisystem, just make sure that you allow plenty of time for your food orders to arrive, so you don't get caught without something appropriate to eat. Food Preparation and Choice If you do not want to have to worry about buying healthy items and preparing food, both Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem are good choices for diet. You get everything delivered right to your doorstep; all you have to do is read the included menu plan and heat it up. Both companies offer a variety of frozen and shelf-stable items. Of course, there are a couple of differences between the two as far as what is and is not allowed to be added to the plans. One advantage of Jenny Craig is that you can utilize their centers to get your meal options as well so if you forgot to place your order for the week or your shipment is missing then you can just stop in. It’s also nice to have a real person to person option for when you need that little bit of extra support. With Nutrisystem, you make the order for your meals online and the food will be shipped to you as quickly as possible, but in some cases you may find yourself in a situation that you have to go a day or two without your food plan. This means that you may have to survive the best you can with your own attempts at healthy eating. So always try and give yourself plenty of lead time when placing orders. When you are on a Jenny Craig diet, you do not have the liberty of adjusting or adding to your meals, as all your nutrient requirements are satisfied by the prescribed diet plan. With the Nutrisystem program, all the nutrients from the plan are in the meals as well, but you can add or adjust the meals to your liking, you also have a little more flexibility in "freebies" such as fresh fruits, veggies and healthy snacks. Cost With the Jenny Craig plan, spending starts at a base level of $65 per week and up. The costs can go up according to your plan’s special needs. In some cases you may find that your plan can go as much as four hundred dollars per week. With Nutrisystem, the costs are much more controlled. The plan cost is a flat rate and only varies according to the particular plan that you are on. The basic plan is about $75 per week; this price includes all the snacks and meals as well as the program fee. You can also save fifteen percent on the costs if you opt for the auto shipment/auto selection option for your plan meals. Conclusion The final tally for Jenny Craig vs Nutrisystem is that it ultimately it looks like Nutrisystem is the more cost effective option, but for face to face you really can't beat Jenny Craig. My advice would be to take a look at both options and the menus and then choose the plan that is right for you.