The Jenny Craig diet is a weight loss program that combines social support, pre-packaged food, nutrition counseling, and exercise
The Jenny Craig diet plan uses different elements to help participants reach a weight loss goal and then maintain their goal weight. The program has various levels of involvement and requires participants to purchase pre-packaged foods.
People use the Jenny Craig diet for obesity and weight loss. It is also used for other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Uses & Effectiveness
Possibly Effective for
Obesity. Following the Jenny Craig diet results in short-term weight loss. But it's not clear if it's more effective than other dieting programs.
There is interest in using the Jenny Craig diet for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Side Effects
The Jenny Craig diet is likely safe when followed appropriately. It's been widely used without reports of safety concerns.
Special Precautions and Warnings
The Jenny Craig diet is likely safe when followed appropriately. It's been widely used without reports of safety concerns.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if the Jenny Craig diet is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. But there is no reason to expect safety issues as long as nutritional needs are met.
Interactions
We currently have no information for JENNY CRAIG DIET overview.
Dosing
The Jenny Craig diet uses multiple techniques to help a person lose weight. Each person who participates in the program has weekly meetings on the phone or in person with a counselor. Participants are also counseled to cope with situations that might make them overeat or choose unhealthy foods. Each person must also purchase pre-packaged Jenny Craig foods, which are meant to help with selecting the best foods for weight loss. Finally, exercise is strongly encouraged.
Baetge C, Earnest CP, Lockard B, et al. Efficacy of a randomized trial examining commercial weight loss programs and exercise on metabolic syndrome in overweight and obese women. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2017;42(2):216-227. View abstract.
Finkelstein EA, Kruger E. Meta- and cost-effectiveness analysis of commercial weight loss strategies. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2014;22(9):1942-51. View abstract.
Finley CE, Barlow CE, Greenway FL, Rock CL, Rolls BJ, Blair SN. Retention rates and weight loss in a commercial weight loss program. Int J Obes (Lond). 2007;31(2):292-8. View abstract.
CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.