Jenny Craig - How Much Is the Food?

[summerrluvv]

They have a coupon for 20lbs for $20, plus the cost of food. Exactly how much are we talking for the food if you do their online program? I can't seem to find this information anywhere! Thanks!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yeah, good question... either they don't want us to know before we fork (no pun intended) over the $20, or the cost varies by item. It looks like you order sort of a la carte, unlike NutriSystem where you don't get to choose your individual items but you do pay a fixed cost per week.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I did Jenny Craig a couple of years ago and the main reason I quit was that the food cost so much. It was about $300 a month. I talked to the consultant about ways to get it to cost less. Of course, she discouraged not buying the snacks or making my own breakfast because she got a commission from everything I bought. She did say I could use all "shelf-stable" foods instead of frozen. They had some canned soups, tuna and cracker kits, dry cereals and non-frozen dinners. I didn't really like their food but the shelf stable was the worst. I couldn't imagine living on it for several months.

Besides just buying their food, you have to supplement with foods you purchase yourself like fruits and vegetables, yogurt, etc. You need to add these extra items in when calculating how much the entire program will cost you.

 

[marypoppinswannabe]

I did Jenny Craig a couple of years ago and the main reason I quit was that the food cost so much. It was about $300 a month. I talked to the consultant about ways to get it to cost less. Of course, she discouraged not buying the snacks or making my own breakfast because she got a commission from everything I bought. She did say I could use all "shelf-stable" foods instead of frozen. They had some canned soups, tuna and cracker kits, dry cereals and non-frozen dinners. I didn't really like their food but the shelf stable was the worst. I couldn't imagine living on it for several months.

Besides just buying their food, you have to supplement with foods you purchase yourself like fruits and vegetables, yogurt, etc. You need to add these extra items in when calculating how much the entire program will cost you.

After budgeting for everything: their food and my extras, it was going to cost me 450.00...That is 250.00 more than I budget for myself each month... So, I decided not to do it.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Medi-Fast is easier, faster and therefore less expensive. Take Shape for Life is the entire program. Have a look if you are trying to become healthier and lose weight.

 

[Allison]

Yeah, good question... either they don't want us to know before we fork (no pun intended) over the $20, or the cost varies by item. It looks like you order sort of a la carte, unlike NutriSystem where you don't get to choose your individual items but you do pay a fixed cost per week.

Nutrisystem gives you the option to have a preset group of items or to choose your own items.

 

[Robinrs]

I was a spokesperson for JC back in my old radio station. I lost weight and loved it until my station lost the account and I had to pay for my own food...

I didn't eat any meat back then so my entire meal plan was rice and pastas and it was $88 for one week!! And this was in 1992!! I told my counselor I couldn't possibly afford this and she told me, in CONFIDENCE, that they are pushed to sell the food because it's how they make their money. She had no choice. I quit that day.

 

[ols386]

I did Jenny Craig a couple of years ago and the main reason I quit was that the food cost so much. It was about $300 a month. I talked to the consultant about ways to get it to cost less. Of course, she discouraged not buying the snacks or making my own breakfast because she got a commission from everything I bought. She did say I could use all "shelf-stable" foods instead of frozen. They had some canned soups, tuna and cracker kits, dry cereals and non-frozen dinners. I didn't really like their food but the shelf stable was the worst. I couldn't imagine living on it for several months.

Besides just buying their food, you have to supplement with foods you purchase yourself like fruits and vegetables, yogurt, etc. You need to add these extra items in when calculating how much the entire program will cost you.

I would definitely agree! JC is expensive. Although I did lose weight when I was eating their food. Once I got to a certain point, I got so sick of eating that food. I didn't think it tasted bad, but just tired of it. It isn't a cheap way to lose weight, that's for sure.

 

[LoraJ]

I would definitely agree! JC is expensive. Although I did lose weight when I was eating their food. Once I got to a certain point, I got so sick of eating that food. I didn't think it tasted bad, but just tired of it. It isn't a cheap way to lose weight, that's for sure.

That's the point I am at now. I like the food, but I am sick of it.

Back to sparkpeople for me. I need to do something!

 

[Allison]

Take a guess how much the Biggest Loser meal plan costs?


$679.80 for 4 weeks.

 

[mom2d&b]

sounds like it woudl be cheaper to eat at Subway everyday.

 

[LoraJ]

sounds like it woudl be cheaper to eat at Subway everyday.

Or Taco Bell!!

 

[holycow]

I liked Jenny's food much better than Nutrisystem. I have 2 cases of the stuff in my basement. Ick


I really enjoyed the food but at 68$ a month just too much for me.

I got a treadmill and started walking a mile a day and have lost 22 lbs. since Halloween.

 

[WDWBarb]

A few years ago I lost 40 lbs (in a pretty short time period - it was less than 4 months) using eDiets. Since they tell you exactly what to eat (and you can buy it at your local grocery store), it worked well for me. I chose the "convenience" plan, which was based around frozen meals (like Lean Cuisine and Healthy Choice) with a few other common items thrown in. I thought that was expensive (having to buy so many frozen meals) but it's nothing in comparison to Jenny Craig.

eDiets now has a plan with meals included and shipped to you but their own website says, "plans start at 19.95 a day plus shipping." That's $600 a month!

I just checked out eDiets.com to see what they are currently charging for online access and it looks like they are doing $17.95 for 5 weeks. BUT! I can't see anywhere where it tells you how much it is after those first 5 weeks. Hmm....

 

[barkley]

if you don't mind doing the prep work and cooking yourself you can buy the jenny craig cookbooks and make your own pre-portioned meals. the recipies are easy to follow, give exact portion sizes, and many are ideal for making in advance and freezing. the weight watcher cook books are good for this as well.

 

[Mermaid02]

I joined WW online this week. It was $53 for 3 months and it's $18 a month after that. Everyone in the house eats the same food. The website has TONS of information and some really neat features. I love the recipe builder that tells you how many "points" per serving are in YOUR recipes!

My Mom did JC- she lost weight but got tired of the foods and has gained some back. She joined WW at work and that starts this week.

edited to add: She would never tell me how expensive the food was but said it was "ungodly" which in "MomSpeak" is really, really, REALLY expensive.

 

[agnes!]

I liked Jenny's food much better than Nutrisystem. I have 2 cases of the stuff in my basement. Ick


I really enjoyed the food but at 68$ a month just too much for me.

I got a treadmill and started walking a mile a day and have lost 22 lbs. since Halloween.

The thing that I thought was bizarre about NutriSystem was how much sodium they have in the food, it's disgustingly high. My DSis did it and used to have tons of the stuff in her pantry, I took a look at the labels one time....I think she ended up throwing it out (and now I know why).
I think all of the big diet-food companies have you supplement with fresh fruit & vegetables so that isn't figured into their food-cost equations. Also if you actually look closely at the food in the TV ads...((shudder))...the meats are all formed and processed, just didn't appeal to me.

WOOOOOO-HOOOOOO!!!! Congratulations on the weight-loss! You GO, girl !​

agnes!

 

[mrs_hower726]

I am another one that recommends weight watchers. You learn how to eat balanced meals and portion sizes. Buying the prepackaged meals is completely OPTIONAL and they are relatively cheap if your wal-mart or target has a grocery section.

A PP mentioned that online has a good deal going on right now and if you want to go to an actual meeting, you can get the monthly pass for $39.99 a month that covers meetings as well as access to etools, where you can get tons of recipies, talk to others in a community forum, and track your food intake and weight.

I have lost 60 lbs. with WW and have kept it off for 10 months now.

Good luck in your decision!

 

[Nancyg56]

I lost my weight on WW and would reccomend it to anyone who really wants to learn how to change their eating habits. Even taking the cost of meetings into account it is cheaper than JC or Nutrisystem, the food is your own and you have the option of eating foor not out of a container.

 

[phorsenuf]

Signing back up for WW this week. I lost about 30 pounds using them before. They really do teach you how to change how you eat and it boils down to eating healthy. I fell off the wagon (got sick, did some traveling) and fell back into my bad habits.
Really looking forward to starting up again though. I felt so much better. I coupled WW with my Wii fit and it was a great combination.