Both Jenny Craig and eDiets have earned a good reputation amongst dieters. Read more on these diet plans, in this article.
Owing to the increased fitness awareness amongst people, a number of diet plans are being launched by various brands. These diet plans are often aggressively marketed and touted as sure shot methods of weight loss. Needless to say, many people are willing to enroll themselves to such diet plans. Jenny Craig and eDiets are amongst the most popular diet plans around. These two diet plans have garnered rave reviews from dieters. However, neither of these diet plans is perfect. The following comparison should provide some insight on the differences and similarities between the two diet plans.
Comparison between Jenny Craig and eDiets
Jenny Craig diet was amongst the first few to hit the diet market. eDiets is an online program which offers weight loss solutions to dieters.
Concept
The concept of Jenny Craig diet plan is simple, you have to do nothing, because everything is provided by the Jenny Craig diet plan. The program comprises counseling sessions with experts, information CDs and videos and telephone support. However, the most important highlight of this diet plan is their prepackaged meals. The meals are delivered to your doorstep in frozen, canned or ready to cook formats.
You are allowed to prepare your own meals after you attain a target weight. eDiets differs in a way that it is an online diet program, wherein you enroll yourself to get tips and counseling from experts. You can interact with fellow dieters as well as expert on forums, message boards etc. You also access the recipe database, from where you can choose your favorite foods from the approved diet plan.
Rate of Weight Loss
Jenny Craig diet plan offers an ideal and steady weight loss of 1-2 pounds a week. Except for the first few weeks in which drastic weight loss occurs due to water weight, you maintain a healthy rate of weight loss. However, the weight loss rate is maintained only as long as you are on Jenny Craig prepackaged meal program. After that, your weight loss depends upon your individual diet plan and lifestyle.
On the other hand, weight loss through eDiets appears at a much faster rate of 2 pounds a week. Since eDiets essentially teaches you healthy eating and lifestyle habits, you are more likely to retain weight loss even after you are off the program.
Support
Support for dieters is available at Jenny Craig centers. You can get free counseling from the dietitians. Besides, you can also make use of the telephone helpline available to you. Support at eDiets is available through online forums, message boards and one to one online sessions with experts. You also have access to study material, tutorials and online database.
Meals
Jenny Craig diet plan is very much restricted when it comes to the menu. You have no option but to eat whatever is shipped to you, when you subscribe to the daily meal plan. However, recently there has been a change in this policy. You can now get some choice in what you get to eat. Instead of prepackaged meals, you can find recipes to cook your own meals. eDiets does not provide prepackaged meals as such, but they give you an access to their database of healthy recipes, so that you can cook your own meals.
Cost
There are various membership options for Jenny Craig diet, hence cost also varies for each plan. The average fees for this program is about $65 a week. Plus, you have to spend about $80 – $100 per week towards meals. In all, this is a very expensive diet option. On the other hand, eDiets is much cheaper with a total cost of $35 for 9 weeks.
Jenny Craig diet plan may not be the most healthy way of reducing weight, as more often than not the lost weight comes back to you, once you are off the diet meals. On the other hand, eDiets advocates healthy living and encourages healthy eating habits, thereby changing your lifestyle for good.