My Portions For Life

Beef Stroganoff with noodles…basil chicken with tomato sauce…tuna casserole…turkey with dumplings.    These might not sound like diet foods, but they are, according to the NutriSystem diet program.  The program offers separate pre-packaged food plans for women in general, men in general,  diabetics, and vegetarians.  And, according to medical research, dieters who use a plan such as NutriSystem lose 30 percent more weight over a period of four months than people who follow other weight loss programs.

       Visit the NutriSystem website at www.nutrisystem.com, and you’ll find a number of testimonials from successful dieters.  For instance, there’s Janet Z, who lost 24 pounds and is quoted as saying, “My favorite thing about the NutriSystem program is the convenience of it all, the variety of food, and the fact that this Italian girl can eat pasta every night if she wants to!”

          And then there is Nicole S., who lost 28 pounds.  Nicole states, “I thought it was extremely easy.  I carried them in my bag and there were plenty of choices.  I never got bored and I’d say that it’s foolproof.”

           The NutriSystem plan offers you food that ranks at the low end of the Glycemic Index, which determines the effect of carbohydrates on blood sugar.  Those foods that lead to stable blood sugar have a low Glycemic Index ranking.  The idea is that, by following the NutriSystem program, you will end up burning fat.  The plan requires you to eat five times a day in order to speed up your metabolism.       

          Originally, Dr. Jay Satz began the NutriSystem program as a diet plan which offered dieters only 400 to 500 calories per day of nutrition.  Today, the calorie allowance at NutriSystem is much more generous.  The program offers 140 different meals, from pancakes to fettuccini  alfredo, and from cheesy potatoes to chili with beans.  Satz himself is partial to the chicken marsala for his main entrée and chocolate crunches for dessert.  

          Backers of the NutriSystem program say that it offers appropriate nutrition, enabling an individual to lose weight without sacrificing valuable nutrients.  The food portions are determined for you, so you do not have to worry about eating too much.  Also, since the food is sent right to your home, the program receives high marks in the convenience category. 

         There is no need to visit a NutriSystem center, although you can call a weight loss counselor for support.   Membership is free and includes unlimited counseling, newsletters, online classes, a computerized weight control diary, and online chat rooms.  Also, when you enroll in the program, you will receive a complimentary diet analysis.

        With the NutriSystem program, you end up eating 55 percent of your calories from low-glycemic carbs, 25 percent from protein, and 20 percent from fat.   The plan is low in sodium and derives less than five percent of its calories from trans and saturated fats.  The meat tends to be lean and low-fat, while whole grain foods are also plentiful in the meal plan.  Under NutriSystem’s guidance, you’ll eat more than four cups of fruits and vegetables a day—the amount advised by federal health officials.

          Another advantage to the NutriSystem program is that it enables you to plan meals far in advance.  Generally speaking, you begin with four weeks’ worth of products, enabling you to have enough meals and snacks for a full 28 days.  If you choose, however, you can order as much as ten weeks’ worth of food.

          Primary advantages to the NutriSystem plan include the fact that it is highly easy to use, since you will have food delivered directly to your door.  The menus also tend to be rich in nutrients, making the meals a healthy choice.  One of the major disadvantages, however, is that you will not learn how to shop for healthy food or learn how to prepare it, since the choices are made for you.  Also, you may not like the NutriSystem food, which may make it difficult to stick with the program.  In addition, the program can cost you hundreds of dollars—an investment you might not be prepared to make.  Moreover, some health experts say that you are far better off working with a registered dietician than trying to follow a prepackaged meal plan.  

Actress Kirstie Alley made headlines when she lost 50 pounds following the Jenny Craig weight program.  As a result, Alley has become an outspoken advocate of this nutrition system.  While Alley’s weight loss may be surprising, you may be wondering whether you could duplicate her success.   But, to begin with, you need to have an understanding of Jenny Craig, the company’s claims, and whether the weight loss program is a sure-fire way to lose weight. 

       The company website notes that Jenny Craig is one of the biggest weight loss programs in the country.  Company managers say that the program stresses good nutrition and moderate activity.  As a result, company executives say, individuals can achieve their weight loss goals by carefully following the program.   Jenny Craig has more than 600 locations in North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Puerto Rico.  If you enroll in the program, you will receive a weight loss instruction book and you’ll be able to locate a weight loss partner through an online bulletin board.

        The program offers two general approaches to weight loss.  With the first approach, you report to a Jenny Craig Center, where you’ll receive individual consultations.  The consultant will work with you to develop daily menus.  You buy the diet food directly from the company.   The second approach is an at-home program in which you have phone conversations with your consultant.  You order your food every two weeks, with menus and other materials delivered to your home, within five to seven days after your order has been placed.   Your consultant will take you through the program, answer any questions you may have, and attempt to ensure that your experience with Jenny Craig is a positive one. 

          Calorie counts on Jenny Craig depend on your individual requirements, but the daily calorie level will be at least 1200.  Under the program, you should lose at least a pound a week or one percent of your total weight.  The menus are designed according to the specifications of the Department of Agriculture’s Food Pyramid.  You can select from at least 70 different foods.  The food has received the seal of approval from Jenny Craig’s Medical Advisory Panel. 

          In her autobiography, entitled The Jenny Craig Story, Craig wrote, “When somebody makes a decision to go on a diet…they become almost totally preoccupied with food.  We decided that if we provided the food, it would let the clients focus on their own bodies.”

         According to dieticians at Northwestern University, the Jenny Craig system does have its drawbacks.  For instance, it offers little in the way of fiber, and those who follow the program may not consume enough iron and zinc.  Consequently, the program may be difficult for women of child-bearing age who need a great deal of iron in their diet in order to prevent anemia.  Also, since Jenny Craig supplies the food, clients do not learn how to prepare their own low-calorie meals.  As a result, once you stop using Jenny Craig, you could find your weight skyrocketing upward.   Moreover, Northwestern dieticians say that the company’s counselors have limited training, meaning that the individual consultations with clients are less effective than they could be.  In addition, there’s little in the way of a support network for Jenny Craig clients, since there are no regular support group meetings.  Because nine out of every ten Jenny Craig customers are women, men may not be comfortable taking part.  Jenny Craig’s weight maintenance program is also expensive–$200 a year.  

       Is the Jenny Craig program appropriate for you?  The answer depends largely on your personal preferences.  If you do not want the hassle of having to shop for your own low-fat food, Jenny Craig offers an attractive option.  Also, if you believe in a go-it-alone approach to weight loss, Jenny Craig may be perfectly acceptable.  However, if you want professional weight loss advice, you do not like the idea of buying company food, and you want to meet and talk with other men or women who are trying to lose weight, another program might be more appropriate.   As always, talk at length with your doctor before beginning any serious weight loss program.