Diet Programs And Menus - The Jenny Craig Diet by Levi Reiss

The Jenny Craig Diet dates back to 1985. Today there are centers in North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Dieters work with a nutritional counselor who aids them in determining personal weight loss objectives. In general dieters will eat smaller meals, enabling them to burn calories more efficiently. This diet is rich in fruits and vegetables. Here are some of the principles.

Start by meeting with your consultant who will identify with you your nutritional habits and your aptitude for losing weight. You'll be weighed and measured, and will obtain a personal daily program containing detailed menus with calorie counts. You meet with your consultant privately once a week. During the first four weeks each meeting focuses on one subject including food, taking care of your body, and exercise. On the fifth week your program will be reevaluated if necessary. Before actually starting the diet, you get used to the meals by introducing them slowly. Your consultant may show you healthy cooking techniques. Your meals contain mostly fruits, vegetables, light dairy products, whole grains, and healthy cooking oils. You may also eat lean meat, poultry, fish, green beans, eggs, and nuts. Avoid foods containing high levels of cholesterol or sodium, sugary supplements, and saturated fats. Many of the foods are prepared by Jenny Craig, Inc. Practice a sport as determined with the help of your consultant. Take on a more active lifestyle.

A major advantage of the Jenny Craig Diet is the personal trainer who provides psychological as well as nutritional support. You'll acquire good eating habits, and eat a wide variety of permitted foods. Disadvantages include the cost, perhaps $80 a week for the food itself. You may not care for the program's food.

Here are two sample menus:

Menu 1

Breakfast: Oatmeal and honey breakfast bar. Tea or coffee.

The mid-morning snack is a yogurt.

Lunch: Burritos with beans and cheese. Green salad.

The mid-afternoon snack is a glass of soy milk.

Supper: Veal parmigiana. Green peas. Carrots. The evening snack is fruit salad.

Menu 2

Breakfast: Oatmeal porridge and peaches. Skim milk. Tea or coffee.

The mid-morning snack is a muesli bar.

Lunch: A spinach and ricotta turnover. Lettuce and tomato salad.

The mid-afternoon snack is a peach.

Supper: Beef lasagna. The evening snack is a chocolate mousse.

Some information in this article comes from a fascinating new book, La Bible des Regimes, written by Jenny de Jonquieres and published by Amerik Media. Her book describes over 80 diets and weight reduction programs. Each diet is presented with 5 menu plans, a detailed discussion of its advantages and disadvantages, and a whole lot more. La Bible des Regimes is presently available only in French.