Which is better, Jenny Craig or Nutrisystem? If you’re looking for the best meal-delivery diet to meet your weight loss goals, then Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem are probably at the top of your list. Both of these diets are structured, convenient, low-calorie programs that are popular with busy people. However, Jenny Craig includes a weight loss consultant and is much more expensive.
But, which diet is better? Although neither one of these diets is truly “best” for everyone, we did some research to help you decide which might be best for you. Let’s compare these two heavyweight (or, lightweight?) meal-delivery diets to help decide which is better for you.
Nutrisystem vs. Jenny Craig: Comparison | Differences | Cost Comparison | Ratings | Weight Loss Results | Which is Better?
Diet Comparison:
About Nutrisystem:
Nutrisystem is all about convenience and delivers nutritious prepared meals to your door every month. Here’s how real customers say it makes their lives easier.
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About Jenny Craig:
“The weight loss consultant is 50% of the equation”. Jenny Craig combines chef-crafted meals with the one-on-one support of a weight-loss consultant to get real, sustainable results. However, that personal attention comes at a steep price. Here’s why Jenny Craig thinks they are better than Nutrisystem:
While the actual monthly membership to Jenny Craig is low, the real cost of the diet is in the prepared food which can be quite expensive. In fact, the expensive price is the biggest complaint in customer reviews for Jenny Craig.
Nutrisystem vs Jenny Craig Differences:
What is the difference between Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig? Essentially Jenny Craig includes a weight loss consultant for more in-person support but costs a lot more than Nutrisystem.
Here are 5 key differences between Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig:
- Meal delivery options: Nutrisystem is primarily a meal delivery service that delivers pre-packaged meals to your doorstep. In contrast, Jenny Craig offers in-person or virtual consultations with a personal consultant who designs a meal plan based on your preferences and provides support throughout the program.
- Cost: The cost of Nutrisystem varies depending on the plan you choose, but it generally costs between $9 and $13 per day. In contrast, Jenny Craig is more expensive, with an average cost of $20+ per day.
- Food choices: Nutrisystem offers a wide variety of pre-packaged meals, snacks, and shakes, with options for those with dietary restrictions such as diabetes. Jenny Craig offers a similar variety of pre-packaged meals but also allows for some flexibility in meal planning and includes more fresh food options.
- Exercise program: Nutrisystem offers an exercise program, but it is not as comprehensive as the one provided by Jenny Craig. Jenny Craig provides customized exercise plans based on your fitness level and goals.
- Support system: Both Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig offer support systems, but they differ in their approach. Nutrisystem provides online support through its website and app while Jenny Craig includes a personal consultant who provides emotional support and guidance.
Jenny Craig vs Nutrisystem Cost:
I really like my Honda, but it would be nice to have a new Cadillac. Think of Nutrisystem as the Honday, and Jenny Craig as the “Cadillac” of meal-delivery diets. In other words, Jenny Craig costs almost twice as much as Nutrisystem!
Here’s a comparison of Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem costs:
- Jenny Craig: You pay a one-time $99 enrollment fee plus a total cost of $450-700+ per month plus supplemental groceries!
- Nutrisystem: Most of the cost of being on Nutrisystem is in the plan you choose, with menu variety like frozen foods costing more. The cost of Nutrisystem is $300-400 per month plus groceries.
Since Jenny Craig is twice the price of Nutrisystem it must be rated much higher, right? That’s actually not the case. Here’s a comparison of Nutrisystem versus Jenny Craig’s ratings.
1. Nutrisystem vs Jenny Craig Ratings:
U.S. News asked a panel of diet and health experts to rate Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig on a number of important factors. Here how the two diets compare head to head:
As you can see, Jenny Craig was ranked almost the same Nutrisystem. However, Nutrisystem was ranked higher for convenience while Jenny Craig edged out Nutrisystem for healthiness.
Tip: If you are just looking for the monthly delivery of healthy heat-and-eat food, consider Factor Meals.
3. Nutrisystem Versus Jenny Craig Weight Loss Results:
If you are comparing any two diets, look beyond short-term weight loss results because long-term sustainable weight loss is more important. If you aren’t changing your behavior, you’re probably going to gain the weight back. Diets like Noom also stress that you must also address the psychological component of weight loss.
Here’s how much weight you can expect to lose on Jenny Craig versus Nutrisystem:
Both Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig state that you’ll lose about 1-2 pounds per week on their diet. They are both rated highly for short-term weight loss, but not rated highly for long-term weight loss.
Why are both diets rated relatively low for long-term weight loss? It seems that customers can tire of food restrictions and cheat or quit as a result. That’s presumably why rival diets like WW and Noom have no menu restrictions.
Nutrisystem vs. Jenny Craig: Which Diet Is Better?
Nutrisystem is known for its convenient and easy-to-follow meal delivery service, which takes the guesswork out of meal planning and preparation. Nutrisystem costs significantly less than Jenny Craig, making it accessible to more people who are looking for a cost-effective weight loss solution.
On the other hand, Jenny Craig offers personalized support through in-person or virtual consultations with a personal consultant who designs a meal plan based on your preferences and provides emotional support and accountability throughout the program. The program includes more fresh food options and a more comprehensive exercise program, which may be more appealing to some people who prefer a more hands-on approach to weight loss.
Ultimately, if price is no object the choice between Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig depends on individual preferences and needs. It’s essential to consider factors such as budget, food preferences, level of support, and exercise routine when deciding which program is the best fit for your lifestyle and weight loss goals.
Having said that, Jenny Craig is not in my budget, so my personal opinion is that Nutrisystem is better.
Nutrisystem Versus Jenny Craig In Review…
Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig have similar ratings but different levels of support.
The biggest difference between the two diets is that Jenny Craig includes a weight-loss consultant resulting in a much higher monthly price.
If you are considering Nutrisystem versus Jenny Craig, we have exclusive promo codes here for up to $25 off plus free food.
If you think that a meal-delivery diet isn’t right for your lifestyle and personality, then we can recommend two highly rated and popular app-based diets: Weight Watchers (coupons) and Noom (free trial).
Good luck with whichever diet you choose. Remember to talk to your doctor or healthcare provider before making any drastic changes in your diet or fitness routine.
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