Jenny Craig is one of the largest weight management companies in the world. The Jenny Craig program began in 1983 in Australia and started U.S. operations in 1985. The company became a part of Nestl in 2006. Jenny Craig is headquarters are located in Carlsbad, California. Members follow a diet of prepackaged, pre-planned food from Jenny Craig's line of frozen and dry foods along with store-bought items like dairy and vegetables.

Jenny Craig has franchised weight loss centers with a choice of weight loss programs, counselors, and packaged food. Members pay different levels of subscription for varying levels of support. The support is to help members eat food in healthy portions, not so much limiting what foods you eat, rather focusing on how much you eat. Daily exercise and a balanced, healthy view of self are a large part of the weight loss program.

How does the Jenny Craig diet work? The diet program starts with a visit to one of their weight loss centers and talking with a counselor. There usually have a special deal so you will most likely take the deal on sale. You buy the appropriate packaged foods from Jenny Craig, and come back for weekly weigh ins and counseling to help you with any problems staying on the diet.

The Jenny Craig diet programs involve learning the basis of good nutrition, how to look at foods, and what they are composed of. Dieters learn how to eat out and not sacrifice the weight loss and the good nutritional habits that you have developed. This can help you make better food choices and lose weight. Jenny Craig members can talk to a dietician, and receive advice at any of the centers across the country. Jenny Craig diet programs stress exercise alongside a good eating plan. Regular exercise will aid in the weight loss, and the body will grow stronger and healthier in at the same time. You can discuss your issues when it comes to exercise and counselors will develop an exercise program to fit just about anyone.

Membership doesn't include the cost of food, which can become expensive. You meet with your nutritional consultant on a weekly basis to discuss your progress and pick up any food you need for the week. A counselor is an option that some people need to make losing weight fast and easy. The weight loss motivation at Jenny Craig gives members the food education to eat healthy after the weight is lost. The goal of the Jenny Craig plan is to help members change their eating habits so that they can maintain their weight goal without relying on pre packaged food, pre-planned menus and consultations. It is not cost effective to continue paying for Jenny Craig meals once you have learned to fix healthy meals yourself. Fixing meals yourself is important to maintaining weight loss for the rest of your life.

The website has hundreds of recipes, which can be searched by meal type, cooking time and occasion. The website also has user testimonials with their before-and-after photos, and a variety of member services. There is a great online resource called eTools, with a diet planer and journal to track your progress. You'll also receive regular newsletters and tips by way of email.