Curious about trying a personalized diet plan? First, let’s consider your options. Every person is different, yet so many diets are the same. Many programs take a general approach to weight loss that’s supposed to work for most people — count your calories, cut your carbs, exercise more — without providing much support. Others hone in on food fads, like celery juice cleanses or the keto diet for a “quick fix.” If you’re tired of getting conflicting weight loss advice, a personalized diet plan might be just what you need to start losing weight. Unlike a generic meal plan that anyone can follow, a custom diet plan takes your unique lifestyle into consideration. If you’re looking to lose weight, consider these five reasons to try a personalized diet plan. 

If you’re ready to start a personalized diet plan, Jenny Craig offers a variety of options to fit your needs. Learn more here. 

1. It's made to set you up for success.

Photo by Jose Soriano on Unsplash

The typical American diet includes excessive amounts of calories in four areas: saturated fats, solid fats and added sugars, sodium, and refined grains, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services,¹ which may contribute to weight gain. Fine-tuning your eating habits with the help of a personalized program may support your weight loss efforts, compared to a standard diet. 

A personalized diet can be more nutritionally balanced to fit your weight loss needs — without forcing you to count calories. It doesn’t need to be restrictive: You should be able to enjoy vegetables, fruit, healthy fats, lean proteins and carbohydrates in the right portions. Each of these food groups includes the nutrients you need to support your goals.

Healthful foods are just one part of the equation — a diet that takes a personalized approach, like Jenny Craig, can also provide a support system during your weight loss journey with the help of a knowledgeable weight loss consultant, mobile app and an online community. 

2. It's full of variety.

If you didn’t like the food that your weight loss program offered, would you want to keep following it? Probably not!

Weight loss starts with making healthy lifestyle choices, but it doesn’t mean you need to give up the foods you love. Following a balanced meal plan that provides you with appropriate portions is at the foundation of healthy weight loss. Jenny Craig’s weight loss program offers several pre-planned menus with over 100 options — everything from delicious entrees and snacks to beverages and desserts — for nutritious meal plans that don’t sacrifice your favorite foods.
With Jenny Craig, you’ll enjoy a variety of different foods that fit your lifestyle. We offer:

• Low-carb options like savory Thai-Style Curry with Cauliflower Rice and Moroccan Spiced Beef Stew
• High-protein options like delicious Beef Teriyaki and Chicken Chili Verde
• Decadent, smartly portioned desserts like rich Chocolate Lava Cake and Triple Chocolate Cheesecake
• Vegetarian options like hearty Creamy Penne with Vegetables and our Broccoli & Cheese Stuffed Potato

Each plan is designed to maximize weight loss and great nutrition with meals you love, from comfort food classics to inspired dishes with global flavors.

3. It’s designed for your lifestyle. 

When you’re busy, time might feel like it’s in short supply. Some personalized diet plans might call for complicated recipes or difficult exercise routines, but who has time for those? Do a little research to find a program that meets your needs and makes losing weight easier, not harder! Here are a few ways to simplify your search:

• Look for a program with healthy pre-made meals. Then, kiss prep work goodbye.
• Find balance. If a diet avoids entire food groups, you probably want to move on. Fruits, vegetables, proteins, carbs and fats can all be good for you — focus on healthy food sources that are served in the right amounts!
• Embrace a support system. Whether you prefer face-to-face weight loss consultations or online ones, your support system can be one of the keys to your success.
• Consider delivery. No time to pick up your food? No problem. Some weight loss plans offer convenient delivery services so you can spend your time the way you like, without being stuck in the kitchen.

4. It works with your body — because not everybody is the same. 

If you’ve tried different weight loss plans before and were disappointed with the results, you might have tried the wrong one! Following a program that works with your body instead of against it can help set you up for success. 

To better understand your body’s ability to lose weight, Jenny Craig’s new DNA Decoder Plan pairs your specific DNA insights with a personalized diet plan to give you an in-depth look at your genetic make-up. The DNA Decoder Plan highlights 15 important DNA markers: how efficiently your body processes carbs, fat and protein; how it handles exercise; and your likelihood of having a sweet tooth, among others — and what you can do about them. You’ll use this knowledge to actively build healthier habits that will help support your weight loss goals.

Update: We have paused our weight loss insights plan for now. In the meantime, stay healthy and check out our new meal delivery options.

5. You may see better results. 

A weight loss plan that’s tailored to fit your needs may result in a better experience, compared to a one-size-fits-all approach. A recent study demonstrated the benefits of personalized nutrition for individuals following the Mediterranean diet. Those who received genetically-based nutrition advice were more effective in improving the foods they ate, compared to those who only received generic advice based on national dietary recommendations.² In a separate study, participants who received DNA-based dietary advice successfully lowered their sodium intakes, compared to those who only received general dietary information.³ 

The best personalized diet plans are tailored to your lifestyle: They offer nutritious versions of foods you enjoy, provide dedicated support to keep you on the right track, and they may even include customized tools to enhance your weight loss knowledge.  

Get started on your weight loss journey with a personalized diet plan from Jenny Craig today.

Sources:

[1] https://www.hhs.gov/fitness/resource-center/facts-and-statistics/index.html

[2] https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/104/2/288/4668538

[3] https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0112665

Stephanie Eng-Aponte

Stephanie Eng-Aponte is a copywriter for Jenny Craig and has written for the health and wellness, tech, and environmental industries. Stephanie graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Media Studies. They employ an “eat first, write later” approach to food blogging and enjoy the occasional Oxford comma. Outside of writing, you can find them photographing a muttley crew of rescue pups, brewing kombucha, or exploring San Diego.

Favorite healthy snack: Green apple slices with sunflower butter

Reviewed by Briana Rodriquez, RDN

Briana is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Personal Trainer for Jenny Craig, based in Carlsbad, California. She is passionate about utilizing food as functional and preventative medicine. Guided by a simplistic and optimistic approach, Briana’s philosophy is to help people improve their health and achieve their goals through the development of sustainable habits to live a healthy life. In her free time, you can find her strength training, indoor cycling, coffee tasting, and at local eateries with her husband and two dogs. 

Favorite healthy snack: peanut butter with celery alongside a grapefruit-flavored sparkling water (so refreshing!)

 

Quote

This article is based on scientific research and/or other scientific articles and was written by an experienced health and lifestyle contributor and fact-checked by Briana Rodriquez, RDN, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at Jenny Craig.

Our goal at Jenny Craig is to provide the most up-to-date and objective information on health-related topics, so our readers can make informed decisions based on factual content. All articles undergo an extensive review process, and depending on topic, are reviewed by a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Nutritionist, to ensure accuracy. 

This article contains trusted sources including scientific, peer-reviewed papers. All references are hyperlinked at the end of the article to take readers directly to the source.