You've probably heard of most of them like Jenny Craig, promoted by Valerie Bertinelli or Nutrisystem with Marie Osmond. The major difference between the two programs is that Jenny Craig requires a contract for a membership as well as payment for the food. Counseling is provided by Jenny Craig. There is no contract with Nutrisystem and no counseling. Here's how to lose weight with prepackaged food programs.
You will receive prepackaged foods for breakfast, lunch and
dinner. Some programs also include snacks. You add fresh diary and produce. The
meals are balanced to provide all the nutrients you need and are low fat and
low calorie so you lose weight as long as you stay on the program and don't
cheat.
A variation of the prepackaged food program are the meal replacement
programs. You consume a prepared drink or snack bar to replace breakfast and
lunch and consume a normal low fat dinner.
The advantages of the prepackaged food programs is that you
don't have to think. You know what you can have. There are no decisions to be
made. No carb counting. No calorie counting. The products have simplified diet
programs. If you live a busy life and don't particularly like to cook these
programs may be for you.
The disadvantages include the expense of the program. The
prepackaged meals are not cheap. Another
disadvantage, at least in the beginning, is the shock of the small portions. Some
participants recommend adding additional steamed veggies and salads to bulk up
the menu. That's somewhat counter productive as one of the program's benefits
is to train yourself to recognize what a portion is.
If you prepare the
meals for your family you might find it tempting to make dinner for them and
then you have only your prepackaged dinner. The reality is that you will most
likely eat your packaged dinner and a portion of your family's dinner. Of course if your significant other needs to
lose weight as well and is willing to join you on your weight loss program, you
could both have the prepackaged foods.
A final disadvantage is that once you go off the program you
may quickly return to your old eating habits because you aren't used to making
healthy eating choices. All the choices were made for you.
