Diets That Provide Food

Hundreds of thousands of people die from weight-related illness every year. Nearly two-thirds of adults in America are overweight, and the rate of obesity among children is increasing rapidly. The problem of obesity has spawned a billion dollar weight-loss industry, but many people do not have the time or knowledge to prepare proper portion sizes of nutritionally-balanced meals as part of an effective weight loss program. To address this issue, several companies offer diet plans that include prepared meals delivered directly to the customer's home.

Jenny Craig

• In business for over 30 years, Jenny Craig is one of the most recognizable names in the weight loss, weight maintenance and nutrition industry. Jenny Craig is owned by Nestle, and has over 600 outlets worldwide, most of them in the United States. Customers consult with company nutritional experts to develop an effective diet program. Nutritionally-balanced, appropriately-portioned meals meals are purchased from a local outlet. Jenny Craig diet plans are based on three prepared meals per day, along with fresh fruits and vegetables provided by the customer. Jenny Craig also offers a "Jenny Craig at Home" program featuring telephone consultations and meals ordered and shipped (for an additional charge) from the company website. Jenny Craig offers special diet plans for seniors, teens, and diabetics.

Nutrisystem

• Nutrisystem markets and sells its weight loss products, plans and prepared meals through its website. The Nutrisystem diet is a hybrid plan, combining prepared meals and supplements purchased through the company, and meals prepared by the customer. Customers purchase meal packages for 28 days each month. The prepared meal plans can be prepackaged by Nutrisystem or designed to meet the customer's personal tastes and diet requirements. Nutrisytem also offers on-line support from registered dietitians. Nutrisystems offers foods and meal plans developed especially for men, women, teens, seniors, vegatarians and diabetics.

Medifast

• Medifast claims its customers can lose up to five pounds per week using its products. The plan differs from other program because it does not provide three full meals each day. Medifast provides a variety of small meals such as soups, chili, fruit drinks, and puddings, along with supplements like shakes and nutrition bars. Customers consume five Medifast products every day and supplement the Medifast "meals" with one "lean and green" meal consisting of lean protein and vegetables. The supplemental meal is independently purchased and prepared by the customer. Medifast was developed in 1980 by a doctor, and was originally sold through other doctors, but is now sold mainly over the Internet.

Bistro M.D.

• Bistro M.D.is another diet program developed by doctors and consulting dietitians. Bistro M.D. offers home delivery of high-protein, low-carbohydrate meals throughout the United States. The Bistro M.D. diet tries to avoid dieting "plateaus" that result when the metabolism adapts to a particular diet or caloric intake. Bistro M.D. plans vary the daily caloric intake between 1,100 and 1,400 calories per day, which keeps the metabolism from adapting. Bistro M.D. also provides access to dietitians for consultation.

Exercise is Vital to Weight Management

• Reducing calories alone is not enough to lose weight and maintain weight loss. There is no "magic bullet" diet that guarantees weight loss. The formula is simple: to lose weight, you must burn more calories than you eat. Effective long-term weight loss requires regular exercise combined with a healthy diet plan. Always consult with a physician before embarking on a diet and exercise program.