Prepared Meals Diet

If you're constantly on the go but still need to shed a few pounds, a prepared-meal diet plan may be right for you. There is no carbohydrate, protein or calorie counting, and everything is ready to eat in minutes. Many people have seen success following a prepared-meal diet plan, and several popular celebrities have been on television touting the amazing results.

Plan Types

• Plenty of companies have jumped on the prepared-meal plan, so distinguishing programs may seem difficult. In essence, all plans have the same goal---to help you lose weight without having to count calories.

  Programs such as Nutri-System and Jenny Craig offer packaged meals and support for a monthly fee, plus meal cost. Select a meal plan, such as a 28-day plan in which you can select your pre-packaged breakfasts, lunches and dinners along with approved snacks. Everything you eat during the program comes from that company. These plans also provide meal trackers, home meal delivery, diet plans and personal consultants to help you on your weight loss journey.

  Another way to lose weight on the prepared-meal plan is a do-it-yourself approach. Lean Cuisine, Weight Watchers and South Beach, to name a few, have created calorie- and portion-controlled meal plans that are available in the freezer section of your local grocery store. It's up to you to track the number of calories you eat per day, and there is no outside support or consulting. However, there is no monthly membership fee, and your only cost is for the meals.

Benefits

• One of the most attractive benefits to a prepackaged meal plan is that you don't have to think or worry about counting calories, carbs or portions. All of these programs, from do-it-yourself frozen meals to weight loss clubs, offer premade meals complete with calorie and nutritional count.

  Prepackaged meals come in many varieties designed to meet the tastes and needs of just about anyone. You also can eat some of your favorite foods on this meal plan such as pizza, macaroni and cheese, and chocolate cake. Everything is portioned and created to fit into your weight loss plan.

  In addition to calories and fat, all meals come complete with nutrition information, so you can fulfill your vitamin and mineral needs eating prepackaged foods.

Drawbacks

• One of the biggest drawbacks is the cost. Some of the membership programs can become extremely expensive between monthly fees and food cost. Even if you purchase food from your local grocer, some frozen prepackaged meals can cost $5 or more.

  Many prepackaged meals also are high in sodium, which can cause you to gain weight due to water retention. High sodium content also contributes to high blood pressure and heart conditions.

  Once you've lost the weight on a prepackaged meal plan and go back to your regular diet, you are more likely to gain it back unless you learn healthy eating habits.