Diet Meal Programs

Many diets are thwarted every year because they do not have the time or energy to keep up with strict diet plans without help. Diet meal programs may be a solution for those who find it difficult to maintain healthy eating on their own. Diet meal programs provide a healthy menu and delivery service to individuals trying to lose weight.

Diet-to-Go

Diet-to-Go is a food delivery service. The program provides customers with their choice of four meal plans: the low-fat diet meal plan, the low-fat vegetarian meal plan, the low-carb diet meal plan, or the low-fat meal plan for diabetics. Each plan is customized to meet the customer's lifestyle and dietary needs. All meal plans provide the customer with five weeks of a variety of food low in fat, sodium and cholesterol. Although the price for this program varies according to the number of meals and snacks per day the customer orders, and the calorie levels in each meal, the average price for a Diet-to-Go meal plan is about $90 per week.

Jenny Craig

Jenny Craig begins its program by assigning each customer with a program director. The customer must first meet with her director, either in person or over the phone, to assess the customer's individual eating style, activity level and weight loss goals. The results of this meeting are used to create a personalized meal program. A menu is prepared and the customer can order her food two or four weeks at a time. Jenny Craig also offers several individualized programs, including programs for teens, men, those with type 2 diabetes and seniors. The cost of a Jenny Craig meal program varies based on several factors, such as what meal plan the customer chooses or what menu items the customer selects. The Jenny Craig website advertises that customers, on average, "spend just a $1 a day more on Jenny's Cuisine than the typical American spends on food."

eDiets

EDiets is a diet meal plan that allows online customers to choose from a variety of freshly prepared meals that are delivered once a week. The meals are delivered in packaging that keeps the meals fresh until they are prepared. Additionally, eDiets provides the customer with a personalized fitness plan designed by personal trainers and live phone support from certified and registered dietitians any time of day. The cost for eDiets as of 2010 was about $18 a month.

Bistro MD

Bistro MD is advertised as a "gourmet diet delivered to your door." Each meal is prepared by a chef and approved by a team of dietitians. A full day's plan includes three meals and two snacks, and usually provides the customer with 1,200 calories a day. However, the caloric intake in each daily meal plan differs upon the height, weight and physical activity of each customer. As of 2010, the cost of a Bistro MD meal program started at $22.85 per day.

Nutrisystem

Nutrisystem allows the customer to either select a 28-day menu or begin with the pre-selected "Favorite Foods Package." The meals are delivered to the customer's home. Plans are broken up into two different programs, men's meal plans and women's meal plans. Within these two programs, the plans are further broken up into the basic, silver, diabetic and vegetarian options. Nutrisystem also provides the customer with an online support system that allows customers to talk to other members about weight loss goals and struggles. Nutrisystem costs about $3 per meal.