South Beach Diet VS Jenny Craig Comparison

UPDATED Dec. 2024
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No one understands how important it is to choose the right meal delivery service better than we do. That is why we are here to help you make the best possible choice. While both Jenny Craig and South Beach Diet offer delicious dishes and rather flexible subscriptions, there is much more to be considered before you make the final call. This Jenny Craig VS South Beach Diet comparison allows you to get to know these companies better, discover their greatest advantages and shortcomings, and of course, find out which one provides a bit higher quality of service.

Jenny Craig
Fully Personalized Weight Loss Solution
VS
South Beach Diet
Healthy & Affordable Weight Loss Program

Highlights

Jenny Craig
With Jenny Craig weight loss meal delivery service, you can lose up to 16 pounds in a month with the help of a dedicated personal consultant and delicious, chef-crafted diet meals.
  • Price Range: $$$
  • Average Price Per Meal: $15.00
  • Shipping Cost: $29.00
  • Delivery Area: 50 states
South Beach Diet
South Beach Diet promises to help you lose weight quickly and easily by enjoying its healthy, low-carb meals and snacks that are available at excellent prices.
  • Price Range: $$
  • Average Price Per Meal: $10.71
  • Shipping Cost: $0
  • Delivery Area: 50 states

Compare Features

Jenny Craig
Best For
Best for dieters who lack motivation
Menu/Meal Plans
Jenny Craig offers 2 meal programs: the 12-week trial program and the 12-month Premium program.
Recipes/Meal Options
Jenny Craig has more than 100 diet items in its offer.
Meal & Recipe Variety
Jenny Craig offers diet breakfasts, lunches, dinners, desserts, snacks, shakes, bars, soups, and veggie sides. It is suitable for omnivores and diabetics, has a limited selection of vegetarian dishes, and features few gluten-free options. It offers a vast range of low-calorie, low-fat, and low-sodium meals.
Food Quality
Although Jenny Craig does not offer precise information on ingredient sourcing, it does claim that all of its meals meet the USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Plus, its meals contain less sodium and fat than most other prepackaged meals.
Nutritional Value & Portion Size
With Jenny Craig, the average daily calorie intake ranges from 1,200 to 2,300 calories, depending on current weight, level of physical activity, and weight goals. A single meal contains between 200 and 380 calories. The portions are small, but you get to eat 6 times a day. The meals are nutritionally balanced and created by accredited practicing dietitians.
Subscription Flexibility
Jenny Craig subscription can be canceled by contacting the support staff via phone, email or snail mail.
Refunds
For information on Jenny Craig's refund policy, please consult your Jenny Craig contract or get in touch with the support staff via phone or email.
South Beach Diet
Best For
Best for dieters looking for a healthy and budget-friendly weight loss meal delivery
Menu/Meal Plans
South Beach Diet offers a single standard menu and 3 meal plans, including Silver, Gold, and Platinum.
Recipes/Meal Options
The South Beach Diet menu includes 21 breakfasts, 49 entrees, and a dozen of snacks.
Meal & Recipe Variety
South Beach diet offers low-carb, high-protein breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks. Its menu includes shelfish-free and wheat-free items, as well as several gluten-free items. It offers a number of vegetarian-friendly meals and is suitable for diabetics.
Food Quality
South Beach Diet uses healthy, wholesome, nutrient-dense ingredients free from artificial colors and flavors. Its meals are low in added sugars and have reduced sodium content.
Nutritional Value & Portion Size
South Beach Diet offers doctor-designed, portion-controlled meals low in carbs and rich in lean protein and healthy fats. Its meals do not contain refined carbs but instead include good carbs from vegetables, fruit, and whole grains. The portions are not large, but you get to eat 6 times a day.
Subscription Flexibility
South Beach Diet offers a 35% discount and free shipping to customers who opt for automatic deliveries. However, if you cancel your subscription before you pay for your second shipment, you will be charged $125 for the discount received upon your first shipment. After your second shipment, you are free to cancel your subscription at any time, with no extra charges.
Refunds
South Beach Diet does not offer returns or refunds.

Compare Plans & Pricing

Jenny Craig
Jenny Craig Plans & Pricing
The trial program
Costs per monthEnrollment fee
$390
The Premium program
Costs per monthEnrollment fee
$19$99
South Beach Diet
South Beach Diet Plans & Pricing
Simple
ForPricePrice per day
Men and women$99.99$3.57
Silver
ForPricePrice per day
Women$289.99$10.36
Men$329.99$11.79
Gold
ForPricePrice per day
Women$329.99$11.79
Men$359.99$12.86
Platinum
ForPricePrice per day
Women$359.99$12.86
Men$389.99$13.93

Suitable For

Jenny Craig
Meals For Families
Meals For Kids
Meals For Seniors
Meals For One
South Beach Diet
Meals For Families
Meals For Kids
Meals For Seniors
Meals For One

Compare Meal Options

Jenny Craig
Vegetarian Meals
Vegan Meals
Paleo Meals
Keto Meals
Low-Carb Meals
Low-Fat Meals
Meals For Diabetics
Gluten-Free Meals
Organic Meals
Weight Loss Meals
South Beach Diet
Vegetarian Meals
Vegan Meals
Paleo Meals
Keto Meals
Low-Carb Meals
Low-Fat Meals
Meals For Diabetics
Gluten-Free Meals
Organic Meals
Weight Loss Meals

Compare Sample Meals

Jenny Craig
South Beach Diet

Compare Extras

Jenny Craig
A La Carte Menu
Gift Cards
Marketplace
South Beach Diet
A La Carte Menu
Gift Cards
Marketplace

Compare Ratings

Jenny Craig
FINAL RATING
9.0/10
Meal Options
Variety
Nutritional Value
Portion Size
Flexibility
Price
South Beach Diet
FINAL RATING
9.6/10
Meal Options
Variety
Nutritional Value
Portion Size
Flexibility
Price

Compare Customer Reviews

Jenny Craig
  • Submitted By Lisa Ryan on 10/05/2019
    You’re better off going to a local Jenny Craig supplier to pick up your food. Jenny Craig Anywhere, with online shipping, have controlling and overbearing consultants. They try to force you to buy food that you don’t want, in order to just get the regular food that you do want. Truly, I often felt like I was dealing with people trained by Aunt Lydia. They are not female friendly. Multiple times their management has told me the problem was corrected, and each time I tried to place an order I faced the very same struggle. Control freaks. If I want to buy the dress, I shouldn’t be forced to buy the shoes and hat. The program works. The food is pretty good. But don’t put yourself through the difficulty of trying to purchase what you want through JC Anywhere, which is pretty costly to begin with, when you can go to a local JC store and deal with reasonable and respectful people.
  • Submitted By Jillian Ballard on 09/27/2019
    I am a busy, professional, single mom of two. I decided to do Jenny Craig after researching other pre-prepared food diet plans and was talked into signing up for an "auto-ship" plan where I essentially paid for a whole month of food up front that would be sent to me in two two-week shipments. I was excited to get my food which all looked really good. I started on a Friday, and weighed myself everyday, took my measurements like my coach told me. The food all tasted good enough, but i started to notice very quickly that my stomach was becoming more and more unsettled as i stayed on plan. Lots of gas (my four year old liked to comment on it), and lots of afternoon runs to the office bathroom. I started googling for whether this was a common occurrence and read many reports of "high fiber" and therefore chalked it up to my body adjusting. It got worse and worse each day. By the time my consultant called the following friday for my week one check in, I had gained a pound and (how I wish I were joking) almost pooped my pants several times during the week. I explained that all to her and asked if that was normal - which, clearly, it wasn't . She suggested I see a doctor, and suggested I talk with customer service in order to try to get a refund for my second two week order as it was supposed to ship out in a few days. I spoke with customer service and a manager and was informed that despite having spent over $600 with them for one month's worth of food, and despite the food making me physically sick, there was nothing they could do and that I could not have a refund what so ever and that they would be shipping my food regardless. RUN, do not walk, AWAY FROM JENNY CRAIG. Terrible customer service, even when their product clearly does not work for you. So much fine print to wade through they just want to take your money.
  • Submitted By Oregon Granny on 06/21/2019
    In order to receive free shipping you must order a full 4 weeks of food. The food is shipped in 2-2week boxes. When placing the order I had items removed because I don't like them. When I received to first 2 week box the items had not been replaced. I requested the second 2 week box be reviewed to assure the same error s had not been made. I was told so sad too bad, no changes are allowed even if we made the error.
  • Submitted By lawrence on 02/03/2019
    I was on Jenny Craig for 5 years ago and hit the weight loss goals I had set. I continued to get message and offers from them to come back. So the new year arrived and I set some goal to loose a few pounds. Jenny Craig offered me 200.00 dollars off of membership and so I went back. It was funny that really nothing much had changed in the meals except they don't have meals in the red sauce that can survive at room temperature on the shelf. So I went in weighed in and after spending 176.00 I had my affirmations ready to shed some weight. When I got home I was wondering how the frozen meals compared to grocery store meals so I looked at my Invoice. There was a total charge but no itemization. That was a bummer... strike 1 I have been getting some frozen lean meals at the grocery store and when I compared the calories, carbs, sugars and fats. The Jenny Craig meals were the same or slightly higher and the taste was not as good. strike 2 About the third day I realized that this was not for me ( strike 3) with so many healthy and fresh non frozen choices available today I opted to move my diet business elsewhere. I feel the Jenny Craig business model is similar to Yellow Cab slow to change and not concerned with customer service and value. We all saw how Uber radically changed this market. I am confident that for the price I paid there is a service that is better suited for my goals. So in short I am not a fan.
South Beach Diet
  • Submitted By Kathy O on 03/27/2019
    Highly processed food with lots of sodium and super spicy, even breakfast. Get ready for major heartburn. Lost a pound during first week but did not feel healthy. The prepared meals stray from the original concept of the plan. And beware, $125 cancellation charge.
  • Submitted By Tim on 01/31/2019
    The food is disgusting. I've tried Nutrisystem their food is very tasty and I successful lost weight. On the first day eating South Beach Diet the meals tasted bad, it gave me indigestion and tasted like chemicals. They have a no refund or return policy, which I understand . I called to after 1 day to cancel the auto-delivery and they said they would charge me a $125 cancellation fee. As stated in their policy "as you agreed when placing your order". My guess is they have had people try to cancel the subscription after the first food delivery so they discount that order and then charge you $125 once you realize the food is disgusting. I'm going back to Nutrisystem and I suggest you try it too.
  • Submitted By Stephanie on 08/31/2018
    The food is disgusting and the portions are TINY. The meals are packed with sodium. I called to cancel after 2 weeks and they charged me a $125 cancellation fee. What a rip off.
  • Submitted By Ellie Roberts on 02/14/2018
    The meals are boring and I lost just 3 pounds in 2 weeks, not what I expected.

Winner

South Beach Diet meal delivery allows you to reap the benefits of a low-carb, high-protein diet that can transform your body while keeping you full all day long. It provides tasty, ready-made meals and snacks made of wholesome ingredients and designed to help you get in the best shape of your life. Discover more details in our South Beach Diet review.

* All the prices on this website are subject to change without notice. While we put a great deal of effort into making sure that all the prices are accurate, one or more products may have outdated prices. Please visit the specific product’s official website for exact prices.
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