Compare diets – which one costs the least and works the best?

Compare diets – which one costs the least and works the best?

When you compare diets, you need to compare a variety of factors to find out which diets are the least expensive and are most effective. Many people find that, in order to lose weight, they need some help – often in terms of group support. Some diet companies can charge as much as $5,000 to $10,000 annually between what they charge for food, counseling, exercise equipment, manuals, calorie counters/charts, meetings and DVDs. The obesity rates in the United States and Canada have become a staggering statistic and many people are opting to pay these prices in a desperate attempt to lose weight. It would serve them well to compare diets and pricing before choosing one.

Compare diets – what happens in 3 years?

Research shows that 95 % of people who successfully lose weight gain it all back in three years. More often than not, they gain back MORE weight than they initially lost. After 3 years, the failure rate is even worse. Sadly, if you spent upwards of $10,000 to release the weight this year, and you gain it back, it will cost you that much (or more) to get rid of it again.

Compare diets – let’s look at five.

On Friday, January 8, 2010, Vera Gibbons, the financial contributor for CBS’s “The Early Show” decided to compare diets and find out what the price per pound lost actually was. She looked at five of the most common diets and compared them according to the amount of weight claimed to be lost and the typical cost per month. She then determined a cost per pound ratio in order to compare diets of these five companies.

Weight Watchers

Claim: Lose up to 8 lbs/month
Average cost/month: $716
Works out to cost per pound of $90

Weight Watchers has been around for a very long time and is often referred to as the “AA” of food addicts and overeaters. It encourages portion control, sensible diet and changes in behavior, including exercise and attitude adjustment. It is fairly simple to follow. The average cost of food per month ($716) is acceptable for a commercial diet program, which includes weekly meetings, access to the Weight Watchers website and cost of food. The cost per pound ratio works out to be $90.

Nutrisystem

Claim: Lose up to 8 lbs/month
Average cost/month: $529
Works out to cost per pound of $66

This program is quite different from Weight Watchers. The company provides a selection of pre-packaged, portion controlled meals. There are at least 160 different meals and if you purchase them through Walmart or Costco, they are available at 15% off the retail price. It isn’t necessary to count calories, carbs or points and the meals require no cooking. Meals are delivered to your home. The average cost of food each month is $529, which calculates out to approximately $66 per pound.

Jenny Craig

Claim: Lose up to 8 lbs/month
Average cost/month: $715
Works out to cost per pound of $90

While they advertise 10 weeks for $20, in actuality when you enter the program, the recommend you enroll for $399 plus the cost of food. There is also an annual renewal of $50. The lifetime membership includes supplies, manuals and counseling and allows you to but their food wholesale indefinitely.

The $20 offer requires you to buy the manuals – restaurant guide, weight loss and maintenance.

Jenny Craig Food Daily Costs – Minimum $15-$18
Jenny Craig Food Weekly Costs – Minimum $125 plus costs of groceries such as
fruit, vegetables, dairy.
Jenny Craig Food Monthly Costs – Minimum $500 plus costs of groceries such as
fruit, vegetables, dairy.

The average cost per month is based on the program plus minimum costs for additional required groceries. You eat 3 Jenny Craig meals per day plus snacks.

Atkins

Claim: Lose up to 21 lbs in the first month - after that, 12 lbs per month.
Average cost/month: $948
Works out to cost per pound is $45 in the first month and $79 after.

South Beach Diet

Claim: Lose up to 17 lbs in the first month - after that, 8 lbs per month.
Average cost/month: $818
Works out to cost per pound is $48 in the first month and $102 after.

Both the Atkins and South Beach diets compare at a much higher cost, about $1000 a month. The reason for this is you are purchasing expensive proteins, yet they are a lower price per pound, especially in the first two weeks. The reason for this is that the first two weeks are known as an “induction” period. There is a restrictive ban on certain foods during that period and consequently a greater amount of weight is lost in that two week period.

Compare diets – One that wasn’t on Ms. Gibbons’ list.

One diet that Ms. Gibbons did not include in her diet comparison is the Isagenix Cleansing and Fat Burning System. I am including it here.

Isagenix (Recommended program: 3 – 9 Day Systems)

Claim: Lose up to 20 lbs/month
Average cost/month: $448 (including the cost of 18 400-600 calorie meals from the
grocery store)
Works out to cost per pound of $22.50

Isagenix is not a diet, but a nutritional cleanse system that gently and effectively removes impurities from the body so you are losing fat while retaining lean muscle. It incorporates meal replacement shakes, a cleanse drink and sensible meals (400-600 calories.) It tastes delicious, contains no harmful stimulants or chemicals of any kind and is gluten free. It also comes with a 30 day money back guarantee. Including 18 400 to 600 calories meals from the grocery store, the monthly cost is approximately $448 which works out to about $22.50 per pound.

So now that you have had a chance to compare diets, do a little more research and determine what works best with your lifestyle. But if you need to lose weight, don’t wait – carrying that excess baggage around isn’t doing you any good. Even as little as 10 or 20 extra pounds can put a strain on your heart, your joints and your overall health. Get started right away!