Frequently Asked Questions

Client Questions

Here you'll find answers to many of the questions we hear from Jenny Craig clients.

Q.
I am following my Jenny Craig menus and finding it difficult to eat all the foods. What can I do?
A.

You may be feeling more full due to the higher fiber content of the menus. Substituting some lower fiber-containing foods into your menus may help until you adjust to the change. For example, ½ cup cooked vegetables or ½ cup low-sodium vegetable juice can be substituted for one cup raw vegetables. Or, one slice whole-wheat bread can be replaced with three graham cracker squares, two bread sticks, or ½ cup rice.

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Q.
I am following my Jenny Craig menus and finding I am still hungry. What can I do?
A.

Substituting some more higher-fiber foods into your menu may help until you adjust to your lower calorie level. For example, use raw vegetables instead of cooked, use raw whole fruit instead of canned fruit and use bulk whole grains such as rolls instead of crackers or breadsticks. You can also take advantage of the Free Foods list and add items such as vegetables, bouillon and sugar-free gelatin to your menu.

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Q.
The Jenny Craig menu includes nonfat milk everyday, but I can't tolerate milk. What can I do?
A.

If you can't tolerate milk, then try one of these ideas:

  • Have an Anytime Bar
  • Divide one cup milk into two ½-cup servings
  • Buy lactose reduced milk
  • Substitute one cup nonfat yogurt/buttermilk/soy milk
  • Substitute one ounce low fat cheese or lean meat*, two egg whites* or ½ cup tofu*

*To meet your calcium needs, be sure to take your MultiPlus Supplements. (MultiPlus and Anytime Bar available in the US only.)

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Q.
Can I switch my dinner and lunch meals?
A.

Feel free to switch your meals to match your own personal tastes. However, keep in mind that eating smaller, more frequent meals may help you to feel more satisfied throughout the day. To minimize hunger and maximize energy, you may want to eat every three to four hours.

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Q.
What if I don't care for one of the grocery foods on my menu?
A.

Any food not listed in boldfaced type on your menu may easily be traded for another in the same food group. See the Jenny's Grocery List for alternative choices or ask your Consultant for suggestions. For example, if you don't like low fat cottage cheese then refer to the lower-fat meat list for another meat that you prefer.

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Q.
The Jenny Craig menu includes low-fat cheese, and I don't like low-fat cheese. Is there anything else I can have instead?
A.

The low fat cheese on your menu counts as a meat serving; therefore, you can substitute another meat serving for the cheese. Here are some meat serving ideas:

  • one ounce lean chicken, turkey or fish
  • ¼ cup low fat cottage cheese*
  • one cup soy milk
  • two egg whites*
  • ½ cup beans* (counts as one lean meat + starch serving)
  • ½ cup tofu*

*To meet your calcium needs, be sure to take your MultiPlus Supplements (available in the US only).

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Q.
How many calories are there in a free food?
A.

A free food is any food or drink that contains less than 25 calories. Refer to Jenny's Grocery List for ideas.

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Q.
What is a garden salad?
A.

A garden salad is one cup of your favorite assorted, chopped vegetables on a bed of shredded lettuce, mixed greens, or spinach. As with all of your vegetable choices, eat across the rainbow (red/yellow/green/orange) for a spectrum of nutrients.

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Q.
What if I don't want salad?
A.

You can substitute sliced raw vegetables (great for dipping in Jenny's Dressing), stir-fried raw vegetables in a teaspoon of olive oil, or find alternative recipes for a vegetable and a fat serving in the Jenny Craig cookbooks. Remember, it's okay to have extra non-starchy vegetables because they're free.

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Q.
Once I start preparing some of my own meals, how do I know what a proper portion size is?
A.

First, visualize your Jenny Craig meals since they are intentionally designed to model correct portion sizes. For a fun and easy way to remember portion sizes, check out the visual cues for portion sizes on Jenny's Grocery List. For example, did you know that one-half cup of cooked vegetables is about the size of a half an orange?

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Q.
Can I change Consultants?
A.

Yes, if you feel that another Consultant may be better suited to meet your needs, just call the Local Centre. We're here to help you succeed. Your Consultant serves as coach, confidante, and motivator, so it's important to be comfortable with your Consultant.

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