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South Beach DietOptifastL.A. Weight LossJenny CraigQuick Weight Loss Centers WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT THE DIET TERESA WILLIAMS "The diet wasn't like, 'You can't have bread. You can't have pizza.' So I don't feel deprived." HOWARD FUCHS "The chocolate shake tastes like Yoo-hoo. It was like drinking five Yoo-hoos a day!" SHARLA PINCOCK & COURTNEY DAWSON Pincock liked "that I could cook my own food," while Dawson says, "I can eat on every work break!" AMANDA WHITE "I had my Jenny menu in my office. If it said 'half an apple,' then that's it—half an apple." MARY JANE SEKITO "I had a great counselor who was really motivating and knew how to break past plateaus." HOW IT WORKS Est. cost $20 per month Emphasizes "good" carbs and fats For the first two weeks, dieters eat mostly lean meats and veggies, while sugars and starches—even fruit—are banned in an attempt to eliminate cravings. After, "good carbs" like whole grains and fruits are added back and low-sugar desserts are allowed. Est. cost $400 per month A low-calorie, mostly liquid diet A doctor creates a plan of Optifast meal-replacement foods, then monitors your progress weekly. (These visits cost extra.) After 12 weeks, regular foods are added back. Est. cost $28 per month Small meals every three hours During a series of one-on-one meetings, a counselor creates a daily menu of five to six small meals, such as oatmeal and raspberries for breakfast and celery with peanut butter as a snack. In addition, clients are asked to keep a food diary and attend weekly weigh-ins. Est. cost $37 per month Portion control A weight-loss consultant calculates what your weekly caloric intake should be. You eat mostly prepackaged Jenny Craig food, which costs an additional $12 to $15 per day. Weekly weigh-ins and meetings with a consultant are encouraged. Est. cost $54 per month Balanced meals and dietary supplements Clients meet regularly with a counselor who places them on a daily plan of 1,200 to 1,600 calories using grocery-store food. Dietary supplements (which can run an extra $60 a month) are taken up to twice a day.
