9 of the best commercial diets 2022

This article provides an overview of commercial diets, how they work, and alternatives. It also explores nine commercial diet plans in more detail.

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Typically, people following commercial diets track their daily calorie intake and periodically weigh themselves to monitor their progress. With some commercial diets, participants receive support from health coaches and peer support groups. Many commercial diets also deliver preprepared meals and snacks.

It is important to note that most commercial diets are not meant for long-term use. A person should speak with their doctor to plan how to maintain a healthy diet and prevent rapid weight gain after they finish a commercial diet.

A recent review suggests that healthcare professionals may consider recommending some commercial diets to their patients with obesity. However, researchers have not studied all commercial diets. Therefore, when choosing a commercial diet, a person should speak with their doctor or dietitian to ensure the diet is suitable for them.

We explore nine commercial diets in further detail below.

WW (Weight Watchers Reimagined)

For lower budgets

The new WW PersonalPoints system helps dieters monitor their food intake. This system gives foods a point value based on their calorie, fiber, fat, sugar, and protein content. People attempt to limit their intake to a prescribed number of points each day. The reimagined plan includes additional ZeroPoint food options.

In addition, the program includes an updated, award-winning app, meditations, audio workouts, and in-person or online support. The company has 3,000 studio locations throughout the United States.

New members pay a $20 joiner fee. There are currently four subscription options:

• Digital: starting from $10 per month for the first 3 months
• Digital 360: starting from $10 per month for the first 3 months
• Unlimited Workshops + Digital: starting from $10 per month for the first 3 months, in participating locations
• 1-on-1 Coaching + Digital: starting from $47.97 per month

Jenny Craig

For frozen meals

Jenny Craig helps dieters control calorie and fat intake as well as portion size. It also emphasizes the importance of physical activity and behavior modification to manage weight.

Each plan includes a personalized diet and exercise routine. The company delivers frozen, preprepared meals to a person’s home.

The Jenny Craig app offers a wireless bodyweight scale, progress tracking, digital coaching, and recipes to its members.

Currently available plans include:

• Simple Meal Plan: breakfast and lunch for $12.99 per day
• Essential Meal Plan: breakfast, lunch, and dinner for $20.78 per day
• Max-up Weight Loss Plan: breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, recharge bars, personal coaching, and more for $22.52 per day

The company offers full refunds to those not satisfied with their first order.

Noom

For personalized daily lessons

Noom is an app-based dieting platform that applies behavioral psychology theories to help people develop self-awareness and build better eating habits. The app includes a food tracker, an exercise log, a step tracker, recipes, articles, and quizzes.

New users answer a short questionnaire explaining their motivations, habits, and health concerns. The Noom app then generates a personalized plan based on the information provided and matches users with a coach and support team.

The Noom program helps dieters identify their true motivation then encourages them to focus on the caloric density of foods. Noom labels each food as green, yellow, or red based on its caloric density. No food is off-limits, but the program provides strategies to manage cravings.

Noom subscription starts from $60 per month for a 1-month subscription.

Nutrisystem

For 7-day coach availability

Nutrisystem offers a free diet analysis followed by recommendations for a nutritionist-designed eating plan. People following Nutrisystem plans access online tracking and support services through the NuMi app.

The company also offers supplements and personal weight loss coaching.

Nutrisystem’s meal delivery system provides low calorie, portion-controlled, prepackaged meals.

The company offers a range of customizable plans, including plans for people with diabetes and vegetarians. Prices start from $9.99 per day.

The company also offers a 14-day money-back guarantee.

OPTAVIA

For 6 smaller meals per day

OPTAVIA is a health and wellness company that offers food products and diet programs. It also offers support from health coaches and access to a support community.

However, people should consider that the OPTAVIA diet exceeds the daily recommended protein intake.

OPTAVIA plans include:

• Optimal Weight 5 & 1
• Optimal Weight 4 & 2 & 1
• Optimal Health 3 & 3

Kits start from $428.20 for an Essential Optimal Kit (5 & 1 Plan) with 119 servings. OPTAVIA bases pricing on individual products and kits.

Zone Diet

For reducing diet-induced inflammation

This diet aims to balance macronutrients to manage hormones that may cause inflammation. It focuses on balancing carbohydrates, protein, and fat for each meal or snack, using Zone Food Blocks.

Zone dieters eat three meals and two snacks per day. No meal exceeds 400 calories.

The diet encourages the consumption of healthy proteins, low fat dairy, and tofu. In terms of carbohydrates, Zone dieters should choose those with a low glycemic index. They should also eat at least once every 5 hours.

People can join the online Zone Diet community for free. The Zone Diet website offers some products that align with its dietary standards. A box of 10 Zone Diet bars costs around $35.95. Four bags of pasta cost $59.95.

HMR Program

For deliveries every 2 weeks

The Health Management Resources (HMR) Program includes a meal delivery service and offers group coaching and online support to help its followers adopt healthier lifestyle habits.

A person can get a free diet and lifestyle evaluation on the company website. The diet plan includes access to an app that offers virtual coaching, dietary intake tracking, recipes, and motivational articles. The HMR Program offers both in-person and at-home support options.

The HMR Program’s at-home Healthy Solutions diet includes a weight loss phase and a maintenance phase.

The HMR starter kit costs $208.35 and includes two weeks’ worth of food with free delivery. It also includes a recipe book, weekly group coaching over the phone, and discount for future auto-delivery reorders.

PLANTSTRONG by Engine 2

For a plant-based diet

Engine 2 is a low fat, plant-based program designed to prevent chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Research suggests that plant-based diets can lower the risk of chronic disease. However, they may not affect a person’s weight and can have negative effects if a person does not monitor their nutritional needs.

A person may wish to purchase the Engine 2 Diet book that outlines the 28-day Save Your Life plan.

People may sign up for the PLANTSTRONG meal planner, which costs $14 per month. PLANTSTRONG also offers behavioral change programs with weekly lessons, live group calls, and individual coaching for $159 to $359 per year.

Diet-To-Go

For diabetes, keto, and vegetarian menus

Diet-To-Go provides prepackaged, low calorie meals made with fresh ingredients and no preservatives. Foods are flash-frozen to maintain freshness.

People can choose from 5- or 7-day plans that include lunches and dinners. The company also provides meal plans for people with diabetes, vegetarians, and those following the keto diet.

According to the company website, plans cost $18–$29 per day.