Compare for the prices of weight loss diet plans
eDiets
The optional meal delivery service, eDiets Fresh Prepared Meal Delivery, costs about $100 per week plus $20 shipping, and includes the online service.
Cost to lose 20 pounds : For online membership, $54 for three months; for meal delivery, $1,556 including online membership for 13 weeks.
Cost per pound of weight loss : $2.70 for online-only plan; $78 for meal delivery.
Weight Watchers
Choose the $39.95 monthly pass, which includes unlimited meetings and online support. If you won't go to meetings, the best online-only deal is the three-month $65 plan (with automatic monthly renewal at $16.95 thereafter).
Cost to lose 20 pounds : $120 to $200 with the monthly pass, including membership and 12 to 20 meetings. Figure on about $80 more in the six-week maintenance phase.
Cost per pound of weight loss : $6 to $10, not including food.
The Zone
About $40 per day plus $3 to $10 delivery fee.
Cost to lose 20 pounds : $4,480 for 16 weeks of food (assuming 1.25 pounds of fat loss per week).
Cost per pound of weight loss : $224
Atkins
Generally speaking, meat and cheese are more expensive than fruits, veggies and bread. That said, the Atkins Diet does not require that you buy more costly prepared meals.
NutriSystem
About $333 for four weeks of meals, plus $20 shipping ; $148 for 14-day starter program purchased through Walmart
Cost of losing 20 pounds : About $706 for eight weeks of food on the standard plan.
Cost per pound of weight loss : $35.
Jenny Craig
$20 for 10-week membership, plus $84 to $126 a week for Jenny Craig food. One-year premium membership is $359.
Cost of losing 20 pounds : $1,070 to $2,120, including food, depending on rate of loss.
Cost per pound of weight loss : $54 to $106 per pound.