The Cost of Major Diet Plans and Meals

- Weight Watchers teaches you to eat a balanced diet, based on their points system or portion control with "Core Foods." Registration is $20, with a weekly fee of $13 for meetings (or $13 a month for its web-based program). You supply your own food. Weight Watchers also sells an annually updated Food Guide Companion ($9.95) to make it easier to create your own meals. www.weightwatchers.com

- Jenny Craig offers one-on-one consultations on diet and exercise, along with portion-controlled meals. The cost is $199 for six-month membership, plus $11-15 a day for food. It's extra if you have them add fruits and vegetables. www.jennycraig.com

- L.A. Weight Loss provides meetings and weigh-ins with a trained counselor, but the diet plan itself is based on sensible eating with everyday food. There's a one-time sign-up fee of $149. The weekly cost is $9 a week for a 52-week minimum. www.laweightloss.com

- NutriSystem features prepackaged meals delivered to your door, with a choice of more than 120 meals and desserts. The cost is $289.46 a month for automatic delivery of your choices (you get a week's worth of meals free when you sign up for automatic delivery). www.nutrisystem.com

- Zone Chefs offers gourmet meals and snacks that provide a 40/30/30 percent split between carbohydrates, protein, and fat. The cost is $39.99 a day, depending on your location. You can also get vegetarian or kosher meals. Zone frozen meals range from $2.25-$5. www.zonechefs.com

- South Beach Diet is based loosely on the glycemic index of foods. The frozen entrees, snacks, and other foods range from $3.50-$5. The South Beach Diet: The Delicious Doctor-Designed Foolproof Plan for Fast and Healthy Weight Loss by Arthur Agatston, MD (2003, Rodale Press) costs $14.97 or $7.95 in paperback. www.southbeachdiet.com