Plan Your Meals to Suit Your Lifestyle
What does it really mean to "plan your meals"?
Meal planning involves:
Envisioning what a healthy meal looks like for you.
Looking ahead to when you'll want a solid nutrition plan in place.
Breaking down the process by working backward through all the steps needed to make the meal happen.
Consider these questions:
How much time does each step need?
When can you prioritise each step?
What compromises might you need to make?
Then, put your plan into action by organising all the logistics to ensure your meal comes together smoothly.
Why and How to Practice Meal Planning
Unless you’re lucky enough to live in a spa with a personal chef, eating well takes effort—it requires a plan.
Good nutrition doesn’t happen by accident. You have to make it happen with a bit of forethought and preparation.
Start with a Vision
What does a balanced, healthy meal look like to you?
This can vary from person to person, but a healthy meal often includes:
Lean protein
Colourful vegetables
Smart carbs
Healthy fats
Using hand portions can be a quick way to visualise amounts: most moderately active people do well with 1-2 hand portions of each category per meal, with 3-4 meals per day.
Then, tailor it to your needs by asking yourself:
Preferences: What foods do you enjoy?
Goals: Which foods support your health and fitness goals?
Accessibility: What’s easy for you to obtain? (e.g., What’s nearby? What might require a shopping trip?)
Look Ahead
Where will you specifically need a meal plan?
It doesn’t need to be rigid, but having a framework can take the stress out of mealtime.
Break it Down
To make your vision a reality, work backward to create a plan.
Ask yourself:
What are the exact steps needed?
When will you fit these steps into your schedule?
What compromises will you need to make?
Who can support you?
For example, you might:
Look up restaurant menus ahead of time.
Consider a meal delivery service.
Plan breakfasts for exercise days.
Set up a Sunday family meeting to discuss the week’s dinners.
The more specific you are, the simpler each individual step will feel.
Execute
All that’s left is to focus and carry out each step you’ve planned. Each small action you take brings you closer to consistently healthy meals.
Comments