If you're steadily working toward your weight loss goal, meal planning can be an incredibly helpful tool to keep your nutrition in check. By planning and paying closer attention to your eating habits, you can ensure that you're getting the nutrients your body needs to stay healthy — all while also controlling your calorie intake.
Review these meal planning tips from our Diet Doctor Weight Loss program, and contact us if you need help with weight loss counseling or nutrition counseling!
Each week, plan your meals and snacks to help you stay on track. This will prevent you from experiencing temptation and making unhealthy choices when you're hungry and need something to fuel your body. Make a list of what you’re going to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with the help of our nutrition counseling, and stick to it no matter what.
To keep yourself on track with your nutrition counseling and weight loss exercise plan, it’s important to eat whole foods. Build your meals off unprocessed foods like lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; these will keep you fuller for longer periods and therefore help control your overall calorie intake. Our weight loss clinic also recommends limiting your intake of added sugars and eating more healthy fats such as olive oil, avocados, and nuts.
Portion control is an essential part of weight loss and any other health-related goal. You can make sure you’re not accidentally overeating or consuming too many calories by using measuring cups and a food scale to keep portions in check and ensure accuracy. Remember to also pay close attention to serving sizes on nutrition labels and cook most of your meals at home, so you have total control over the ingredients and portions.
While it may be tempting to do when your schedule is full, never skip meals. Skipping meals can lead to overeating later because of the extra hunger you feel when you finally sit down to eat. Stick to a regular meal schedule and eat balanced meals every day with a few healthy snacks mixed in when you’re on the go!
With careful planning and a commitment to healthier choices, meal planning can be an effective tool on your weight loss journey. Remember to create a plan that best suits your lifestyle and preference, and always stay positive and kind to yourself — each new day is an opportunity to start fresh and make better choices.