The Benefits of Meal Planning

One of the struggles I hear from most women when it comes to healthy eating . . . meal planning and meal prep. 

Is it necessary?  

Does it need to take hours in the kitchen on a Sunday afternoon? 

How many days do I need to plan for? 

Honestly, meal prep and meal planning is all up to you!!  Meaning YOU get to decide how much you want to do, when you want to do, how long you want to spend doing it, and how many days/meals you’ll prep for. 

Is it necessary, no BUT it does make life so much easier . . . especially if you like so many women who often undereat and then grab something less nutritious to satisfy a craving. 

Meal planning and prepping is one of the best ways to ensure that I’ll actual eat lunch most days.  When it’s quick and easy and I’m busy, stressed, or on the go from client to client, having a meal prepped and ready to eat makes life so much simpler!! 

I also know what it feels like when the clock hits 6 pm, you’re hungry and tired, and you have no idea what to eat for dinner. 

It’s easy to fall into a rut of eating the same not-so-nutritious foods over and over. 

As with so many things in life, having a plan increases your chance for success. Whether your success includes saving time and money, reducing food waste, managing an ongoing health concern, reaching a health goal, or maintaining a healthy weight, meal planning can help.

Meal planning is a simple concept that can help you eat healthier and hit those goals. 

Having a meal plan can save you time: the time it takes to decide on a meal or recipe and the time to run out to pick up an ingredient or two at the last minute. 

Meal plans also help you to save money by sticking with your plan so that you only buy what you need on your customized grocery list. Plus, you won’t have to throw out as much wasted food at the end of the week because all of it will be accounted for in your meals.

Meal planning can help you reach your health goals, eat more nutritiously, and improve your diet. 

You already know that getting all of your vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients can help you reach your health goals. Maybe you also need a low-sodium diet to reduce your blood pressure. Perhaps you need gluten or allergen-free foods to reduce your reactions. Or maybe you need to focus on managing your blood sugar or heart health. 

Whether you have a condition that you want to manage better with food, or whether you have health goals you want to achieve, having a meal plan makes all of those more achievable. 

Several studies have shown that people who use meal plans tend to cook their own meals and improve the nutritional quality of their diet. In fact, people who use meal plans tend to follow dietary guidelines more closely, eat a wider variety of foods, and consume more fruits and vegetables.

We know that pre-made, pre-packaged, processed foods are quick and easy, but they’re often low in fiber and nutrients, while also being high in salt, sugars, and unhealthy fats. 

Meal planning can help you maintain a healthy weight 

It’s true! Meal planning is associated with lower risk for obesity.

Studies show that people who use meal plans are less likely to experience obesity than those who don’t. This means that meal planning is one way to reduce your risk for obesity in the future, giving you control of your ingredients, cooking methods, and portion sizes.

When it comes to eating well, meal planning is one of the easiest things you can do to set yourself up for success. 

 Looking for a way to take away the day-to-day stress of choosing what to eat three or four times each day? Want help to ensure your food choices are nutritious and reduce wasted food (and money)? Need support to effectively reach your health and weight goals?  Check out these meal planning recipes bundles to help make life a little easier!!