Meal Planning

DanaLynnMN

I've been on here for two weeks and doing great...however...I think I need to start planning out my daily meals for the week (or at least a few days out).

I think I've been doing a good job at eating healthier food options - and working on getting better when it comes to watching Calories, Carbs, Protein & Fat to stay within my goals. I find my self on MFP constantly daily trying to figure out what "balanced" foods I can work into that day. For example, yesterday, I logged my breakfast, snacks and lunch...then I tried to figure out what to have for dinner. I added and deleted items to my food journal until I came up with a plan. Sometimes I know what I'm going to have for dinner and I work backwards the same way....adding/deleting items until I have a plan. I grocery shop once a week, and I think I end up getting way more fresh food than I can eat in a week. I think "oh, that sounds good..and so does that"..and so on and so on. I tend to not have a lot of prep/cook time during the week, so I'd like to be able to plan meals and pre-make or pre-package on the weekends when I have more time. I find the only way I can do this would be to plan out what I'm going to be eating all week. That way I have "grab-n-go" items handy. Plus it will help me compile a grocery list that I can stick to!

I think this is a good idea, and I'm wondering if any of you out in MFP land do something along these lines.
The only thing I worry about is having enough variety day to day so I don't get sick of anything.

Any suggestions????

TooFitToQuit

I do this too because I do really well with routine. I eat the same thing for bfast, lunch, and snacks because I know they work for me. I allow for variety at dinner, but I make sure to pre-log before cooking so I don't go over or under my nutrition goals. I think it's a great idea! You can take a look at my diary if you'd like

_Sally_

You got it, girlfriend. You are setting yourself up for success!

I do a lot of planning ahead and logging ahead (before I eat) and since I only buy groceries/cook for one, sometimes in the same week I don't have much variety, so I strive for variety from week to week. I'm also experimenting more with freezing some single servings of meals so I always have something healthy in a pinch and can add more variety to my meals during the week.

Overtime, you will get a sense of how many calories are in certain items, so you don't have to do so much pre-logging and backing into calories as you do at the beginning.

Stick with it!

cricketannie

I have done the same thing before...checking the calorie counter to figure out what I will eat. I don't really plan out several meals for the week, but I shop with meals in mind. I pick up veggies for snacking (carrots, broccoli, etc.) and pick up veggies to go with meals (spinach/lettuce for salads, corn, green beans, onions, green peppers,tomatoes, mushrooms) After that I pick up my protein...usually chicken and pork. And then some whole wheat pasta, or rice.
I have three kids, so I don't have much time for prep and cooking either. I just make sure that with every meal I include 3-4 of the veggies, the protein, and something starchy like pasta/rice/potatoes. Since I don't have enough time to cook every single night, I have found it helps to cook really big meals on nights I can cook and save half of it in 3 or 4 smaller tupperware containers to take to work for lunch, or to eat on another night.
One tip someone gave me was to never eat pre-packaged food from the store...like the frozen meals, or pasta steamers. They have WAY too much sodium...plus they don't taste as good as last night's leftovers.
I hope this is a little helpful! I'm not sure what I'm doing with everything, so I'm open to suggestions, also!
good luck

tramaine81

Hey! I am glad that you joined the community!

Here are my food choices; however, remember, meals are definitely a personal thing, so you may not like what I eat...

I love....
Grilled cheese sandwiches

Ezekiel raisin bread with sour cream on top

2 scrambled eggs in 2 tsp of olive oil

Mediterranean salads (chopped scallions, parsley, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, olive oil, salt, and lemon)

I usually eat this over and over again.

Sometimes I eat lentil soup (healthy choice)

Snacks: Almonds (5-10 at a time)

Good luck:)