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Planning meals the night before

HealthyMakeover
HealthyMakeover Posts: 142 Member
edited February 13 in Food and Nutrition
Does anybody else like to enter their meals in the night before?
I do this because it helps me figure out what I can do to stay within my allotted calories, and so I have a better idea of what to eat instead of standing in the kitchen all day. I really hope it doesn't turn into a bad obsession and spark anxiety, but so far, it actually really helps me relax more because I like to be in control.

I've finally made my first green smoothie to eat for breakfast tomorrow. Storing it in the freezer right now. I taste-tested it, and I actually really like it for a beginner's smoothie.

Replies

  • Mhgretsch
    Mhgretsch Posts: 259 Member
    I plan at least a day ahead for both food and activity...makes it harder for me to mindlessly eat or skip the gym once I've "written" it down. I actually just planned out all of my activity for the week based on my work schedule, and planned out a few days of food.

    Re: breakfast smoothie, I've found one that I really like...1cup frozen berries, 1/2 banana, 1 big handful spinach (1 cup-ish), 2 tbs ground flaxseed, 1/2 cup nonfat yogurt, and about 1/2 cup water...I'll be adding a scoop of vanilla protein powder starting tomorrow for additional morning protein. Mix it all with an immersion blender and drink it on the way to work.
  • acogg
    acogg Posts: 1,870 Member
    Yes, I plan ahead. I don't think it's obsessive to plan your day. For me, it stops me from grabbing things and forgetting to log them. It gives me structure. If something happens during the day that is not in my plan, I can change the log. I have learned to build my day, rather than react to it. I hope that makes sense.
  • avskk
    avskk Posts: 1,787 Member
    I plan three days to a week ahead. Of course I tweak things as I go along, but the major planning happens well in advance. This helps my budget as much as my waistline, since I can incorporate leftovers and whatnot easily.
  • fortally
    fortally Posts: 78
    If I don't have a plan in place then in the morning I wander in the kitchen and start wolfing down the first things I see. I wake up ravenous, and nothing gets in between me and the fridge (people, dogs, doors, whatever) first thing in the morning. Having a plan helps me stick to my calorie & macros goals.

    I plan each day the night before day so that I make sure it is nutritionally balanced. I don't naturally eat loads of veggies. If I didn't plan them into the day I probably wouldn't ever eat anything green. When I don't plan I tend to run out of calories by lunch and end up with a plateful of broccoli for dinner. That's just not fun. Ever.

    I plan workouts by the week using my own calendar & chart I made in MS Word. I enter workouts on MFP to get the calorie adjustments, but I really use my own system for setting and tracking my fitness goals.

    It hasn't made me obsessive. The opposite, in fact. I feel in control of my eating when I plan ahead. I'm less stressed, my attitudes towards food are better, and I rarely end up binging.
  • CaliforniaAJ
    CaliforniaAJ Posts: 196 Member
    Yes! Plan ahead! That way you can make sure you balance your nutrition.

    I love to plan a few days in advance, so I know what to pick up at the grocery store. My grocery bills have gone up about 30%, mostly due to the huge volume of protein.

    I also plan my workouts a week or so in advance.
  • navyrigger46
    navyrigger46 Posts: 1,301 Member
    Not all the time, and not for every meal, but occasionally I do. I already logger breakfast and dinner for tomorrow, subject to change of course.

    Rigger
  • wannakimmy
    wannakimmy Posts: 488 Member
    Yes, I plan ahead. I don't think it's obsessive to plan your day. For me, it stops me from grabbing things and forgetting to log them. It gives me structure. If something happens during the day that is not in my plan, I can change the log. I have learned to build my day, rather than react to it. I hope that makes sense.

    This ^^^
  • mrshumphreyjr
    mrshumphreyjr Posts: 4
    Yes I plan ahead, using a weekly shopping list/going through my favourite recipe books. I have just started tracking through Map my ride my daily cycle to work, which has already sync'd by the time I boot up my computer at work.

    Like most of the rest of you, I find it comforting to plan for unexpected things, meals out etc. Makes these events less likely to scupper my plans for healthy eating/exercise.:smile:
  • sillyvalentine
    sillyvalentine Posts: 460 Member
    I love doing this. I actually plan for the week. Not only does it help me stay on track, it makes grocery shopping easier.
  • arrseegee
    arrseegee Posts: 575 Member
    I vaguely plan our meals for the week in order to go grocery shopping, but decide what to actually eat on a daily basis, then log accordingly.
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