How do you guys feel about planning meals ahead of time?

I do the same thing as MrsEJr! I also eat pretty much the same thing for breakfast and lunch every day (I'll occasionally switch out a fruit or something). So I know how many calories are my "play calories" for dinner - that's usually my more spontaneous, let's decide later sort of meal.

I do the same for dinner... I plan the part of the day where I am usually alone, then the dinner calories are more spontaneous... I llike to have an idea, so if we are going out to eat, I will do the online menu thing too.... still find something new but I know what to tweek, or if I should burn a lil more throughout my day to allow for something special. If I am cooking, I am the kind of cook that throws in a lil of this and a lil of that,,, so I will write down what I threw in real quick, and if I have a minute while waiting on something to cook, I will enter the recipe real quick and find out how much it is gonna cost me and how much I can actually have... It has gotten to where my family will ask me when we go to eat, "how much is this?"... LOL...
Or just knowing how many calories I have and estimate what I can eat,,, I just try to portion wisely and if I am over 100 or so, It is not the end of the world.
But right now, I am on a more strict course of action, so I did plan what to get at the grocery store, and planned out what to eat ( I can get stuck in a rut and eat the same thing for a week if I let myself)... then I don't have to think about it until we go out to eat or something.:)
HOpe this helps some. xo

You don't have to eat the same thing every day. This site will help you with that. I like to look to see what my friends on this site are eating. You can get ideas from others. It gets easier as you go.

I find it important to plan my meals ahead of time, otherwise I end up going for what is convenient rather than what's smart.

However, I find that it doesn't work well for me to log meals ahead of time. I still frequently change my mind and go with something else, however the planning overall works well.

I plan most of the day as I eat breakfast. I try to plan my snacks in b/c that's where I lose control. It only takes a moment to change or update it and for me, it works. It does allow me to see where I'm going before I start. But I like surprises too!

Breakfast for me is pretty much always the same thing. Lunch and dinner change depending on what I've cooked. On Saturdays and Sundays I try to make at least one meal each night so that I can store the leftovers to get me through the week for lunches and other dinners. I try to mix it up so it's not boring, but I've found that not planning ahead is me sabotaging myself and my progress.

Before MFP, I would plan meals occassionally and when I did, it really helped and I felt so organized. But I stopped and started winging it again. Now that I'm trying to get more serious with my weight loss efforts, I know I should start planning again. And it definitely helps to have the calendar on the fridge when the hubby or kids call me at work saying "what's for dinner tonight?"

I don't plan meals. I eat what I'm hungry for...although that's not always true.


I have my go-to like my turkey burgers, my ground turkey meat, my boneless/skinless turkey breasts.

I pick which one I'm in the mood for (or in the mood to cook, because frankly the ground meat is the easiest), then I choose whats next.


I basically eat the same things over and over again just changing spices, veggies, or swapping sides.

My basic grocery list:

Jennie-O Turkey Burgers, Hot Dogs, andGround Turkey Meat
Boneless/Skinless Chicken Breasts
Baby Spinach
Baby Carrots
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Celery
Green, Red, Yellow, and Orange Bell Pepper
Bananas
Lentils
Brown Rice
Whole Wheat Pasta
Slim-Fast Meal Bars
Swiss-Miss Sugar Free Chocolate Pudding
and a new spice every time I go to the store.


I know its kind of bland looking, but I use incredible spices on everything. My worcester hotdogs are amazing!!!!!!