Nutrition plays a crucial role in your well-being, and your dietitian is here to guide you every step of the way. Meal plans are a great way to support a healthy eating routine but are recommended for anyone who needs extra help managing nutrients. Your dietitian will first want to hear from you and then work with you to address any nutritional or medical issues to create a healthy meal plan that suits your personal, financial, and health-related needs. A successful meal plan will consider your schedule, food already on hand, weekly consumption, and other spending habits.
Do Dietitians Give Meal Plans?
At your first session with your registered dietitian, they will assess your experiences with food, intolerances, medical conditions, goals, and needs. Your dietitian will take that information and build a custom meal plan to set you up for success. As an expert on nutrition, a dietitian’s primary goal is to ensure that you get all the proper nutrients to sustain yourself.
When creating a meal plan, your dietitian will focus on all the working parts of your food consumption (from spending habits to kitchen appliances) so that whichever meal plan they recommend, you can follow through with it.
Helpful Meal Planning Ideas
Simple Meals
If it’s easy, you’re more likely to keep going. The more complicated it gets, the less likely you will follow through.
Pantry First, then Shop
Using what you have first allows you to incorporate foods you like into your meal preparations. From there, you can add to your shopping list, mixing new foods with others you know and enjoy.
Make a List
Shopping with a list and sticking to it makes shopping more manageable, and you’re less likely to toss in foods that aren’t in your meal plan.
Reusable Containers
Grab some reusable containers, so you know how much you need to make each week. Consistency is key.
Preparing Saves Time
Prepare all of your ingredients ahead of time for meals you will be cooking throughout the week. When things are more accessible, you’re more likely to stick to them.
Ready. Set. Snack
Have your snacks ready to go in small containers or snack-size resealable bags. If you want a snack, you have something readily available and will be less likely to sit and eat the whole bag when they’re pre-measured.
Balanced Meals (Fruit Ying, Vegetable Yang)
Each meal should contain balanced portions of fruits, vegetables, grains, healthy fats, and proteins to ensure you get all the nutrients needed to stay healthy.
Cook More Now to Save Time Later
Double recipes and use containers to spread meals out throughout the week or freeze extra portions to reheat later.
Meal planning isn’t solely for those trying to get their health back on track or save time at home.
It can also be for anyone suffering from a medical condition or illness. Dietitians can also work with you to help regulate nutritional health, as food can help improve specific symptoms. Meal plans like these can range anywhere from diabetic meal plans to low-cholesterol meal plans and even prenatal meal plans
