Menu Planning

When trying to lose or control your weight, there are those who recommend recording what you eat in a day, either throughout the day as you go along or at the end of the day. I don’t.

“Recording” (trying to remember what you think you ate) isn’t the same thing as “planning.”

I teach clients to plan in advance at least one day at a time, but 2 or 3 is better, especially during the work week. This way, you know what your intentions are, based on your schedule, for an entire day at a time. You see what you need to eat and at what time; you prepare in advance, pack it and bring it with you; and follow through for a successful eating day.

Here are 8 other benefits of planning a food diary in advance:

✅ It saves a ton of time in the supermarket.

✅ It allows for advanced food prep of your meals and snack items.

✅ It prevents “calorie amnesia.”

✅ It helps develop greater self-discipline.

✅ It can help to identify moods, situations and events that lead to excessive eating of unwanted calories.

✅ It serves as the document on which you can record your weight.

✅ It gives a look-back at your habits.

✅ It serves as a check system for your physician or trainer.

Menu planning is 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 predictor of weight loss and control.