How To Stick To Your Meal Plan

No matter what your health and fitness goals are, good nutrition is an important consideration and a healthy meal plan can help you nourish your body and provide it with the essentials it needs to perform at its best.

Making a Meal Plan You Can Stick To

When it comes to embracing a healthy, balanced diet, many people like to plan ahead. A meal plan can teach you how to balance meals and understand how to fuel your body. Consistency is important, so here are a few tips to help you stick to your plan. 

Have realistic expectations

Following a nutritious meal plan can have many health benefits, but it’s only going to work if you want to do it. You are more likely to want to follow a meal plan that is realistic for you and your lifestyle.

We all have different needs, different goals and different bodies, which means there is no such thing as a single diet that will work for everyone. 

Aim to eat healthily and follow your plan without feeling as though you have to give up your favourite foods. Food can be a way to celebrate our achievements, socialise, experience new things and acknowledge our culture, so try and seek balance and enjoy your favourite foods in moderation. 

Shop smarter

When you have meals already planned, you might find you only need to grocery shop once or twice a week. 

The meal plans in the Sweat app come with a weekly shopping list, so you already know what ingredients are required. Once you have a pantry stocked with staples such as grains, spices and canned goods, you’ll find shopping can take less time and meals become a little easier to put together.

Knowing exactly what you need before you hit the shops can also help make your shop more efficient and easier on your bank account. When you know exactly what you need, you might find you're less tempted to make impulse purchases and buy things simply because they're on special. 

Meal prep

One of the best ways to stay on track with your meal plan is to spend some time each week on meal preparation. Taking an hour or two to prepare fruit and vegetables in advance can save you so much time over the next few days. You simply grab the washed and chopped veggies and add them to stir-frys or to a tasty dish like this Salmon Souvlaki Bowl. Having some fruit washed and ready to pop into your lunch bag or separated into freezer bags for quick healthy smoothies can save precious minutes on a busy day.

Pre-plan before going out

Social situations can make it hard to stick to a meal plan, but planning ahead can help you to navigate these situations with ease. Heading to a cafe or restaurant? Take a look at what’s on the menu and choose something that fits into your meal plan. But remember, it's okay to enjoy the foods you love - allow yourself to enjoy your meal and the quality time you're spending with friends and family!  Heading to a friend’s place for dinner? Offer to bring a healthy side dish or salad. If you’re following your meal plan the majority of the time, remember it’s absolutely okay to indulge or to deviate from that plan every now and then. 

Eat delicious food

Any meal plan that makes you miserable is going to be hard to follow. Instead, find a meal plan that feels enjoyable, fulfilling and offers plenty of flavour and variety. Think of a healthy meal plan as a way to give your body the best fuel possible. That doesn’t mean you need to spend extra on premium ingredients — choosing fresh produce or ‘real foods’ and skipping the over-processed varieties can make a huge difference to your health. 

Following a healthy meal plan can take time and practice, so remember to be patient with yourself! Don’t be upset with yourself if you don't stick to it all of the time. 

Meal plans can make trying to eat healthy a lot more simple. Do you plan your meals ahead? Let us know your tips and tricks in the comments!