Tip 17. Plan Your Meals and Snacks: Setting Yourself Up for Success
Planning your meals and snacks in advance can be an effective strategy for maintaining a healthy eating pattern. By setting aside time each week to plan and prepare meals, you can ensure you have nutritious options on hand and minimize the temptation to resort to less healthy convenience foods.
Begin by creating a meal plan that includes a variety of nutrient-dense foods from all food groups. This can help ensure you’re consuming a balanced diet and getting the necessary vitamins and minerals to support overall health.
Next, consider prepping ingredients or entire meals in advance to save time and make it easier to stick to your plan. This could involve chopping vegetables, cooking grains, or assembling ready-to-eat meals in containers. (17)