Skip links

Why Generic Meal Plans Don’t Work

Author: Published on: Published in: Uncategorized

spread of food on blue background

We all live different lives, eat different foods, and have different preferences. A one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to your nutrition (such as meal plans) may not be sustainable and you’re more likely to not continue.

Meal plans may result in some short-term results (or not). However, living and eating this way will have you not want to see another 150g of broccoli or ingest 120g of chicken anymore. Eventually, you will dislike the process so much that you quit altogether and conclude that “eating healthy” is not enjoyable. Most importantly, you miss out on your big chance to learn how to make healthier, more enjoyable, and lasting real change.

Once you reach the end of your meal plan, what happens after that? How will you maintain those results and eating habits? This is why I don’t see the value of generic meal plans. A meal plan will work a lot better if it is tailored to you and your lifestyle or preferences.

So, if you want to eat better, you don’t need to weigh and measure everything. And you don’t need to bring your Tupperware with you wherever you go. You just need to think about what you’re ALREADY eating, and how you could make one thing better. So, this means making small changes and improvements to what you already normally eat.

For example, instead of having straight green veg and a protein source, opt for a range of colourful veggies. And add a complex carb source (e.g. potatoes) to your meal. Instead of ordering a burger with fries, go for a zero-cook option by buying ready-made dry salad packs and an oil blended tuna can for lunch.

At the end of the day, it’s all about ticking the right boxes:

  • Lean protein
  • Carbs / Nutrient Dense Foods (NDFs)
  • Healthy Fats.

If you’ve recently done this, or want some extra guidance, message us to have a chat about how a personalised meal plan could be what you need to get yourself started/less confused in the nutrition space.

Want extra help with your nutrition? Download UHP Personal Training’s Free eBook: Macros 101: A guide to tracking macros and using MyFitnessPal’.

You may also like