Meal plans can help you fill your weeks with meals that fuel your body and give you a rock-solid plan for getting healthy foods on the table.1

Make sure your meal plan includes lean protein, whole grains and non-starchy vegetables. If you include fruit, choose low-sugar options like apples or berries and skip canned fruit in syrup.

Apps

Lasta is a great meal planning app that makes it easy weight loss meal plan to get started with meal planning and stick to your goal. It will help you create a sustainable calorie deficit that is essential for weight loss. It will also help you avoid making unhealthy food choices by providing a variety of recipes that fit your specific dietary needs and preferences.

PlateJoy is another popular meal planning app that can create a customized meal plan for you and your family based on your dietary goals. The app takes into account your diet preferences, food allergies, fitness and calorie goals, and schedules. It uses 50 data points to create a meal plan that fits your specific needs. It can even sync with your fitness and health tracker to help you stay on target.

eMeals is another meal planning app that offers a free version and a premium option. The free version allows you to set your dietary goals and choose meals based on them. It has a large database of recipes and offers different options such as clean eating, low-calorie, kid-friendly, and slow cooker meals. It can also generate an organized grocery list and is compatible with Instacart and other grocery delivery services.

Books

If you are looking to lose weight by focusing on a specific food group, these cookbooks and meal planners may be the best option for you. These are books that top registered dietitians recommend to their clients. These books are also great to have around if you need some inspiration or want to learn more about the foods you're eating.

For example, Reno's book is one that she often recommends to her clients, as it "shows people how to prepare healthy meals with simple ingredients that they can cook at home. It limits processed and packaged foods and focuses on fresh, whole foods, which is a key factor for success in any diet."

Another dietitian-recommended meal plan comes from Bonnie Taub-Dix, R.N., and is centered around fish, a nutritious and lean protein source. The meal plans include recipes and shopping lists to help you get started with your own healthy eating journey.

Conclusion

The Fit and Wholesome plan from Everyday Health features dietitian-approved meals at about 650 calories each. Breakfast and lunch are designed to serve one person while dinners on Monday-Friday, as well as Saturday and Sunday meals, are designed to feed a family of 4. The meal plan is low-carb with moderate protein and fat and provides plenty of wiggle room for food swaps or additions. This plan is ideal for weight loss. It also promotes a healthy balance of nutrients.