[shaynastein]

I need to lose weight (doctor's orders) and I'm trying to plan meals but it is getting overwhelming. Any suggestions on easy ways to do this or resources that can make this easier? Thanks.

[H3rmit]

Easy way is make huge batches of something and eat it for many days in a row or freeze it in meal-size portions. Simplify dishes as much as you can.

It also depends on what eating strategy suits you - there are many out there. One simple thing is a protein drink for breakfast. Can keep you going a long time.

[kiwi33]

It might help if you talked with a Registered Dietitian (your doctor should be able to refer you to one).

In the USA "Registered Dietitian" is a legally-protected term - only health professionals who have completed relevant training can use that job label.

A Registered Dietitian will be able to look at your diet and make suggestions about healthy eating.

[hvert]

I'm thinking of on a weekly basis choosing one breakfast and one lunch item and just eating the same thing every day. It would stop me thinking about food (oh, what will I have for lunch today?). For dinner, I usually make one or two dishes per week that last me the entire week.

For breakfast, yogurt with fruit is light on calories and doesn't make me feel like I am starving by 10 AM, but there are tons of options.

[SnakeCharmer]

hvert, I like your idea of having the same breakfast and lunch daily and then making big batches of your evening meals to last the week.

I try to eat the same things over and over again for at least two of the daily meals. Research shows that the old advice to eat a varied died doesn't help people who want to lose weight because the more varied the dishes and flavors we eat, the bigger our appetite becomes. we like those tastes and want to over-eat when we have something different than usual that tastes yummy. Having the same meal over and over dampens the appetite just enough to prevent over-eating.

The varied diet advice is to keep people from living off fried potatoes and snickers bars. Not a recipe for good health.

I'd also advise planning at least two and maybe three snacks to eat between mid-morning, mid-afternoon and in the evening. Things like fresh fruit and vegetables, whatever it takes to prevent yourself from becoming too hungry between meals. It's important to be able to tolerate some hunger pangs, but getting too hungry triggers binge eating in many people, me included

I hope your new eating plan is satisfying and effective!