Meal Planning for Obesity
Worldwide obesity has nearly tripled since 1975. Obesity is defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that can negatively affect health. It is a chronic, lifelong disease that requires healthy eating (restricted calorie intake), moderate exercise and in some cases, medication to effectively treat. While there is no one diet for obesity, creating a healthy meal plan can definitely help in your weight loss journey. Research shows that people who planned meals are less likely to be overweight or obese.
Reducing Calorie Intake
It’s recommended that a patient who wants to lose weight restricts caloric intake by about 500 to 800 kilocalories. Meal planning for obesity can help you achieve your weight loss goals by:
- Allowing you to properly balance each meal with the right amount of fresh vegetables and fruits, protein, unsaturated fats and complex carbohydrates.
- Giving you control over fat and sodium content.
- Making portion control easier so you don’t overeat.
- Reducing the chance you’ll stop at a fast food restaurant because you don’t have anything to eat at home.
Lifestyle Changes for Obesity
While meal planning for obesity can be beneficial, it’s important to make other lifestyle changes as well. Here are some tips:
- Many people don’t realize how many empty calories are in juices and soda; switch to water.
- There is some research that shows mindful eating can help you lose weight. This means listening to your body for hunger cues, and eating without distractions like your smartphone or TV.
- Even making small changes to your routine can help you lose weight, like taking the stairs instead of the elevator or parking farther away from the store.
While it may be tempting to try a crash diet that helps you lose weight quickly, it’s not sustainable. The best way to lose weight and keep it off is to commit to safe, steady weight loss over time. By working with your healthcare provider to reduce calories, increase physical activity and take medications if needed, you’ll be well on your way to a healthier you.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you'd like more information on meal planning for obesity.
Visit HealthChoicesFirst.com for more videos and resources on family health.
Print this Action Plan and check off items that you want to discuss with your healthcare provider
-
While there is no one diet for obesity, creating a healthy meal plan can definitely help in your weight loss journey. Research shows that people who planned meals are less likely to be overweight or obese.
-
It’s recommended that a patient who wants to lose weight restricts caloric intake by about 500 to 800 kilocalories.
-
Meal planning for obesity can help you achieve your weight loss goals by allowing you to properly balance each meal with the right amount of fresh vegetables and fruits, protein, unsaturated fats and complex carbohydrates.
-
Meal planning for obesity can give you control over fat and sodium content and make portion control easier so you don’t overeat.
-
Even making small changes to your routine can help you lose weight, like taking the stairs instead of the elevator or parking farther away from the store.
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Meal Planning for Obesity
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Information - Meal Planning for Obesity
Worldwide obesity has nearly tripled since 1975. Obesity is defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that can negatively affect health. It is a chronic, lifelong disease that requires healthy eating (restricted calorie intake), moderate exercise and in some cases, medication to effectively treat. While there is no one diet for obesity, creating a healthy meal plan can definitely help in your weight loss journey. Research shows that people who planned meals are less likely to be overweight or obese.
Reducing Calorie Intake
It’s recommended that a patient who wants to lose weight restricts caloric intake by about 500 to 800 kilocalories. Meal planning for obesity can help you achieve your weight loss goals by:
- Allowing you to properly balance each meal with the right amount of fresh vegetables and fruits, protein, unsaturated fats and complex carbohydrates.
- Giving you control over fat and sodium content.
- Making portion control easier so you don’t overeat.
- Reducing the chance you’ll stop at a fast food restaurant because you don’t have anything to eat at home.
Lifestyle Changes for Obesity
While meal planning for obesity can be beneficial, it’s important to make other lifestyle changes as well. Here are some tips:
- Many people don’t realize how many empty calories are in juices and soda; switch to water.
- There is some research that shows mindful eating can help you lose weight. This means listening to your body for hunger cues, and eating without distractions like your smartphone or TV.
- Even making small changes to your routine can help you lose weight, like taking the stairs instead of the elevator or parking farther away from the store.
While it may be tempting to try a crash diet that helps you lose weight quickly, it’s not sustainable. The best way to lose weight and keep it off is to commit to safe, steady weight loss over time. By working with your healthcare provider to reduce calories, increase physical activity and take medications if needed, you’ll be well on your way to a healthier you.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you'd like more information on meal planning for obesity.
Visit HealthChoicesFirst.com for more videos and resources on family health.
Print this Action Plan and check off items that you want to discuss with your healthcare provider
-
While there is no one diet for obesity, creating a healthy meal plan can definitely help in your weight loss journey. Research shows that people who planned meals are less likely to be overweight or obese.
-
It’s recommended that a patient who wants to lose weight restricts caloric intake by about 500 to 800 kilocalories.
-
Meal planning for obesity can help you achieve your weight loss goals by allowing you to properly balance each meal with the right amount of fresh vegetables and fruits, protein, unsaturated fats and complex carbohydrates.
-
Meal planning for obesity can give you control over fat and sodium content and make portion control easier so you don’t overeat.
-
Even making small changes to your routine can help you lose weight, like taking the stairs instead of the elevator or parking farther away from the store.