EatingWell 28 Day Meal Plan Help

How to choose the right calorie level for your daily meal plans.

READER'S COMMENT:

"What will it take to get EatingWell to complile an easy-to-use / follow meal plan for it's users? This seems like such a great meal plan but sadly no one will really know about it because it is too difficult to follow. It is really is a...

COMMENTS	POSTED
A balanced diet made up of all food groups is the most important part of healthy meal plans. Thanks for sharing these! — Anonymous	04/02/2010 - 7:10pm
This article was actually extremely helpful. — diamondonebay	03/24/2010 - 9:42pm
Great question about the daily calorie calculation. This is a formula used in many clinical weight loss trials. It assumes that the person using the equation is sedentary. If you're an active person and you're finding that your calculated result (say 1200 calories) is too low, bump it up gradually to one that feels satisfying to you. The point is NOT to starve yourself. Most people will lose weight on a 1500 calorie diet, some on an even higher caloric level. The best gauge for whether you're at the right level is how satisfied you feel (you shouldn't be hungry all day!) and whether you're losing weight. If you're losing weight on 1800 a day and you feel great, stick with that. The calculation is just a suggested starting point. Good luck! --Nicci Micco, M.S., Deputy Editor of Nutrition — Anonymous	03/15/2010 - 10:09am
Yes, there is definately an error in the calorie intake calculator. It calculated that i need 2646 calories to maintain my weight, but this is off. For me to maintain my weight would be 2141. I'm not sure whats wrong with that calculation but it definately isn't right — Anonymous	03/12/2010 - 1:05am
I followed the calculation and before subtracting 1000 I am at 1560, I too think the calculation must be off. — Anonymous	03/11/2010 - 6:15pm
Hello! Thanks for a great magazine, I always enjoy reading it. I DO think there may be an error in calculations for adjusting your calorie level if you want to lose weight, I did the math for my weight, which is 114 pounds. The article said to multiply your weight by 12, and then subtract 1,000. If I do that, I get 1368 calories per day BEFORE subtracting 1,000. There is a caveat that you shouldn't go lower than 1200 calories, but I can't help but feel that the calcuation is in error. Has anyone else noticed this? — Anonymous	02/25/2010 - 7:59pm
I love these meals and enjoy preparing them. And yes, I work full-time. I just feel like my health is definately worth the effort needed to prepare the meals which that are going to help me reach my goals. I told my coworker about this site and he loves it too and has already used one of the breakfast recipes that he said was really good. Thanks for a great website. — onredrockz	01/27/2010 - 9:44pm
You know the food is good when the complaints are that there are too many options and that you don't have time to make them all. If time and money are an issue, run menus two days in a row or make freezer-friendly items, like the stew, and load up the freezer for quick options. As for cost, buy in-season, let the protiens and produce that are on sale at your market guide your menu choice or choose meals based on what you already have in the pantry/fridge. My wife and I are on this plan with another couple. We each host a dinner one night a week and swap left-overs from the night before. This makes the plan more fun and gives us at least two nights off a week from cooking. I have been at the 500 calorie dinner plan for 3 weeks and lost 9 pounds, so far. The plans are designed to get you thinking about options, portion size and alternatives to processed food. If the plan is too rigid, apply the concepts to foods that you can afford and have the time to make. — Anonymous	01/26/2010 - 11:38am
I also agree with the other reviewers, time and expense is a factor. The designers of the diet did not make this at all practical. I ran into the same issues trying to follow South Beach Diet Book meal plan for each week. The Time and Expense of the diet were just not practical for the long term. The only thing they can really help you with is to come away with a few healthy recipes. — Anonymous	01/19/2010 - 6:38pm
I agree simple menu plan using leftovers for next day lunch is a great idea. Actually, I don't mind eating leftovers for a few dinners. I don't need lots of variety - just want to eat simple healthy foods I like...(diabetic) and lose weight. — Anonymous	01/14/2010 - 11:18pm