How to Plan a Diet Schedule

Starting any diet can be a difficult change for you and your family. One way to help ensure your success with the change of diet is to plan a diet schedule. There are many things that you can do to easily arrange your new dietary needs into a workable schedule.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Decide when you are going to eat. Part of making a diet schedule work is actually scheduling when to eat. Training your body to eat at the same times every day will help with problems such as hunger or fatigue. Whether it is every four hours or three solid meals a day, set it into your schedule.
2. Know what foods will benefit your body the most. Foods high in fiber will make you feel full longer. Pushing whole grain cereals and wheat or multi-grain toast in the morning with protein will jump start your day with long lasting benefits.
3. Eat a lighter lunch. Eating light does not mean eating less. Lunch is the perfect time of day to pack in vegetables and fruits. The vegetables give your body the nutrients it needs to keep working through the afternoon and the fruits provide the sugars to give you a little boost. Plus, you will have time to exercise off the natural sugars in the fruits throughout the rest of the day.
4. Mix it up for dinner. As you are nearing bed time, consider adding foods that do not energize your body as intensely. Prepare a well rounded meal that includes some protein, dairy, vegetables and carbohydrates. This will fill you up but also help your body prepare to slow down for the evening.
5. Understand how the different foods affect your body. Your meat should be lean, vegetables green, and choose low or non fat dairy products in your meal planning. Keep an eye on the amount of cholesterol and sodium in the different foods and how they are prepared.
6. Cut your fats and use healthier alternatives. Try to avoid trans fats and eat higher protein foods like peanuts and fish. Use different spices to liven up food instead of fattening grease or breading.
7. Remember to do everything in moderation. Part of a good diet schedule is monitoring how much of the foods you are actually eating. Be aware of portion sizes and know if your body is craving food or water. The feeling is the same for both needs, so keep drinking liquids through each meal and in between your scheduled eating times.

Tips & Warnings

• Change up your menu, as eating the same things everyday will set you up for failure. Give your body the variety it craves.
• Condiments can ruin a healthy meal. For example, salad dressings alone can have more calories than the whole meal. Read the labels carefully before sprucing up your main dish with high calorie additions.