If you're ready to lose weight, making a weekly menu can help you stick to your diet. A weekly diet menu should include breakfasts, lunches and dinners, as well as snacks, that fit within your desired total calorie range. Diet meal plans can range from 1,200 to 1,800 calories daily, depending upon your size and activity level, or can be used to restrict fat or carbohydrates.
Types
Make a weekly menu that fits into your diet, whether you opt for a reduced-calorie diet, a reduced-carbohydrate plan or a vegetarian diet. Your weekly menu plan should include breakfasts, lunches, snacks and dinners, recommends "Fitness" magazine. If you're planing for a whole family, adapt your diet meals to feed the whole family with simple modifications.
Time Frame
Make a menu each week. Save time by repeating and rearranging meals or snacks that fit within your calorie or diet guidelines. You may be content to reuse the same menu week after week, or may prefer to make several menus and rotate them to avoid diet boredom. Make four weekly diet menus to allow for a more interesting and varied diet, recommends "Eating Well" magazine.
Function
Meal plans help you to stick to your diet, reducing unplanned snacking, pizza deliveries and take out. You may also find a diet meal plan keeps you on budget, reduces skipped meals and saves time on meal preparation. Check your meal plan each week and chop vegetables, prepare meats or make a pot of soup for lunches. You can integrate an occasional meal out or special splurge into your diet plan.
Size
Planning your menu can help you to monitor your calorie intake or portion sizes. If you opt for a 1,500-calorie a day diet, expect around 300 calories for breakfast, 400 for lunch and 500 for dinner, with approximately an additional 300 calories per day for snacks or larger meals, recommends "Fitness." Distribute your calories, fat grams or carbohydrates throughout the day, depending upon the diet you choose.
Benefits
Restrictive diets and busy daily lives make it difficult to get the nutrition you need. Plan your meals to include ample amounts of fruits and vegetables, as well as adequate levels of protein, iron and calcium. Include an occasional treat, like a small amount of dark chocolate to round out your diet and add additional antioxidants. Consult with your health care provider if you have special health concerns or conditions that may require a special diet.
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