For actress and entrepreneur Sarah Michelle Geller, eating well has long been a priority.
But like many of us, she struggles to balance her busy career and her busy family schedule demands and health goals.
“As a busy mom who is constantly working towards her health goals, I was looking for ways to streamline her weekly meal preparation,” she says. That’s when it was released myfitnessspal meal planner Get her attention and provide solutions to change how she and the rest of us apply a nourishing diet.
“The idea of having tools to help plan a balanced meal, create an efficient shopping list and provide recipes was really appealing,” Gellar said.
“I thought it might help me make the most of my one big shopping trip on Sunday and make sure I’m ready for the next week.
Her motivation to try out a meal planner reflects the general challenges. Many people get tired of being overwhelmed by food decisions. They want a personalized, nutritious and a meal that fits seamlessly into a busy life.
But did myfitnesspal meal planner fulfill that promise? Here’s what Gellar discovered after putting new features in his tests:
1. Reduce food waste and maximize food efficiency
One of Gellar’s favorite features is how meal planners can help them use their groceries more efficiently.
“We encourage the use of ingredients in multiple recipes, which are great for items like fresh herbs and green onions that can otherwise be wasted,” she explains.
Why is this important?
Waste food is bad for the huge contributors to budgets and household food waste.1,2)!
With a meal planner, the ingredients list is thoughtfully organized, so multiple recipes will be used to buy on your next grocery shopping trip.
This is especially important to reduce waste of fresh produce, such as fruits and vegetables.1).
For example, using a meal planner, you can buy a bag of peppers and see them pop up in two or three dishes throughout the week.
The efficient use of this produce is burned into the tools. By connecting similar ingredients throughout the recipe, meal planners can help reduce food spoilage, save grocery money, and throw away unused food on weekends.
It’s an advantage that supports both your wallet and the environment.
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2. Bringing structure and support for health goals
“As someone who likes structure when it comes to cooking, I think a meal planner can be extremely helpful,” says Gellar. “It gives me recipes and guidance. That’s exactly what I need.”
She also shares that it will help her health goals stay on track, including increasing protein intake. That will become a top priority as she focuses on adding more strength training to her fitness routine.
How does a diet planner support your nutritional goals?
Meal planners customize meal choices to suit specific dietary preferences, calorie goals, macro targets, and more.
It can show preferences such as higher protein, Mediterranean style, and vegetarian diet. The meal planner provides each with suggested recipes and detailed nutrition facts.
Instead of following a wide range of nutritional guidelines, personalized nutrition and recipe options mean that every meal supports your individual health and fitness plan. This way you can make better progress towards your goals (3).
The planner also seamlessly syncs to myfitnesspal diary. With just a few taps, your meals are recorded and food tracking is easier.
If you are looking for consistency that will bring about healthy changes in your diet, this structure means the difference between frustration and success.
3. Convenience of busy schedules
“I chose an option that I only wanted a recipe that was under 30 minutes to prepare. The meal planner was delivered,” says Gellar.
Busy experts and parents know that lack of time can make healthy eating and home cooking tougher (4).
Planning and preparing your meals can be the most time-consuming aspect, especially if you have specific health goals in mind.
Gellar said, “Meal planners fit busy schedules and time constraints when it comes to home cooking!”
Each week, you will receive tailored suggestions that respect not only your goals but also your schedule.
If you only have 30 minutes between your soccer practice and work email, your meal planner will ensure you don’t waste time searching for endless online recipes or preparing long, complicated meals.
Batch cooks, leftovers can be used to help grocery list generators speed up their next shopping trip.
This time-focused approach makes healthy eating realistic, even if life becomes unpredictable.
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4. Confidence in nutritious, family-friendly diet
Eating often doesn’t just count calories. It’s about feeding yourself (and your family) with a diet that you can be proud of.
“I feel good about recipes made from a meal planner,” says Gellar. “I know I have nutritious meals on the table for myself and my family, so it’s very easy for us to show off our best selves in other areas of life!”
How does a meal planner increase your food confidence?
The recipe is curated with nutrition and balance in mind, and includes detailed descriptions and portion sizes. Using a meal planner is not a second guess as to whether the dish is actually a good choice.
Furthermore, the dishes are designed to please the crowd. Say goodbye to a special order!
If you or your family has food allergies, or simply hate certain foods like seafood or peanuts, you can add these ingredients to your food list to avoid them in your recipes.
This means that you and your family can enjoy the same delicious meal together while continuing to move forward with your healthy eating goals.
Meal Planning Supports Health Goals (&Sanity)
“After giving birth to a child, health has become an even greater priority for me,” Gellar said. “It’s not just good looking. I want to live a healthy life and live a long life. I want to set a good example for my kids when it comes to healthy relationships with food, and I want to have more control over what my family eats and how they nourish the body.”
She’s not alone. Several studies support the benefits of consistent home cooking:
- Improves overall nutritional qualityIncludes higher intakes of fruits and vegetables (5))
- Reduced risk of developing obesity and diabetes (6))
- Cost reduction Compared to eating out (7))
- Bigger family connections and happiness (8))
With meal planning, these benefits can be accessed by creating structures centered around what you eat and how you store.
Of course, everyone is away from the week or occasionally have Friday night pizzas, but with planning ahead, those meals are no exception, they become exceptions!
Conclusion
“Let’s be real. I don’t always spend time in the world,” says Gerard. Still, as she juggles parenting and a tough career, she made diet a priority.
“It’s about raising my family with home cooking within realistic time constraints,” she says.
“That’s why diet planning is so important. It helps you make the most of your limited time and ensure healthy options throughout the week, even on busy busy days and weeks.”
“But that’s not about perfection,” she emphasizes. “I don’t aim to eat an Instagram-worthy meal every night.
For Gellar, the Myfitnesspal Meal Planner is an integral part of maintaining a balanced life. It helps her to reduce stress, reduce food waste, and provide a meal that will make her (and her children) feel better.
Final review of her meal planner? I highly recommend “10/10”!
Are you interested in how the new myfitnesspal meal planner can change your weekly routine? Please try it Meal planner Function now!
Sarah Michelle Gellar’s honest review post for MyFitnessspal Meal Planner first appeared on the MyFitnessspal blog.
