These meal plans are often created with input from a registered dietitian or healthcare provider. Some may be geared toward managing a specific health condition, such as type 2 diabetes or heart disease. Others meal plan to stick to a food budget or map out meals for an entire family, says Alix Turoff, RD, the New York City–based host of the Alix Turoff Nutrition Podcast.

Or an athlete may plan their meals to ensure that they get enough of the nutrients they need to perform. Some people follow a meal plan with a specific outcome in mind, such as weight loss or cholesterol improvements. “It can take the guesswork out of dinnertime, help you to stick to a budget, and help keep your nutrition goals on track,” says Stacey Simon, MS, RDN, who offers counseling through her New York City practice. Meal planning is the process of building a weekly menu to best suit your nutritional needs. This approach ensures that you’re never left wondering what’s for dinner. Rest assured there’s a better way to feed yourself and your family: meal planning. Often, people end up scraping together last-minute meals or throwing in the hat and ordering food delivery. Figuring out what to eat every day can be stressful, especially when already juggling a busy schedule that includes work, family, and social obligations.

Weekly meal snack planner template