Meal Plans

Abstract

Structuring an easy to set-up and follow meal plan may assist patients in their efforts to lose and control weight with a MedDiet. One effective way to do this is to show patients how to arrange the meals and foods they find appealing within the diet in a fashion that is easy to visualize, follow, and modify. The steps that this entails and an example of a structured meal plan follow. Importantly, when a patient is using a MedDiet for weight loss, they should be instructed that they do not need to deprive themselves of any of the delicious foods contained in the diet. However, they do need to practice moderation in their portions at meal time and to minimize or eliminate between-meal snacking (see Chap. 9 for more information on dieting for weight loss). Table 16.1 should be referenced when discussing the following steps: