What's Necessary and Unnecessary for 1500 calorie healthy eating meal plans.
Calorie restricted eating plans commonly begin with one of two mistakes. People try to eliminate a food group or they try to overindulge in a food group. A meal plan, despite the number of calories, cannot be considered healthy if it is not balanced.
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), a balanced diet is “the right types and amounts of foods and drinks to supply nutrition and energy.” Those foods, which are necessary for those essential purposes, are found in all of the food groups.
Maintaining a calorie restricted diet is already difficult. Any plan that limits a person to 1500 calories will require discipline and planning. There is no need to aggravate the situation by also trying to develop abnormal and unhealthy eating habits.
Defying Structure
Lack of variety and preference can spell doom for calorie restricted diets. There are a lot of individuals and businesses that have outlined 1500 calorie healthy eating meal plans. At best, these usually give either-or choices. And, often those choices do not have the slightest resemblance to people’s normal eating habits.
1500 calorie healthy eating meal plans do not have to be pre-defined. It is not necessary to take orders as to when and what to eat. Since eating preferences are so varied, it’s more encouraging to use guidance to develop customized plans than to follow someone’s regimen—even if it is outlined for a week.
Food and Eating Times
Leave as much liberty in your eating plan as possible. You may not want to consume your 1500 calories like another person consumes her’s. As long as a healthy balance is maintained, you should be able to achieve your goals in the most natural and pleasant way possible.
Some people feel the need for a lot of fuel in the morning and like to eat light at night. Eating plans that restrict calories do not need to change that. It is also not necessary for a person to live waiting until the next occasion when she is allowed to eat.
If you eat snacks, you should include snacks into your plan. If you normally skip lunch, you shouldn’t be required to eat lunch because of a calorie restricted plan. If you did not have lunch one day that does not mean your plan cannot include it the next day. A 1500 calorie eating plan allows a person to eat 1500 calories per day. Those calories do not have to be consumed at the same time or by eating the same foods every day.
The Planning
Even though liberty is encouraged, it’s called an eating plan because some work is required. To customize an eating plan, it is necessary to know how many calories are in the foods that you eat.
When you begin making 1500 calorie healthy eating meal plans, you should make use of calorie counters and menus. These are available free on the Internet and will provide the calorie content in most foods, even those that are already prepared.
You may want to have a peanut butter sandwich at 2pm, which is permissible if you know that two slices of whole wheat bread will deduct 140 calories from your daily total and one tablespoon of peanut butter will cost you another 20. If you are in the mood for fish and eggs, this can fit your daily plan as long as you know that two large boiled eggs and 5oz of broiled halibut will cost you 353 calories.
Counting calorie is where a good plan begins. It can be a bit tedious in the beginning. Eventually, it will get much easier because you will know the content of individual foods. With this knowledge adhering to the plan will become easier because you will be able to easily make spontaneous creations.
Keeping It Healthy
Freedom to choose should involve healthy choices. Calorie restriction without consideration for nutrition is counter productive.
- Limit your fat. UMMC advises that total fat intake no more than 20 – 35 percent of calories. This includes good fats like nuts and fish. Your fat intake should only approach 35% if your plan is loaded with good fats.
- Keep trans fatty acids at a minimum. This includes unhealthy foods like potato chips, processed foods, and those that are fried.
- Do not eat too much sugar. Remember that sugar comes in different forms. Try to avoid sodas, candy bars, and pastries.
References
University of Maryland Medical Center: Balanced Diet https://www.umm.edu/ency/article/002449all.htm
Changing Shape: Heart Healthy Meal Plan (1500 Calorie) https://www.changingshape.com/dietandnutrition/mealplans/plans/1517.asp