Will a Nutrition Coach Give Me a Meal Plan?

A frequent question we encounter here at Macros Inc is: “Will a coach give me a meal plan?” The succinct response is, no. But before you jump to conclusions, let’s dive deeper into the rationale behind our approach.

Understanding the ‘Why’

The heart of this topic reminds me of the old adage: “Give a man a fish, and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he eats for a lifetime.” So, when someone provides you with a strict meal plan, what genuine learning are you gaining from it?

Consider these scenarios:

• You’re on vacation or in a social setting where your prescribed foods aren’t available. How would a rigid meal plan guide you then?
• What if the meal plan contains foods you truly despise? This could deter your adherence to the program.
• Imagine sharing a special meal with your loved ones or suddenly needing to travel for work.

As coaches, our role isn’t to spoon-feed you but to empower you to make informed choices amidst the ever-changing scenarios of life. We strive to aid you in navigating various situations and offer multiple strategies to achieve your fitness aspirations.

Customization Over One-Size-Fits-All

The approach at Macros Inc opposes the ‘one-size-fits-all’ methodology. We understand that every individual is unique, with distinct objectives. Thus, a plan should be molded to fit you rather than you trying to mold into a plan.

Our Approach: Structuring Your Meals

Here’s a basic framework we might introduce:

1. Identify Your Common Foods: Jot down the foods you frequently consume, categorizing them by macros: Fats, Carbs and Protein
2. Determine Your Meal Structure: Maybe 3 meals and 2 snacks work best for you.
3. Allocate Your Macros: Divide your macros among the selected meals and snacks, allowing flexibility to swap meals and counter monotony.
4. Stay Organized: Once set, create custom entries for each food and save them to your MM+ favorites for easy access.

We also happily provide resources, tools, or technologies to simplify your journey. As they say, the easiest way to foster a habit is to make it effortless. Various apps and services can assist you in devising a personalized meal plan based on your macros or even outsourcing meal preps if you’re financially comfortable.

Meal Prep Companies:

• Clean Simple Eats Kitchen
• Icon Meals
• Flex Pro Meals

Meal Planning Tools/Apps:

• Eatthismuch.com
• ChatGPT (Make sure to double check any macro or calorie numbers given!)
• Macros Inc Guide to Meal Planning on a Budget
• Macros Inc Guide on Meal Prep for Weight Loss

The Power of Awareness and Autonomy

Sure, adjusting to tracking your food intake can be challenging initially. Yet, this practice is instrumental in understanding macros. The aim isn’t to obsessively weigh every gram forever. Instead, it’s about fostering awareness of your food’s content, granting you the liberty to make diverse healthy choices and eventually attaining and preserving your physique goals.

Caution: Relying solely on a rigid meal plan can stifle your learning and induce dependency. Furthermore, adhering to the same food regimen for prolonged periods isn’t sustainable. Moreover, in the US, only a registered dietician is legally permitted to prescribe meal plans. While some may bypass this rule, their qualifications remain dubious.

Our Goal at Macros Inc

Rather than dispatching a generic list of foods, we aim to educate. Our intent is to ensure you enhance your health, achieve your physique goals, and relish your meals. We champion the idea of celebrating with family and friends, rejoicing in life’s myriad moments.