A good meal plan starts with a clear, achievable goal, not with a constraint imposed on you.

Which goal?

• Maintaining your weight and your energy levels.
• Losing weight gently.
• Gaining mass or muscle tone.
• Improving your overall health and wellbeing.

The SMART method

A good goal is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound. For example: “eat vegetables with every lunch for a month” is far better than a vague “eat better”.

A reminder: for any goal linked to a medical condition or to significant weight loss, get support from a healthcare professional.

Key takeaway: a precise, gradual goal is one you can keep up over time. A small, consistent step beats a big effort you abandon.