Want to Try Meal Planning but Not Sure Where to Start? A Dietitian Breaks It Down

The USDA's MyPlate food guide recommends filling half your plate with fruits and vegetables, a quarter with whole grains, and a quarter with lean protein. This is known as the 50/25/25 rule, and it not only helps you portion your meals, but also helps you plan your shopping list.

While creamy and salty sauces can be delicious, they're not the healthiest additions to your plate. Plan out how you're going to season your dishes, too, and lean on fresh fruit juices, herbs, and spices for light and satisfying options.

If you've chosen a dish you know can double as lunch the next day, double your recipe. And if there's little risk that you'll grow tired of eating the same foods throughout the week, consider adding that dish to your meal plan twice to save some time and effort on meal prep.

Don't wing it at the grocery store. Instead, plan out your meals, and then make a grocery list containing everything you'll need to prepare your foods for the week. This way, you aren't tempted to buy anything you don't need, and you can avoid any last-minute supermarket runs.

There are a slew of meal planning resources available that can help you on your quest to eat healthier. If you're having a hard time meal planning on your own, investing in a meal planning book like 52-Week Meal Planner ($11) can be a lifesaver.