How Do I Choose the Best 2000 Calorie Meal Plan?

Choosing the best 2000 calorie meal plan for you should depend on your nutritional requirements as well as your food budget, cooking skills and taste preferences. Of course, you should make substitutions for any food you're allergic to or can't or won't eat, or choose a different meal plan. It's typically best to eat smaller meals throughout the day to maintain proper blood sugar levels and to help prevent food binging, so a 2000 calorie meal plan that includes two snacks as well as breakfast, lunch and dinner can be a good idea.

If you pick a meal plan that includes about the same division of fat and calories in three meals and two snacks daily, this can have the benefit of becoming a habit for you. A steady supply of food can help keep your appetite in check so you'll feel more energized and less likely to want to overeat. Eating approximately every four hours on a 2000 calorie meal plan can also help stabilize your blood sugar to keep you from feeling weak and reaching for unplanned carbohydrates.

Read over the daily meals to make sure these sound appetizing to you. It's not likely you'll stick to a plan if you don't find at least most of the food appealing. The portion sizes you're expected to eat within the 2000 calorie meal plan should be reasonable and enough to keep you feeling full. Meal plans that include "free" foods, such as salads with non-fat dressing, pickles and raw vegetables, can help you have these items on hand for days when you may want extra food.

If you feel that a basic 2000 calorie meal plan works for you, but it includes some foods you don't like or can't eat, making reasonable substitutions for these items may let you still choose it. You should ensure that a balance among proteins, starches and other nutrition values such as vitamins and minerals occurs in any meal plan you choose. Getting testing done by your doctor to check your iron levels or for conditions such as high blood pressure that may require you to consume less than the average amount of sodium can be a good idea before deciding on a meal plan.

A meal plan that includes healthy new recipes to try can be a great bonus. Make sure you have the cooking skills required so that you don't become frustrated in preparing the dishes and give up on following your 2000 calorie meal plan. The dishes should also fit your lifestyle and the time you have for cooking meals. Consider choosing a meal plan that allows you to make dishes ahead and freeze them for convenience if your time is tight.