In the past, food plans were created based on national averages. But as we now know, not everyone has the same needs and wants when it comes to their diet. More personalized nutrition plans can help with weight loss and lead to better overall health. 

By Peter McCarthy

for Assorted Ideas, Large & Small

Personalized diets take into account your unique needs and preferences. That’s important because people have different lifestyles that affect nutrition. The focus of a personalized diet is to create an individualized plan for you – not one size fits all. A personalized nutrition plan takes into account both physical activity levels as well as metabolic rate so you have a good idea of what works best.

What is a personalized nutrition plan and how does it work?

A personalized nutrition plan caters specifically to your individual needs. The Mayo Clinic has well-defined steps for creating a personalized diet:

1) Decide how much time you have available to spend on food preparation. Eating out might be easier but it can also mean eating more calories than you want/need, along with higher sodium. 

2) Think about your usual grocery shopping habits and whether you like to cook or eat out more often. This makes a big difference in the types of foods you’ll need at home for meal preparation.

3) Jot down some notes about how busy you are on an average day and what types of food seem convenient during times of high activity or high stress. For example, do you have a sweet tooth late in the day? Or are you always on the run and grab a protein bar for an afternoon snack? Make note of it.

4) Take a closer look at your goals for weight loss and fitness level, since these play a role in determining your calorie needs. If you’re looking to lose weight, aim to consume 500-1,000 fewer calories each day than you need to maintain your current weight. You can also use a calorie calculator to get a more specific estimate of how many calories you should be eating each day.

5) Consider any health conditions or food allergies you might have and consult with a doctor. Based on your medical history, it may be worth asking for a referral to a dietitian who can help you work through the details of healthier meal planning.

Once you have all this information, you’ll have a much better idea about how many calories you should eat each day and what types of foods are best suited for meals and snacks.

How to find out your unique nutritional needs?

The best way to figure out your specific nutritional needs is to consult with a doctor or registered dietitian. However, there are some general steps you can take to get started:

Track what you eat for a few days. This will give you an idea of how many calories you’re currently eating and might also reveal some unhealthy habits. Write down which of your meals and snacks include healthy choices. Variety is key for a well-balanced diet. You don’t have to limit yourself from having favorite unhealthy foods but just make sure they’re not a daily habit. Keep track of any symptoms you experience, such as fatigue or skin breakouts, that seem to improve or worsen depending on what you eat.

Do it yourself?

Find quick tips and plans for planning your way here:

Why you should get a personalized nutrition plan

First of all, it’s not one-size-fits-all and this is why:

1) People have different lifestyles that affect their nutritional needs. The best way to create the ideal diet for your specific situation is to have a personalized nutrition plan.

2) Different foods work better for different people. What works well for one person’s metabolism might not work as well for another person.

3) Everyone has different goals when it comes to their health and weight. A personalized nutrition plan can help you meet your specific goals instead of following a generalized diet.

4) People have different tolerances for certain foods. For example, you might be able to eat a lot of carbohydrates without gaining weight, while your friend can’t eat more than one serving without feeling bloated.

5) Certain medical conditions or allergies need to be considered when creating a personalized nutrition plan. For example, people with food allergies or intolerances may need to eliminate certain foods from their diet.

The benefits of getting a personalized diet for health and well-being

1) People who choose to make healthier food choices based on their own personal preferences are more likely to succeed at losing weight and keeping it off. This is a key benefit of a personalized nutrition plan over a broad diet that doesn’t take into account your needs or wants.

2) It’s easier to stick with a diet when you’re able to incorporate your favorite foods. A customized diet allows you to have the best of both worlds – healthy food options that are right for your body and taste preferences you can enjoy.