Those with EDs: Does it help to plan menus?

[SwimDeep]

A couple of other boards on GBCN have "What's On The Menu For Next Week" type threads, which I have a habit of drooling over, but for some reason I have a hard time justifying the time/expense of cooking good meals. I thought that perhaps I could start a similar but different sort of thread here on Recovery.

Like others here, I struggle with disordered eating habits. I find it helpful at times (especially when I'm stressed out) to plan meals for the week. Partly because if I take a few minutes on a Saturday or Sunday (or whenever I happen to have time) to think about what I would like to eat (that is, which pictures of food make me drool), I am more likely to eat during the week when my mind is otherwise occupied.
Also, the anxiety about going to the grocery store is diminished because I can make a list.

I won't create a thread like this again if it doesn't take. Right now, I'm very aware that I need to eat this week (lots of work and school is going to be happening all at the same time), so I'm posting this primarily for my own accountability.

Without further ado, here is what I'm planning to eat this week:

Breakfast:
    Depending on my mood, I can choose any or all of the following:

• Boiled eggs
• Belvita biscuits
• Seasonal fruit salad (this weeks selection involves strawberries, blueberries, and peaches)
  
• White miso broth
  

Lunch:

• Tuna salad with raw veggies (celery, carrots, snow peas)
• Home-grown tomatoes with cottage cheese
• Green apples and sharp cheddar cheese (with crackers if I feel like I need carbs)

Dinner (this is the meal I usually get excited about):

• Oven-Roasted Trout with Macque Choux (no cream) - and maybe brown rice on the side
  

• This is Macque Choux (i.e., Louisiana's Ratatouille):

• Budget Byte's Sweet Potato, Black Bean, and Chorizo Skillet (with rice and cheese/sour cream):
  

I adjust this recipe to my own tastes, but I truly appreciate Beth's ability to tally up the cost of a recipe. One of my excuses for not eating is that "food costs too much". Budget Bytes takes that excuse away from me.
We double our dinner recipes so that we don't have to cook every night. These two dinners will probably last us the whole week.

AND! I love midnight snacks. I always plan for dark chocolate and cold (2%) milk.

What are you eating this week?

[Deleted]

It doesn't help me. It really triggers my obsessive planning (i.e. i can have four saltines this day) and restricting. With being a newlywed, I've kind of had to plan a little bit in knowing how much food we need to have, and that's cause a bit if issue. But I'm able to step back.

No solid pland for the week. I have a maple mustard roast planned, a thai quinoa salad, and swordfish on the menu this week. But it's easier and better mentally for me to be flexible. That chirozo dish looks yummy. I'll have to give it a try!

[bluefish]

You know, I never really thought about it, but it does. One of my HUGE anxiety triggers is the grocery store. Meal planning gives me a list to focus on, and a purpose. (Less time for the negative thoughts to creep in. )

Meal planning also makes me accountable. I leave the week's menus out on the counter, so H knows what groceries not to snack on. By accountable, I mean there is an expectation of what will be for dinner every night. I sometimes get into cycles where I will purposely be out during meal time. I feel like I don't have to be accountable to or judged by anyone if I do or don't eat, and if the food is healthy.

Meal planning sets a pattern of positive behavior. The only real problem I have with it, is I'm a firm believer of eat when you're hungry, not when you aren't. This typically doesn't follow a traditional meal plan.

If you've read through this, that's one thing I could use help on. How do I politely, yet firmly push back (especially with family) when they insist it's"time to eat! "

Oh the Places You'll Go!
*i am here*

[spedrunner]

I think planning personally helps me, in the beginning, I would create my own weekly calendar (with my nutritionists help)

However, reading things online, and blogs, is a huge trigger for me. I find myself comparing my eats to theirs, which is unhealthy for me .SO I tend to run far away from those posts

[hungrycaterpillar]

Right now, no. When I am healthier and in a good place, yes.

[aba]

It really helped me in the beginning of recovery. Like you, I would make a list of "available" options and then just pick from the list. I really dislike making and sticking to a "strictly" planned menu. My cravings change so much. Will in treatment they also have planned weekly meals so I think planning them myself makes me think of treatment. I'm not sure if that makes sense;)

Do you see a dietitian? I like your dinner options, but the breakfast and lunch items are concerning:-/ Why miso broth for breakfast?

[SwimDeep]

aba - my changing cravings have been a real struggle for me lately. There are times when I just don't feel physically capable of chewing/swallowing, so I'll start with broth. I always make sure I eat more after that. Usually it just helps get me started...kind of wakes up the taste buds.

My thought was that if I planned and prepped food for breakfast/lunch, I would be more likely to eat during the day (my bad habit is to 'forget' to eat all day and then get most of my daily calories at dinner). Unfortunately right now, my stress levels are so high I'm struggling to make healthy food choices. I'm hoping that getting back into the gym tomorrow will spark my appetite.

ETA: I like the idea of seeing a dietician. I'll have to see if I can find one to visit after the end of Summer quarter.

[aba]

That makes sense:) I can relate to that feeling. I remember feeling the same way. Glad you are able to eat more after that though:)