For actress and entrepreneur Sarah Michelle Gellar, health has always been a top priority. However, like many of us, she’s faced the challenge of balancing her health goals with a demanding career and a busy family schedule.
“As a busy mom constantly working towards health goals, I was searching for a way to streamline my weekly meal prep,” she shares. That’s when the newly launched MyFitnessPal Meal Planner caught her attention, offering a solution to transform how she—and others—approach nutritious eating.
“The idea of having a tool that could help me plan balanced meals, create efficient shopping lists, and provide recipes was incredibly appealing,” says Gellar.
“I thought it could help me make the most of my weekly grocery trip on Sundays and ensure I have healthy options ready for the week ahead, including packed lunches.”
Gellar’s motivation to try the meal planner reflects a common challenge. Many people feel overwhelmed by dietary decisions and seek meals that are personalized, nutritious, and fit seamlessly into their busy lives.
But did MyFitnessPal’s meal planner live up to its promise? Here’s what Gellar discovered after putting the new feature to the test.
1. Reducing Food Waste and Maximizing Grocery Efficiency
One of Gellar’s favorite features is how the meal planner helps her use ingredients more efficiently.
“It encourages me to use ingredients across multiple recipes, which is great for items like fresh herbs or leeks that might otherwise go to waste,” she explains.
Why does this matter?
Food waste is not only bad for budgets but also a significant contributor to household food waste (1, 2).
The meal planner thoughtfully organizes shopping lists, ensuring that what you buy for one recipe can be used in others. This is particularly helpful for reducing waste with fresh produce like fruits and vegetables, which often spoil quickly (1).
For example, with the meal planner, you might buy a bag of bell peppers and see them incorporated into two or three meals throughout the week.
By linking similar ingredients across recipes, the meal planner helps reduce food waste, save money, and minimize unused food at the end of the week. It’s a benefit that supports both your wallet and the environment.
You Might Also Like
Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Blueberry Overnight Oats Are the Perfect Breakfast
2. Bringing Structure and Support to Health Goals
“As someone who thrives on structure when it comes to cooking, I find the meal planner incredibly useful,” says Gellar. “It provides me with recipes and guidance, which is exactly what I need.”
She also notes that it helps her stay on track with her health goals, such as increasing her protein intake—a priority as she incorporates more strength training into her fitness routine.
How does the meal planner support your nutrition goals?
The meal planner tailors meal suggestions to your specific dietary preferences, calorie targets, macronutrient goals, and more. You can customize preferences like high-protein, Mediterranean-style, or vegetarian meals, and the planner provides recipes with detailed nutritional information.
Rather than generic nutritional advice, the planner offers personalized meals and recipes that align with your health and fitness plans, helping you make better progress toward your goals (3).
Additionally, the planner seamlessly syncs with your MyFitnessPal diary. With just a few taps, your meals are logged, making food tracking effortless.
For those striving for consistency in their dietary habits, this structure can mean the difference between frustration and success.
3. Convenience for a Hectic Schedule
“I selected the option for recipes that take 30 minutes or less to prepare—and the meal planner delivered,” says Gellar.
As any working parent knows, lack of time can make healthy eating and home cooking a challenge (4).
Meal planning and prep can be particularly time-consuming, especially when aiming for specific health goals.
Gellar emphasizes, “The meal planner fits into my packed schedule and respects my time constraints for home cooking!”
Each week’s meals are tailored to fit your schedule as well as your goals. If you only have 30 minutes between soccer practice and answering emails, the meal planner ensures you’re not wasting time searching for recipes or preparing lengthy, complicated meals.
You can batch-cook, use leftovers, and let the shopping list generator streamline your grocery trip. This time-focused approach makes healthy eating achievable, even when life gets unpredictable.
You Might Also Like
Sarah Michelle Gellar’s High-Protein Buddha Bowl Is a Must-Try
4. Confidence in Nutritious, Family-Friendly Meals
Eating well is about more than counting calories—it’s about nourishing yourself (and your family) with food you can feel good about.
“I feel confident about the recipes I make from the meal planner,” says Gellar. “I know I’m putting nutritious meals on the table for myself and my family. It’s easier for us to bring our best selves to other areas of life!”
How does the meal planner help?
Recipes are curated with nutrition and balance in mind, complete with detailed descriptions and portion sizes. With the meal planner, you won’t have to guess whether what you’re cooking is a healthy choice.
Additionally, the meals are designed to please the whole family. Say goodbye to cooking multiple dishes!
If you or a family member have food allergies or simply dislike certain ingredients like seafood or peanuts, you can exclude those items from your meal plan. This ensures everyone can enjoy the same tasty meals together while staying on track with their health goals.
Meal Planning Supports Health Goals (and Sanity)
“Health has become an even bigger priority for me since having kids,” Gellar says. “It’s not just about looking good. I want to live a healthy, long life, set a good example for my children when it comes to a positive relationship with food, and have more control over what my family eats and how they nourish their bodies.”
She’s not alone. Numerous studies support the benefits of consistent home cooking:
- Improved overall nutritional quality, including higher intake of fruits and vegetables (5)
- Reduced risk of obesity and diabetes (6)
- Cost savings compared to eating out (7)
- Stronger family connections and bonding (8)
Meal planning makes these benefits accessible by creating structure around what you eat and how you shop.
Of course, everyone has off weeks or the occasional pizza night, but planning ahead ensures these occasions are the exception rather than the norm.
The Bottom Line
“Let’s be real: I don’t have it all together all the time,” Gellar admits. Yet, even while juggling parenting and a demanding career, she’s made meal planning a priority.
“It’s about nourishing my family with homemade meals within the constraints of a busy schedule,” she says.
“That’s why meal planning is so important. It helps me make the most of my limited time and ensures we have healthy options throughout the week, even on the busiest days.”
“But it’s not about perfection,” she emphasizes. “I’m not serving Instagram-worthy meals every night. What I need are nutritious, doable options that fit into real life.”
For Gellar, the MyFitnessPal Meal Planner has become an essential tool for maintaining balance. It helps reduce stress, minimize food waste, and serve meals that she and her children can feel good about.
Her final verdict? A solid “10/10” and a strong recommendation!
Curious how the new MyFitnessPal Meal Planner can transform your weekly routine? Try the Meal Planner feature today!
The Honest Review of MyFitnessPal’s Meal Planner by Sarah Michelle Gellar first appeared on the MyFitnessPal Blog.
