Seattle Sutton’s Healthy Eating (SSHE) offers three different meal plans, so how do you know which meal plan is the best fit for you? There are several factors to consider in order to determine which SSHE plan is going to be the best plan for you. The three different meal plans are our signature 1200-calorie and 2000-calorie structured, dietitian-designed meal plans, and our new Choose Your Own Meals (CYOM) plan. All three plans have a signature menu option (includes both meat and fish), a no-seafood option, and a plant-based vegetarian option (does not include meat or fish).

Determining what you want to accomplish with the SSHE meal plan is a good place to start.

Are you looking for Weight Loss or Maintenance?

Refer to the questions below to determine the most appropriate calorie plan. Do you want to maintain your weight or are you simply looking to improve your health? Are you trying to control a chronic health condition? Luckily, all SSHE plans are similar regarding nutrient content. And all plans fit the guidelines set forth by major medical organizations including the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the American Heart Association and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This means that if you suffer from diabetes, high cholesterol, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, high triglycerides or etc., then SSHE can help manage such conditions. If you do not have those conditions, then eating SSHE meals can help prevent them from developing in the first place.

Are you looking for Convenience?

All three plans are packaged the same, and offer the most nutritious and most convenient meals available on the market. SSHE provides 3 fresh meals per day, for 4- or 7-days a week. Because our meals include fresh fruits and vegetables, our 7-day meal plans are split into two deliveries per week. These twice-weekly packages contain everything you need (minus fat-free/low-fat milk) for the entire week. 

Are you looking for More Variety?

All SSHE plans offer variety. Every calorie plan offers 105 different meals, which equates to eating the same meal only 10 times over the course of an entire year. This also means a variety of vitamins are obtained by eating lots of different fruits, vegetables, dairy, lean meats and fish (if you choose the signature plans), beans, nuts and seeds. And variety is a key component to a healthy, varied diet.

Assess your Calorie Needs for Weight Loss

If you are choosing SSHE for weight loss, it is essential to choose the meal plan with fewer calories than what you are currently eating, or currently burning off. To determine your calorie needs for safe weight loss, use our calculator below. For a more accurate assessment, you can enlist the help of our registered dietitians.

Generally speaking, women tend to lose weight easily on the 1200-calorie plan, while men tend to lose weight easily on the 2000-calorie plan. However, every person and every situation is different. It is important to keep your activity level in mind. If you are extremely active with exercise or in your daily job, the higher calorie plan may be right for you. And if you are relatively sedentary, then the 1200-calorie plan may be more appropriate for weight loss.

Still Unsure about Calorie Needs?

If you are still unsure on what calorie level to choose, you might want to take the step down approach. Many customers start with the 2000-calorie plan and monitor their weight loss. If they are happy with their weekly progress, they can continue. If they want to see better results on the scale, the step down to the 1200-calorie plan may be appropriate. Inversely, there is the step up approach. If you see progress happening too fast, or you find yourself not satisfied with only 1200 calories, you can move to the 2000. Keep in mind the 1200 and 2000-calorie plans contain the same foods, just different portion sizes.

Vegetarian Choices for Weight Loss

If you are a vegetarian and want weight loss, our 1200 calorie, 2000 calorie, and Choose Your Own Meal plans all have a plant-based vegetarian option. Our plant-based vegetarian menu is considered lacto-ovo, meaning they contain eggs and milk and should not be considered "vegan." If your calorie needs do not align with our 1200 or 2000 calorie meal plans, there are a couple options. You could choose to eliminate the milk from the plan to decrease calories, or you could add 2 to 3 servings of nuts to the plan, which can add 200-400 calories per day.

Measuring Weight Loss

The best measure of how well you are succeeding at weight loss is the number on the scale. It is important to monitor your weight on a weekly basis at least. This will give you the best indication of whether your current calorie level is helping you get to your goals. After all, weight loss comes down to expending more calories than taking in, therefore creating a deficit.

An unhealthy, unbalanced diet has been scientifically proven to contribute to many of these chronic conditions and to promote obesity and other health concerns. All SSHE plans, in combination with a physician approved regimen, can help control blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugars and electrolyte levels while reducing weight and overall body fat safely.

Now that have a better idea of what to look for when selecting a plan, check out our healthy meal plan options to see which will be best for your weight loss and healthy living goals! Still stuck? Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have!