What is it about January that makes people want to start over or try something new? This is the time of year when we’re very serious about new leaves and better habits. We “resolve” to do something better, different or more often, and very frequently our resolutions involve food.

That’s where I come in! January is typically the busiest month of the year for the nutrition consulting part of my business. I see people who want direction and support in launching their resolutions: achieving better overall health, or more specific goals such as losing weight or introducing more vegetables into their diets. What’s the most common piece advice I give?

Plan your meals in advance.

In the past 12 years working with clients, I’ve found that planning is the biggest predictor of success when it comes to maintaining resolutions to eat healthfully. It's also the other key part of my business: Helping people thoroughly plan their meals in advance like this.

So here's the easiest way to make your resolutions stick in 2010 and it's so effective that you might want to add it to your list of resolutions.

Plan a week’s worth of dinners. Get a couple recipes together before your weekly shopping and break them down into grocery shopping lists. And choose recipes that can make good leftovers, or be built it into more, healthy meals. Roast chicken makes great sandwiches later in the week. A hambone from a ham dinner can find usefulness in split pea soup late ron.

Too daunting to plan that much, all at once? That's ok! Then at least plan your dinner for the next night before going to bed. This will enable you to thaw or soak something in advance, or stop by the store for a missing ingredient on your way home. You'll be surprised how much stress thinking ahead like this takes out of your routine.

Because in the absence of advance planning, you’re more likely to head to a restaurant or get take out. You might find something to eat at home, but chances are it isn’t a nourishing meal (perfect example: cereal for dinner. Sound familiar?)  If you plan and shop ahead, you’ll have stress-free, nutritious meals.

By thinking ahead, you can coordinate your meals with your schedule, too. “Who has time to cook?” It's a common defense but in my experience, people really do have time. They just haven't built it into their schedules yet.

After all, most times, we know in advance what our schedules will be for the coming week. TIP: Plan your meals around your week’s activities, rather that trying to fit activities around your meal plan.

Do you know in advance that you'll be getting home late on Wednesday? Make extra food on Tuesday so you’ll have leftovers. Chili and hearty, nourishing stews are nice to come home to after a busy day. Plan a crock-pot meal on the night of your evening class. Choose something quick and easy when the kids have basketball practice on Thursday. Where there’s an activity, there’s a nutritious solution if you think ahead.

New Year's resolutions can lead to better habits and healthier living  -- you just need to build a little planning for good, homecooked meals into your busy life.