Regular Eating Planner
A CBT-E informed daily planner for scheduling three meals and snacks at regular intervals, recording actual eating times, thoughts and feelings without calorie counting.
2-page fillable PDF · US Letter (prints on A4) · CBT-E informed
- Approach / concern
- Body Image & Eating
- Technique
- CBT-E informed
- Format
- Fillable PDF, 2 pages (US Letter / A4)
- Access
- Pro and Advanced plans (3-day free trial)
- For
- Licensed clinicians to use with clients
- Updated
- October 2026
Key facts
What is the Regular Eating Planner?
Regular eating means eating three planned meals and two or three planned snacks each day, with no more than about three to four hours between them. In enhanced CBT for eating disorders (CBT-E), establishing regular eating is one of the first and most important steps, because it displaces binge eating and disrupts the cycle of dietary restraint.
Why it works
Irregular eating and strict dieting rules are major maintaining factors for binge eating and bulimic symptoms. Regular eating is a central early intervention in CBT-E and guided self-help for binge eating (Fairburn, 2008; Fairburn, 2013), and changes are often seen within weeks.
When to use it
- Binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa
- Disordered eating with skipped meals
- Early CBT-E or guided self-help
- Alongside dietetic support
How to use it in session
- Explain the rationale: regularity first, food content later.
- Help the client set planned times around their schedule.
- Encourage recording close to eating, without calorie details.
- Review patterns and barriers each session.
- Coordinate with medical and dietetic professionals as needed.
Clinician tips
- Avoid weighing or calorie talk on this sheet; it can fuel preoccupation.
- Normalize initial fullness and anxiety.
- For anorexia nervosa or medical risk, use within a specialized team.
Worked example
Sharing with clients
Members can download the PDF to print or email, or copy a private client link from the download box. Your client opens the link and downloads the worksheet on any device. No client account is needed, and nothing your client writes is stored on TherapyAid.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to eat if I’m not hungry?
In early recovery, hunger signals are often unreliable. Eating at planned times helps them return over time.
Is this a meal plan?
No. It focuses on timing. Food choices and amounts are addressed separately, often with a dietitian.
References
Fairburn, C. G. (2008). Cognitive behavior therapy and eating disorders. Guilford Press.
Fairburn, C. G. (2013). Overcoming binge eating (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.
This worksheet is an educational tool for use by, or under the guidance of, a licensed or registered mental-health professional. It is not a diagnostic instrument or a substitute for clinical judgement. If a client is in crisis in Canada, call or text 9-8-8 or call 9-1-1.
