Frequently Asked Questions

General

What is the Cooking Light Diet?

The Cooking Light Diet is a subscription-based meal plan designed by our experts to help you diet deliciously. It delivers a calorie-driven weekly meal plan — breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner — based on your weight-loss goals and food preferences. Our mission is to motivate members to live a healthier lifestyle by providing flavorful and nutritious portion-controlled menus that save both time and effort in the kitchen. It’s not a diet — it’s a way of life!

How do I use your website?

New community members should visit the quick-start page or the welcome page for an introduction to getting around and using the Cooking Light Diet website.

Why is your site showing me lunch when I log in?

Depending on the time of day in your location, the meal you’re most likely to eat next will be highlighted on your home page. You can click any meal to see its details.

Am I expected to cook everything on the menus you send me?

Don’t worry! We don’t expect you to prepare 21 meals a week, and we encourage editing to create menus that accommodate your lifestyle. You can indicate you’re having leftovers or dining out whenever you’d like. Simply click the PLAN icon to make substitutions in your menu. Use the labels in the navigation menu to change which meal (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, or Snack) you’re editing.

In order to maintain a balanced diet, we suggest you don’t, for example, swap in pasta for every lunch and dinner. That would result in an excessive amount of carbs. Instead, choose meals with a mix of vegetables and protein to sustain a healthy balance of nutrients throughout the week.

Where do I find the recipe instructions?

When you’re in either PLAN or COOK, just click on any recipe name. In PLAN you’ll see a recipe preview, and in COOK you’ll be in cooking view. Both views include instructions, serving size information, and nutritional details.

I’m cooking for 1-2 people. Will this Diet work for me?

Absolutely! You can cook a suggested recipe and edit your menu to indicate you’ll be repurposing it as leftovers later in the week. You can also edit your Meal Preferences in Settings to indicate you’d like Meals for 2 People, which provides two-serving dinner entrees. We also recommend using the Search feature in PLAN to schedule past meals or find new recipes that use the same proteins, which is a great way to repurpose meat across multiple meals. This in turn might help to limit food waste and reduce your grocery bill. For additional tips, feel free to email us at feedback@cookinglightdiet.com.

I’m feeding my family, too. What do I do about portions?

The individual servings of entrées in the Cooking Light Diet are healthy portions for an adult. We curate recipe choices throughout the day, snacks included, that add up to your recommended calorie goal. Different family members may need larger or smaller portions. Feel free to adjust according to their needs, but keep your own serving size to the amount suggested.

Is it OK if I eat food that isn’t on my weekly menu? And how would I find out how many calories that food has so I can stay on track?

Yes, it is! We provide a foundation upon which you can structure your weekly menus, but you won’t ruin your diet by eating something else in lieu of our suggested recipe. When eating off the plan, focus on consuming the same number of calories as your suggested meal to stay on track. For example, if your menu suggests our 365-calorie Spinach Salad with Steak and Blue Cheese for lunch, you wouldn’t want to consume more than a comparable 365-calorie lunch. You can find calories using nutritional labels on packaged foods, making sure to keep the portion size in mind.

Additionally, more and more restaurants post calories on their menus or websites. We email new members a Dining Out Guide to help them make better choices when eating away from home. Also, thousands of recipe calorie counts are easily searchable via free apps like MyFitnessPal. Again, just make sure whatever you’re substituting is comparable calorie-wise to what you’re replacing.

Why do I receive weekly menu emails on Thursdays?

We’ve found that most people go grocery shopping on the weekend, so we wanted to send those emails out before you head to the store. This also gives you more time to edit menus and plan ahead.

Why does my week start on Sunday and not Monday?

The work week starts for most people on Monday, which means a lot of folks use their Sundays to prep and cook ahead. We feel that starting your menus a day before the work week begins gives you extra time to seize the week so you don’t feel overwhelmed on Monday.

Sometimes what you’re telling me to eat doesn’t match the recipe image. Why is that?

The sides we suggest are selected specifically to accommodate your calorie goal and personalized menu, while the pictures are only meant to show one example of a side dish pairing. So sometimes the image won’t match the suggestions we give you for a particular meal. Just make sure and prepare the suggested side, and not what’s in the image if it’s different.

Is there a Cooking Light Diet app?

No, but we’ve optimized our site to work efficiently on all laptops, computers, mobile phones, and devices. For quick access to the Cooking Light Diet from your mobile phone or tablet, you can add a shortcut to your home screen. Use the address https://www.cookinglightdiet.com for the shortcut, and be sure to check “Remember me” when you sign in to your account.

I live outside of the United States and Canada. How do I subscribe to the Cooking Light Diet?

The Cooking Light Diet is currently available only in the U.S. and Canada.

How do I print recipes?

If you’re in COOK, you can view an individual recipe card and then click the Print Meal button. If you’re in PLAN, click the white Print button. This will take you to a grid view of your week. Use the recipe, day, and meal labels to choose which items you want to print, and then click the blue Print button in the bottom right corner.

Note: Printing is supported from tablets and computers.

How do I turn email notifications on or off?

You can turn your daily and weekly emails on or off in Settings: Account. From any Cooking Light Diet web page, click the Hi NAME button in the menu bar, click Settings, and then click the Account tab. In the Email Updates section, a checked box indicates you will receive an email, while an empty box means you will not. Make sure to click Change Email Updates when you’re done.

Note: To access your Account Settings from a mobile device, follow the link above or click the menu bar at the top left of the screen (3 horizontal lines), click Settings, and then select Account from the dropdown list in the upper right corner of your screen.

How do I change my email address?

You can update your email address in Settings: Account. From any Cooking Light Diet web page, click the Hi NAME button in the menu bar, then click Settings, and then click the Account tab. In the Email address section, click the + Change email address button found below your current email address. Now type the updated email into the New email address field. For your security, you must also enter your current password when changing your email address. When finished, click Save Changes. The next time you login to the Cooking Light Diet, you can do so with the updated email address.

Note: To access your Account Settings from a mobile device, follow the link above or click the menu bar at the top left of the screen (3 horizontal lines), click Settings, and then select Account from the dropdown list in the upper right corner of your screen.

How do I change my password?

You can change your password in Settings: Account. From any Cooking Light Diet web page, click the Hi NAME button in the menu bar, then click Settings, and then click the Account tab. In the Password section, click + Change password. Now, for security purposes, type your current password into the appropriate field, and then your new password into the two fields indicating that information. When satisfied with your new password, click Change Password. The next time you login to the Cooking Light Diet, you’ll use the new password.

Note: To access your Account Settings from a mobile device, follow the link above or click the menu bar at the top left of the screen (3 horizontal lines), click Settings, and then select Account from the dropdown list in the upper right corner of your screen.

I can’t remember my password. What do I do?

You can reset your password by visiting cookinglightdiet.com and clicking the Log In button. Below the sign in form, you’ll see a link that reads, “Forgot your password?” Click that. You’ll then enter the email address you used to sign up for the Cooking Light Diet. After clicking the “Send me password reset instructions” button, you’ll receive an email from us. Open that email and follow the instructions to reset your password. Just remember: If you submit more than one request to reset your password, only the most recently received link/request will work.

Help! What do I do if I’m having technical difficulties?

The Cooking Light Diet community care team is here to help! Reach out to us with any problems or questions by emailing feedback@cookinglightdiet.com.

Features

I’d rather have a different meal. How do I select a different option?

You can make changes to menus by clicking the PLAN button located in the main menu. This will take you to our editing feature. Select the meal type you would like to edit: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, or Snack. You’ll see your remaining meals for this week. If you move your mouse over a specific recipe card, two arrows will appear in the lower right corner of the card, and a shadow appears behind the card. Use the left and right arrows to scroll through other recipe alternatives for that day, including Leftovers and Dine Out. The shadow indicates that you can click and drag that recipe card to a different day during the week if you’d rather prepare that meal some other time. If you’d like to edit two weeks of menus at once, scroll to the bottom of your page and click + Show More. Once you’ve made the desired changes to your menu(s), click the blue Save button. Don’t like any available recipe alternates? Try refreshing your browser page. A new batch of alternatives will take the place of previously recommended dishes each time your browser is refreshed (access them with the blue arrows). Just make sure to save your changes using the blue button at the bottom of the PLAN page when you’re satisfied with your edited menu.

When accessing from a mobile device: Click the menu bar at the top left of the screen (3 horizontal lines) and then select PLAN from the menu. To move a recipe to a different day, first tap the recipe to “pick up” the card, move it to its new location, and then tap again. Since your view in mobile is limited, you can only edit one week of menus at a time. Make sure you click the blue Save button at the top of your screen when you’re satisfied with the edited menu.

Can I search for a recipe that isn’t in my meal plan?

Yes! You can search for main dishes in the Cooking Light Diet recipe database, by recipe title or ingredient. On the PLAN page, first choose the meal type (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, or Snack) and then click the Search tab. Enter a recipe title, an ingredient, or a few ingredients you want to cook together in the search box. Search results will match all of the words you enter. When you find a recipe you like, add it to your meal plan by clicking the calendar icon and choosing the day you want to make that recipe. Search results that don’t match your calorie goal or preferences will be clearly marked, but you can still schedule them if you choose.

I may not care for pork or beef. How can I select which proteins appear in my menus?

You can update which proteins are included in your menus in Settings: Meal Preferences. From any Cooking Light Diet web page, click the Hi NAME button in the menu bar and select Settings. This will automatically open the Meal Preferences tab. Under the box labeled My meal plan can include, check the proteins you want included in your plan. Any undesirables should be left unchecked. When satisfied with your changes, click the blue Create New Meal Plan button. You’ve now customized the proteins that can populate your menus. Just keep in mind that once you click Create New Meal Plan, new menus will be generated to replace any existing menus, including today’s meals.

When accessing from a mobile device: Click the menu bar at the top left of the screen (3 horizontal lines), then click Settings. This will automatically take you to Meal Preferences.

I really enjoyed a previous recipe. How do I find and schedule it into my upcoming menus?

You can view your previous meals in the History tab when you plan. Select the PLAN icon at the top of your page. Then click the History tab. Use the labels in the navigation menu to change which meal (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, or Snack) you’re viewing. Recipes in your history are organized from newest to oldest, making browsing a snap. You can toggle between Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Snacks using the appropriate header. Then you can click on a recipe card to preview its respective prep instructions.

If you’d like to include that recipe in a current or future menu, move your cursor to bottom right of the recipe card. A blue calendar icon will appear. Click that. Now you can reschedule that previous meal into your weeks. When satisfied with your menu, just click the blue Save button. We’ve also added a Search bar to track down previous meals. Looking for a Chicken Tagine recipe you enjoyed? Type “chicken” or “tagine” into the search bar and press enter, or click the magnifying glass. Any recipes you’ve received up to that point in your subscription that match the search terms will appear for you to access, add to your Cookbook, or reschedule in current and future menus.

When accessing from a mobile device: Click the menu bar at the top left of the screen (3 horizontal lines), then click PLAN. Now select the History tab at the top to view previous meals, and switch meals with the dropdown menu in the upper right. The calendar icon for rescheduling a recipe will appear in the top right corner of the recipe image.

How does SHOP work?

SHOP creates a list of recipes and their ingredients, organized by the date the recipes are scheduled. You select the days and meals to include in your list, edit the list contents to include only the recipes you plan to cook and the items you need, and then print or email the final list. You can also add extra items to your list so you just need one list at the grocery store.

I don’t need everything on my shopping list. Can I edit it?

Yes, you can! You can choose which items you want on your grocery list and which you don’t. Select the SHOP icon in the menu bar. Next, you’ll be presented with a grid to select which meals to shop for. You can click the blue labels (dates and meal types) to select or cross off an entire row or column of meals, or you can click individual recipe titles. If you want to shop for two weeks at a time, click the + Show next week button in the bottom left corner of the screen, and then click the days or recipe titles to make them active. Once satisfied with the meals to include in your list, click the blue Create List button in the bottom right corner.

The next page, “Finalize your shopping list,” lets you customize even more. Here you can indicate which ingredients you already have in your fridge or pantry by clicking the ingredient names. This will cause the ingredient name to be crossed out and grayed. This signifies those ingredients won’t appear on your list when you print or email it. You can also select or cross off entire recipes. Finish choosing which ingredients you do and don’t want on your list, and then click either one of the blue Print List or Email List buttons, depending on your preference.

When accessing from a mobile device: Select the SHOP icon in your menu bar at the top left of the screen (3 horizontal lines). Next, select the days and recipes you’d like to include or exclude from your grocery list and then click the blue Create List button. On the next page, cross off the ingredients you don’t need. Once satisfied, click the blue Email List button at the top right of your screen to send yourself the customized list via email.

I’d like to change my daily calorie goal. How would I do that?

You can recalculate your calorie goal in Settings: Meal Preferences. From any Cooking Light Diet web page, click the Hi NAME button in the menu bar and select Settings. Then, click the Plan Preferences tab. In Daily calorie goal, click the blue Recalculate button below your current calorie goal. This will take you back to the questions you answered when registering in order to get an accurate updated calorie goal. After answering the questions, you can manually edit the calorie total if you still want to. When satisfied with your answers, click the red Use This button to update. Just keep in mind that once you click Use This, we will generate entirely new menus starting today, replacing both your current remaining week and next week.

When accessing from a mobile device: Follow the link above, or click the menu bar at the top left of the screen (3 horizontal lines), click Settings, and then select Meal Preferences from the drop-down list on the right. Follow the above steps to recalculate your daily calorie goal.

I have some leftover kale. How do I search for recipes by ingredient so I can incorporate the rest into my meal plan?

You can search for recipes that contain specific ingredients. Click PLAN, then click the Search tab. Type the ingredient name, multiple ingredients, or search by recipe name, and click enter or the magnifying glass icon. You can then schedule recipes you find in your meal plan.

When accessing from a mobile device: Click the menu bar at the top left of the screen (3 horizontal lines), and select PLAN. The search bar will appear toward the top of your screen. Then follow the above steps to search for the ingredient in question.

Dietary

Help, I have a question about one of my meals!

Are you curious about quinoa? Need to know if it’s OK to have leftover spaghetti for a third consecutive night? Want to replace an undesirable ingredient in a recipe but not sure what to substitute? Contact us anytime by emailing your questions to feedback@cookinglightdiet.com. Our community care team will get back to you as soon as possible with a personalized response!

I have a food allergy. Can this work for me?

The Cooking Light Diet supports menus for people with peanut, tree nut, shellfish, gluten, and dairy allergies. You can change these preferences at any time in your Settings. We’re currently working to accommodate people with other sensitivities as well. In the meantime, you can also use the PLAN feature to swap in a dish that doesn’t call for a particular ingredient. In some cases, you can omit that ingredient from the recipe altogether. Feel free to email any additional questions you might have to feedback@cookinglightdiet.com.

Can you support vegetarian or gluten-free diets?

Yes! We support gluten-free and lacto-ovo-vegetarian (including eggs and dairy) diets. You can change these preferences at any time in your Settings. If you have other dietary restrictions not mentioned here and would still like to try the Cooking Light Diet, email our community care team (feedback@cookinglightdiet.com) for advice on how to sync our diet plan with your specific dietary needs, be they vegan, dairy-free, egg-free, or something else.

I have diabetes. Is this diet right for me?

Weight control and weight loss are important to many diabetics. However, we do not have a menu plan that’s specifically tailored for someone with diabetes. If you are diabetic, we strongly recommend consulting your physician before starting this or any diet.

Can I join if I’m pregnant?

The Cooking Light Diet isn’t suitable for pregnant women. We recommend consulting a physician before starting any diet plan while pregnant.

What if I’m breastfeeding? Can I subscribe?

We strongly advise checking with a physician prior to starting this or any other diet while breastfeeding.

Am I supposed to eat all the suggested snacks? When am I supposed to eat them, and what if I just want the same snack everyday?

Yes, the caloric value of your snacks is used to add up to your total calorie goal. Therefore, treat snacks as you would any other meal in your plan. And feel free to enjoy your snacks whenever is convenient for your schedule! Different people have different time constraints, so we encourage you to have your snacks whenever they fit best into your day. You can also schedule the same snack every day using the History tab found in PLAN.

Why can’t I set my calorie goal below 1200 calories?

We understand that you might want to decrease your calorie intake at some point to less than 1200 per day in an effort to speed up your rate of weight loss. However, consuming less than 1200 calories/day can negatively affect your metabolism and deplete your body of nutrients. For that reason, we don’t offer menu plans below the required 1200 calories per day.

How much water should I drink daily?

We recommend that you stay adequately hydrated while using the Cooking Light Diet by consuming water throughout the day. Water recommendations are approximately 12 cups per day for men and 9 cups per day for women. Remember that each person’s needs are unique, and individuals who live in hot climates or have high physical activity levels may need more water. All beverages (with the exception of alcoholic beverages) contribute toward your daily water intake.

What other liquids are OK to drink?

Although Cooking Light does not endorse them, low-calorie beverages (those with ≤5 calories/serving) such as black coffee, diet sodas, unsweetened tea, and sugar-free drink mixes are acceptable beverages in a weight loss plan, and count toward your daily water intake. Low-calorie beverages with caffeine should be consumed in moderation (<400mg total caffeine/day, or, if you are particularly sensitive, <200mg total caffeine/day). Also, remember to account for the calories in any sweeteners, milk, and cream that may be added to coffee and tea in your total caloric intake.

What if I want some milk?

Milk and dairy products provide essential nutrients like calcium, Vitamin D and potassium. The USDA recommends that adults get three servings of fat-free or low-fat dairy products each day. Fat-free (0% or skim) and low-fat (1%) milk are excellent lower-calorie dairy choices. Low-fat and reduced-fat cheeses are also good options. If you don’t consume dairy or are having trouble maintaining your daily calorie goal while getting in three dairy servings, try fat-free or low-fat calcium-fortified beverages such as soy milk, almond milk, or coconut milk. These milks are dairy-free and often offer variations that are lower in calories than fat-free milk (make sure to choose one that is ≤100 calories per 1 cup).

Can I have juice?

Juice that is made with 100% fruit juice can be a good way to get nutrients. However, some juices are not made with 100% fruit juice and may have added sugars and extra calories. In addition, you miss out on fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals that you only get by eating the skin and pulp in whole fruit. If you would like more juice in the Cooking Light Diet, we recommend that you replace one fruit serving per day with ½ cup of 100% juice.

I enjoy a beer or glass of wine with my dinner. Is that fine?

Moderate alcohol consumption can be part of a healthy lifestyle and the Cooking Light Diet, if desired. Moderate alcohol consumption is considered ≤2 drinks/day for a man and ≤1drink/day for a woman. A “drink” is considered one of the following: 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces distilled spirit (80 proof). Alcohol is considered “empty calories,” meaning it provides calories but very few, if any, nutrients. Therefore, it’s important to eat nutrient-rich foods on days when you consume alcohol.

Plan ahead by incorporating the extra calories from alcohol into your total caloric intake by cutting back on sweets, added sugars, and added fats. The best alcoholic beverage options while following a weight loss plan are those that are low in calories (≤130 calories/drink) such as light beer (12 ounce can or bottle), 2/3 cup (5 ounces) of white or red wine, or 1.5 ounces liquor mixed with water, club soda, or other low-calorie beverage (≤5 calories/serving). Avoid liquor drinks mixed with soda, juice, or other sweet mixer because they are higher in calories. Also, remember that men should have ≤2 of these lower calorie options per day and women ≤1.

Billing

What is automatic renewal, and when will I be charged?

The Cooking Light Diet utilizes the convenience of automatic renewal, so you won’t have to hassle with repeatedly providing payment information every three or six months. You will be charged on the day your subscription begins. Depending on whether you choose a quarterly or semiannual plan, your subscription will automatically be renewed on each respective third or sixth month until you elect to cancel. There are no penalties or hidden fees for cancelling. If you do not wish to renew your subscription, just sign in to your account and from any Cooking Light Diet webpage, click the Hi NAME button in the menu bar, and click Settings. Next, select the Subscription tab and click Stop automatic renewal. This will display the date your subscription will effectively end. To confirm turning off your subscription, click the blue Stop Automatic Renewal button. For any other questions concerning automatic renewal, contact us at billing@cookinglightdiet.com.

When accessing from a mobile device: Click the menu bar at the top left of the screen (3 horizontal lines), then click Settings. Next, select Subscription from the dropdown in the upper right corner of your screen. Then follow the steps described above.

What types of payment do you accept?

The Cooking Light Diet accepts all major credit cards—American Express, Discover, Visa and MasterCard-and Apple Pay. We do not accept payments from PayPal, prepaid cards, or checks of any kind.

How do I find out when I’ll be billed again?

You can check the next billing date in your subscription in your Settings. From any Cooking Light Diet web page, click the Hi NAME button in the menu bar, and click Settings. Next, click the Subscription tab. This will display your current subscription term and next bill date.

When accessing from a mobile device: Click the menu bar at the top left of the screen (3 horizontal lines), then click Settings. Next, select Subscription from the dropdown in the upper right corner of your screen. This will display your current subscription term and next bill date.

How do I cancel my plan?

If you do not wish to renew your subscription, just sign in to your account and from any Cooking Light Diet web page, click the Hi NAME button in the menu bar, and click Settings. Next, select the Subscription tab and click Stop automatic renewal. This will display the date your subscription will effectively end. To confirm turning off your subscription, click the blue Stop Automatic Renewal button. Once confirmed, your access will end on the date shown, and you will not be charged again. If you need additional assistance or have questions, please direct them to feedback@cookinglightdiet.com. We’ll respond to you as quickly as possible.

When accessing from a mobile device: Click the menu bar at the top left of the screen (3 horizontal lines), then click Settings. Next, select Subscription from the dropdown in the upper right corner of your screen. Then follow the steps mentioned above.

What happens when I cancel my plan? Will I be refunded?

If you cancel your quarterly or semiannual plan on or before the next billing date, you will not be charged going forward. If you choose to cancel your quarterly or semiannual subscription immediately, you may be eligible for a refund. However, we don’t offer refunds for the current month. More information on our cancellation and refund policy is available per request by contacting feedback@cookinglightdiet.com.

Will I still be able to access my recipes if I cancel my account?

The Cooking Light Diet is a subscription-based service that offers unlimited access to our content as long as you maintain an active subscription. Once a subscription ends, however, you lose access to cookinglightdiet.com and any content therein. Should you choose to renew your subscription at any time after cancellation, you’ll regain access to all content received while your subscription was active via the History feature.

How do I turn my emails off if I’ve cancelled my subscription?

We continue to send you email menus until the end of your paid subscription term. You can turn your daily and weekly emails on or off in Settings: Account, in the Email Updates section. From any Cooking Light Diet web page, click the Hi NAME button in the menu bar, then click Settings, and then click the Account tab. A checked box indicates you will receive an email, while an empty box means you will not. Make sure to click Change Email Updates when you’re done.

Note: To access your Account Settings from a mobile device, follow the link above or click the menu bar at the top left of the screen (3 horizontal lines), click Settings in the menu, and then select Account from the dropdown list in the upper right corner of your screen.

What if you’re not able to bill my card?

If for some reason we’re not able to bill your card, you’ll receive an email notifying you of the problem. Our system will also continue attempting to process payment for up to seven days. If we’re unable to process that payment by the end of that grace period, the subscription will cancel by default.

How do I update my payment information?

You can update your payment method in Settings: Subscription. From any Cooking Light Diet web page, click the Hi NAME button in the menu bar, and click Settings. Next, click the Subscription tab. From there, click the + Change payment method button. Enter your updated payment information and click the blue Save Changes button when finished.

Note: To access your Account Settings from a mobile device, follow the link above or click the menu bar at the top left of the screen (3 horizontal lines), then click Settings. Next, select Subscription from the dropdown in the upper right corner of your screen. Then follow the steps mentioned above.

My account is expired but I’d like to resubscribe. What do I do?

If you previously had a subscription but no longer have access to our site, you won’t need to create another account. Just select Log In when visiting CookingLightDiet.com. Then, enter your pre-existing email address and password information. Follow the steps on the subscription page to get started again. It’s good to have you back!