The Smart Way to Sell Meal Plans on Payhip (For Nutrition Coaches)

Maybe some were for clients who needed low-carb options. Others might’ve been tailored for athletes bulking up or busy moms trying to eat cleaner. But here’s the thing, those meal plans are digital gold.

If they’re just sitting in a folder on your computer, you’re missing out on passive income. That’s exactly where Payhip comes in.

I started selling my meal plans after realizing I was sending the same type of content to client after client. I cleaned up one of my plans, turned it into a downloadable PDF, and listed it on Payhip. I figured if it helped one person, it could help ten. By the end of the month, it had helped fifty. And the best part? I didn’t need a website, a designer, or even a tech background.

Here’s the smartest way to turn your meal plans into a legit side hustle using Payhip.

Step 1: Niche Down Your Meal Plans for Maximum Impact

You might be tempted to create a generic “7-Day Healthy Meal Plan.” Don’t. That space is too crowded. Instead, niche down.

Ask yourself:

• Who do I usually help?

• What eating habits do they struggle with?

• What’s a goal they’re trying to hit?

Then build a plan around that. Here are a few niche ideas:

• “Meal Plan for PCOS with Simple Anti-Inflammatory Recipes”

• “High-Protein Vegetarian Meal Plan for Women Over 40”

• “7-Day Clean Eating Plan for Busy Entrepreneurs”

• “Muscle Gain Meal Plan for Beginner Lifters”

The more specific, the better. You’ll speak directly to someone’s needs—and they’ll be more likely to buy.

Step 2: Build the Plan Using Simple Tools You Already Know

You don’t need to hire a designer or invest in fancy software. I created my first meal plan using:

• Google Docs for writing and layout

• Canva to make it visually appealing

• ChatGPT (yep) to brainstorm meals and calorie breakdowns

A solid meal plan should include:

• Daily meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks)

• A complete grocery list

• Portion sizes or macros (if relevant)

• Substitution tips and prep hacks

Format it as a clean, printable PDF, bonus points if you include a mobile-friendly version too.

Step 3: Upload and Sell on Payhip (It’s Free to Start)

This part blew me away with how easy it was. Here’s what I did:

1. Signed up at Payhip.com

2. Clicked Add Product → Digital Product

3. Uploaded my PDF (and any extras like a shopping list or bonus snack guide)

4. Titled it something clear like: “7-Day Gut Health Meal Plan for Beginners”

5. Wrote a benefit-focused description: “Beat bloat and improve digestion in just 7 days—no restrictive dieting.”

6. Added 2-3 preview images I made on Canva (I just screenshotted pages from the plan)

7. Set the price: I started at $15, and tested higher later with bonuses

That’s it. Now I had a link I could share on Instagram, in my email list, or even in DMs when someone asked for advice.

Step 4: Market Without Being Pushy

You don’t need a big following to get sales. You just need to talk to the people who already trust you.

Here’s what worked for me:

• Shared a one-day free sample plan as a lead magnet to build my email list

• Posted “what I eat in a day” stories on Instagram and linked to the full plan

• Answered DMs like “Any healthy meal ideas?” with “Yes! I’ve got a full plan here”

• Used Pinterest to post a few pins like “Meal Plan for IBS” or “Quick Anti-Bloat Meal Plan”

If you already coach people 1:1, you can offer your Payhip plan as an add-on or upsell. I once sold three plans in a day just by dropping the link in a client email thread.

Step 5: Scale With Bundles, Discounts, and Coaching Add-Ons

After your first plan is live and selling, don’t stop there. You can:

• Bundle two plans together (e.g., “Clean Eating + Plant-Based Muscle Pack”)

• Offer a discount code for your email list

• Create a “VIP Coaching Pack” that includes the plan + a 30-minute consultation

• Run seasonal launches (e.g., “New Year Reset” or “Back-to-School Fuel Plan”)

Payhip even lets you:

• Add coupons

• Sell memberships

• Collect emails and send updates right from the dashboard

You don’t need to duct tape five tools together—it’s all built in.

Final Thoughts: Start Simple, Then Grow

Selling meal plans doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t need a site. You don’t need a tech background. You just need one helpful product, a free Payhip account, and the willingness to share it.

Your work as a nutrition coach already changes lives. So let your meal plans work for you—24/7—even when you’re not in a coaching session.

And that first $15 sale? It hits way harder than you think. It’s proof that what you know is valuable—and people are ready to pay for it.