Meal Planning Made Easy
Once you've started regular meal
planning, mealtime is so easy that you will never know how you managed without it.
Not only does
it save loads of time, a pile of cash and save your sanity to boot, it
almost certainly will bump your family's nutrition up a notch or two as
well.
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By planning your meals and doing
your shopping ahead of time, it's easier to make sure your family eats
healthy and balanced meals. No more reaching for the phone to order a
pizza when everyone's just gotten home from soccer practice and your
fridge is empty.
Quick Tips to Make Family Meal Planning Easy
First, look through your pantry and cupboards and make note of what you have.
Quick Tips to Make Family Meal Planning Easy
First, look through your pantry and cupboards and make note of what you have.
See if there are any foods you can use to plan your family's meals around. For example if you have pasta or rice then create a couple of meals including those staples.
Then sit down and plan your week's menu. Write down each dinner and remember to make allowances for days you don't have a lot of time or get home late.
Then sit down and plan your week's menu. Write down each dinner and remember to make allowances for days you don't have a lot of time or get home late.
For instance, if you know ahead of time Thursday's are stressful then plan something simple to make for that day or even make double on Wednesday and save the leftovers for Thursday.
Once you have your menu write a shopping list while checking your pantry, cupboards and fridge again to make sure you're not buying something you already have.
Then add items you'll need for breakfast, lunch and snacks.
You may not necessarily plan these meals although a quick list of breakfast and snack ideas are extremely helpful as well.
Try going to the supermarket at the same time once a week, it makes planning much easier. You will need to make at least one more trip through the week for fresh fruit and vegetables, just stick to the produce aisle to avoid temptations, and leave the kids at home if possible.
Once you have your menu write a shopping list while checking your pantry, cupboards and fridge again to make sure you're not buying something you already have.
Then add items you'll need for breakfast, lunch and snacks.
You may not necessarily plan these meals although a quick list of breakfast and snack ideas are extremely helpful as well.
Try going to the supermarket at the same time once a week, it makes planning much easier. You will need to make at least one more trip through the week for fresh fruit and vegetables, just stick to the produce aisle to avoid temptations, and leave the kids at home if possible.
When you're buying your vegetables
plan your meals around them to avoid wasting food. Say you buy a bag
of carrots then try to include carrots in several dinners or use them
for snacks to avoid ending up with a fridge full of expired produce at
the end of the week.
When planning your list think of meals that are both nutritious but frugal.
When planning your list think of meals that are both nutritious but frugal.
Casseroles, stews and pasta dishes can be quite inexpensive and also easy to prepare. To save money, include one or two vegetarian meals a week. You can make a nutritious meat-free chili or cheesy pasta bake.
Designating each day of the week by theme will also make meal planning easier. For example, make Tuesday crock pot night, and plan a crockpot dish for each Tuesday. Simple is always good.
If you're making a crock pot stew you can cut the veggies the night before and add them to your crock pot in the morning. Leave your meat thawing in the fridge during the day and leave the items for the evening’s dinner out so that you can easily start cooking once you get in.
Think ahead and use your freezer. If you're making something that freezes well like spaghetti sauce, a stew or casserole make double and freeze the second portion for those days where you just don't have any time to cook.
If you're making a crock pot stew you can cut the veggies the night before and add them to your crock pot in the morning. Leave your meat thawing in the fridge during the day and leave the items for the evening’s dinner out so that you can easily start cooking once you get in.
Think ahead and use your freezer. If you're making something that freezes well like spaghetti sauce, a stew or casserole make double and freeze the second portion for those days where you just don't have any time to cook.
BTW, anything with pototoes in it doesn't usually freeze well.
Finally, don't forget to stick your menu on your fridge or other prominent place and plan ahead every day.
The trick to meal planning is to set aside the time regularly to plan. Once you have a month or more ahead, it will take much less time. And then remember to follow your plan. It's well worth the effort.
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Finally, don't forget to stick your menu on your fridge or other prominent place and plan ahead every day.
The trick to meal planning is to set aside the time regularly to plan. Once you have a month or more ahead, it will take much less time. And then remember to follow your plan. It's well worth the effort.
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More Resources
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