Meal planning makes eating healthy easier.With a well-thought out meal plan, you can make accurate grocery lists and waste less food, as you will know exactly what you're using each ingredient for, instead of just buying things and figuring out their use later.
Step 1: You need to plan for how many meals and what type of meal.
Looking back on the last week of meals is a good way to do this.What days did you go out to eat?What days did you have left?What days did you have enough time to make a big meal?Since plans can change and food can go bad, it is a good idea to plan your meals no longer than a week in advance.Do you make a unique breakfast sometimes, or do you eat the same thing each morning?Do you pack your lunch at work or do you eat out?What days do you cook?What days do you eat out?How fast do you eat snack foods?Do you need these foods, or do you just eat them when you're around?
Step 2: Pick a week with slots for every meal.
Put three slots under each for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a pen and paper.You can use the template at the bottom of the article or download a free food planning app.
Step 3: You can make a master list of your favorite recipes.
You can quickly fill in your schedule with new meals by collecting your favorite recipes online.If you don't know where to start, you can search online for recipes with some of your favorite ingredients.You can simply look at food websites.A quick internet search for "best recipes" will bring up a lot of food.FoodGawker and other sites and apps allow you to search for recipes by style, time, ingredients and popularity.Remember to look up sides, like salads or vegetable dishes, not just the main course.
Step 4: First, fill in simple meals, like breakfast.
Most people eat a few things every day for breakfast and lunch, but don't often use recipes to decide on cereals and milk.Make a list of the various ingredients you might mix and match, then note the meals on your calendar.You don't need to plan out what you're going to get before you go to the store.If you want to see what looks good at the store, write out 12 slices of cold cuts.
Step 5: It's important to understand the basics of a balanced meal.
Dinners are usually made up of 3 separate parts.The basics of a balanced meal are easy to understand.A main dish is usually a grain.There should be at least 1-2 vegetables or fruits.Each dinner has a grain, a vegetable, and aProtein.Pick three simple recipes instead of trying to make an all inclusive dish.
Step 6: Your week's grocery list should include all of your recipes.
You can mix and match your recipes to create a shopping list.Everything you buy has a purpose in your week.You should cut down on the time and money spent in the store with proper planning if you want to add loose snacks here and there.Before you go to see what you already have, make sure to check your fridge and pantry.Some people find it hard to plan all their meals.Start with dinners and then buy the rest of your groceries.
Step 7: Don't be inflexible every now and then.
No one can plan for everything.Some days you will get home and just don't feel like cooking.A meal plan is not a contract to eat.You can leave open the option of having a "cook's choice" night.It's a good choice for your shopping day, as you can easily buy the right ingredients for a meal on the fly.Meal plans are a good way to limit eating out, but you should still be able to go whenever you want.
Step 8: Use similar ingredients in your recipes to save money and time.
Meal planning is a great way to spend your time and money.If you want to save money, you can find multiple recipes for the Brussels sprout used on Monday and then buy them in bulk.If you choose stir-fries or fried rice that are easy to modify at the end of the week, you can throw in all your leftover vegetables.You can do a chicken salad and chicken taco at the same time.If you want to seasoning the chicken, you can cook it all the first night.
Step 9: The family should be involved in the planning of meals.
You don't have to do this by yourself.Getting the whole family to send in recipes ensures that everyone gets to eat what they want.This is a great way to make sure that kids eat every night.
Step 10: Now is the time to eat healthy throughout the week.
When you plan a meal, make sure you eat healthy food.You can avoid a last-minute box of Mac and Cheese if you only plan healthy meals.You can find something healthy each night if you plan around your schedule.
Step 11: Save money by buying produce that is in season or on sale.
Determining what is in season and how to use it is difficult at the store, but you can easily plan for seasonal fruits and vegetables at home and pick 3-4 recipes that make use of them.Meal planning should include checking out what is on sale online.
Step 12: You can make a "theme night" once a week.
It makes planning that much easier by taking a whole day off of your calendar.You can perfect that option every week.Since you know what you'll need for Hot Salad Saturdays, you can start mixing and matching the recipes at the store.
Step 13: If you want hot or cold foods, check the weather.
Depending on the weather, our food preferences change.Prepare for grilled cheese and soups if there is a cold night.If there is a heat wave, look for meals that don't require a lot of time over a hot oven or stove, like fresh salads or sandwiches.
Step 14: Keep notes on your meal planning and save your receipts.
The first few weeks will be strange as you get used to your new system.To keep track of how much you spend, keep all of your receipts and write down what you think of each recipe.Depending on changing finances, recipes you love, and currently available produce, you'll be able to adjust your schedule.