It has been years since we started creating weekly meal plans and sharing these plans with you here on this blog, under the section "Weekly Menus", and we are happy to announce that those who embarked on this type of planning were not disappointed. However, if you are starting out and hesitate to dive headfirst into meal planning, we have outlined some of the reasons most compelling reasons why you should do it.
The First Step is Understanding Why You Should Plan Your Meals
Preparing meals in advance presents several advantages. At least in terms of health, when you cook your own food, you know exactly what it contains. No more added sugars and other unhealthy ingredients in prepared dishes, and place for healthy and balanced meals.
Meal planning allows you to save money by making more informed decisions on what to buy and how much to cook, and it reduces waste at the restaurant. And then, most importantly, you would calm your mind and put an end to the mental stress of trying to figure out what everyone ate for dinner tonight.
Select One Day for Prep and Another for Shopping
Having the flexibility in our schedules to do grocery shopping on Friday means we can plan our weekly meals on Thursday night. Choose what suits you best, but spread it over two days so you can relax while planning your meals and checking what is left in the refrigerator and pantry before heading to the store.
Write Your Meal Plan
This sounds bad, but in fact, note your weekly meals. You can write them in a notebook, on a whiteboard, or on a smartphone app so everyone can see them. You have to let your mind wander and put together menus in the kitchen, but do it clearly.
Once you have put together a set of meal plans, you can create a shopping list.
Browse the weekly menus displayed here, browse some culinary publications, or simply ask friends or neighbors what they are eating right now to inspire you.
Identify the Difficult Days
There are nights when I come home late and no one has time to prepare dinner. These days, lasagna is often on the menu. This poses the question: why?
Because lasagna can be prepared in advance (on the weekend and kept in the fridge) and it is even better when reheated, it is an excellent dish to have on hand for unexpected guests. Plan ahead for days you need ready-to-reheat meals by determining when you will eat on-site.
Also read: strategies to increase physical activity throughout the day
Prepare Several Dishes at Once
When you have time to prepare a dish in advance, use it to your advantage by introducing a second dish. This is the concept behind bulk cooking. It's as simple as starting a pot of vegetable soup simmering while you prepare other dishes for the day, keeping a few to reheat the next day, or making a pear and cranberry pie to enjoy the day after.
Make Good Use of Your Freezer
Think about freezing leftover pissaladière or keeping half the corn chili meat you didn't eat. This will serve as an ideal base for quick meals. Make sure to write the contents and the packaging expiration date, as it is likely you will forget it in a few weeks!
Cut and Wash Your Vegetables in Advance
When I come home after a round of golf, you perform a simple ritual you would recommend to your friends and family. I do some pre-planning to ensure I have fresh vegetables on hand. For example, to ensure less waste in my vegetables and to get a head start on meal prep, I mix a batch of vegetable cubes and freeze them before using them to make soup.
Alternatively, you steam onions while you gather the rest of the groceries.
If You Want to Order via a Delivery Service, Prepare in Advance
Just because everyone has made it their mission to eat as much as possible at home doesn't mean delivery services have been interrupted. But it's much better if you write it down on the plan. That way, you can factor it into your planning and finances.
And during the pandemic, when restaurants have to close, ordering meals is a way to help them by reducing pressure on their kitchens.
