We've been creating weekly meal plans and sharing them with you here on this blog , under the heading " Weekly Meal Plans ," for years now, and we're happy to report that those who have tried this type of planning haven't been disappointed. However, if you're just starting out and hesitant to dive headfirst into meal planning, we've outlined some of the most compelling reasons why you should.
The first step is to understand why you should plan your meals
Preparing meals in advance has several advantages . At least in terms of health, when you cook your own food, you know exactly what's in it. No more added sugars and other unhealthy ingredients in ready-made meals, and hello to healthy, balanced meals .
Meal planning saves you money by allowing you to make more informed decisions about what to buy and how much to cook, and it reduces food waste when eating out. And most importantly, it calms your mind and eliminates the mental strain of trying to figure out what everyone had for dinner tonight.
Select one day for preparation and another for the race
Having the flexibility to do your grocery shopping on Friday means you can plan your meals for the week on Thursday evening. Choose what works best for you, but spread it over two days so you can relax while planning your meals and checking what's left in the fridge and pantry before heading to the store .
Write your meal plan
It sounds bad, but it's true : keep a record of your weekly meals. You can write them in a notebook, on a whiteboard, or in a smartphone app so everyone can see them. You need to let your mind wander and plan menus in the kitchen, but make sure you 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 food publications, or simply ask friends or neighbors what they are eating at the moment for inspiration.
Identify the difficult days
There are those nights when I get home late and no one has time to prepare dinner . These days, lasagna is often on the menu. This begs the question : why?
Because lasagna can be prepared in advance (over the weekend and kept in the refrigerator) and tastes even better reheated, it's a great dish to have on hand for unexpected guests . Plan ahead for days when you'll need ready-to-heat meals by determining when you'll be eating in.
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 basic concept of bulk cooking . It's just as easy to start a pot of vegetable soup in the background while you prepare other dishes for the day, keeping some to reheat the next day, or to make a pear and cranberry pie to enjoy the day after.
Make good use of your freezer
Consider freezing leftover pissaladière or saving half of the chili corn meat you didn't eat. It makes a great base for quick meals. Be sure to write down the contents and expiration date on the package , as you'll likely forget about it in a few weeks!
Cut and wash your vegetables in advance
When I get home from a round of golf, I have a simple ritual that I recommend to my friends and family . I plan ahead to make sure I have fresh vegetables on hand. For example, to minimize waste and get a head start on meal prep, I chop up a batch of diced vegetables and freeze them before using them to make soup.
Alternatively, you steam some onions while you gather the rest of the groceries .
If you wish to order via a delivery service, prepare in advance.
Just because everyone has made it their mission to eat at home as much as possible doesn't mean delivery services have stopped. But it's much better if you write it into your 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 the pressure on their kitchens.
