There are several benefits of meal planning weekly besides healthy eating. Here’s why you need to create a menu plan for your family.
I am not a fan of cooking because I never know what to cook and it feels like such a hassle. I always seem to end up eating the same foods over and over again or to avoid it all, I head to the nearest drive thru.
Once I started meal planning, those problems went away. A meal plan, also known as a menu plan, is now the secret behind how I save time, money and my sanity. I can get food on the table with ease (and more importantly, in my belly faster).
There are no rules to meal planning so you can’t mess it up. You just need to set aside a little time each week to do it.
Interested, but not quite convinced? Here are five benefits of meal planning that will have you rushing to create one for yourself.
What Is Menu Planning?
First of all, let me explain what the heck is menu planning a.k.a. meal planning?
When you menu plan, you create a list of meals and snacks that will be prepared for a specified period of time.
The best way to go about the process will come down to personal preference. Some people plan a month’s worth of meals, then cook and freeze them. I prefer doing it once a week and recommend planning for this length of time when you’re just getting started.
5 Benefits of Meal Planning
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1. Grocery Shopping Is A Breeze
After I design a meal plan, I write a list of all the ingredients I need to buy to make the recipes. Then, I take this shopping list with me to the supermarket.
Shopping is efficient because I know exactly what I need. I don’t waste food anymore because I use what I buy and I avoid the irritation of realizing I need an ingredient I don’t have in the middle of cooking. (Does that happen to you too?)
2. You’ll Eat Out Less
Buying food from restaurants is expensive and fast food may be cheaper but it’s certainly not healthy. Cooking your own food is more economical and you control what goes into your meals.
You certainly can eat out but include it in your plan so it’s not a spur of the moment thing. Here’s how to save money at restaurants on those occasions you do decide to go.
3. You’ll Save Money
One of the advantages of meal planning is you’ll save money. It’s cheaper to cook your own meals and you won’t waste food. I was literally throwing money away every time I disposed of rotten vegetables and food that had expired.
Planning to cook meals using ingredients that are in season is a great way to eat well for less. Also, try overlapping ingredients to be used in separate meals. That way, instead of buying chicken, fish, lamb and pork, you can pick two and use them to create various dishes.
4. Avoid Boredom
When you meal plan, you have the time to think about the foods you like. You can try new recipes and use leftovers to create different dishes. For example, leftover meatballs from last night’s spaghetti and meatballs can become tomorrow’s meatball sandwich.
Your diet will be varied and you’ll look forward to your meals instead of dreading the same old dish three nights in a row.
5. Meal Planning Saves Time
If you know what you’re cooking for the entire week, you can prep and even cook meals in advance.
Prepare all the vegetables you need and store them in the fridge or freezer. Marinate, cook and even chop meats like chicken so you can add them to salads or other dishes later. One of the benefits of meal prepping like this is it saves you from doing these tasks each time you need the ingredient.
Now, that you know the importance of meal planning, you can see why I’m all for it. You’ll be able to avoid fast food and you won’t have to eat the same meals several days in a row. Plus, you’ll save time and money.
Are you a believer yet?
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