Most folks know that meal planning is the key to avoiding
food impulse purchases and unhealthy take out, as well as saving money. But I
still think many people are overwhelmed at the idea of sitting down to meal
plan that they continue with their bad habits even when they want change. But
meal planning is as close to a “magic potion” as you can get in terms of
keeping organized and spending less. It doesn’t have to be scary. Here are some
tips to keep in mind if you’re just starting out with the practice and are still
feeling overwhelmed:
Stay true to yourself: Don’t try to plan gourmet
recipes and elaborate dishes from scratch if you aren’t a huge fan of cooking.
Similarly, if you do want to embrace your inner chef, go for it and enjoy. In
other words, consider what kind of cook you are, and how your family really
eats. There is nothing wrong with boxed mac and cheese and a bagged salad for
dinner.
Start simple: If planning for a week or two weeks at
a time feels looming, commit to just even three days of planned meals and see
how it goes. You’ll soon find that it’s not as scary as you think to begin
thinking ahead.
Enlist help: Ask your spouse and kids for ideas for
meals; this can be a consistent habit when you meal plan so you share the
responsibility and don’t feel alone. You’ll soon realize your family may prefer
many “go to” meals and you don’t have to reinvent the wheel.
Double Up: Plan a meal that can be utilized as
leftovers the next night, such as lasagna or baked ziti with salad and garlic
bread. You can also think of easy dinner items that can be reimagined the
following day so you’re consolidating ingredients. For instance, a store-bought
rotisserie chicken can make a lovely meal one night with some easy sides, and
you can turn the leftover meat into chicken salad wraps for everyone’s lunch
the following day.
Shop at home first: I cannot stress enough how
essential it is to take inventory of what’s already in your kitchen first, then
plan meals around those items. This will save you tons in terms of time and
money, and prevent waste. See what meals you can come up with to finish that open
jar of tomato sauce in the fridge, opened frozen peas, and fancy Thai peanut
sauce that’s been sitting in the pantry for a while. If all else fails, Google is your friend.
Finally, try to think of food and meals you can make in the
background of your mind all week before you actually sit down to plan. Craving
meatballs? Jot it down. See a yummy salad idea on Instagram? Bookmark it. Kids
asking for taco night again? Make a mental note. Brainstorming in advance will
make the actual planning a piece of cake.
