Meal planning is a game-changer when it comes to saving time, reducing stress, and nourishing your body with healthy meals. Whether you have a busy lifestyle, suffer from a chronic illness, or are dealing with mental health challenges, learning how to meal plan can benefit everyone. In this article, we’ll explore how meal planning can make your life easier and provide some practical tips to teach you how to meal plan.
What Is Meal Planning
Meal planning is like having a personal chef, nutritionist, and time-saver all rolled into one. It’s the process of deciding what to eat ahead of time, making a grocery list, and preparing meals in advance. While it may sound daunting, meal planning is a game-changer that can revolutionize your relationship with food and save you precious time and energy.
How Meal Planning Can Benefit You
Who can benefit from meal planning? The answer is simple: everyone! But let’s take a closer look at how different individuals can reap the rewards of this valuable practice.
Say goodbye to decision fatigue
Ever stood in front of the fridge, wondering what to make for dinner? Meal planning eliminates that daily stress by giving you a clear roadmap of what to cook. No more last-minute scrambles or resorting to takeout. With a well-thought-out plan, you’ll have the answer to that eternal question: “What’s for dinner?”
Promote healthier choices
When you plan your meals in advance, you have the power to make healthier choices. By incorporating a variety of nutritious ingredients and balanced meals, you can ensure that you’re fueling your body with the right nutrients. Plus, it’s easier to resist the temptation of unhealthy snacks when you have a well-stocked pantry.
Save time and money
Meal planning can be a lifesaver for busy individuals and families. By dedicating a little time each week to plan and prep your meals, you’ll save valuable time during hectic weekdays. Additionally, having a shopping list and sticking to it can help you avoid impulse purchases and reduce food waste.
Who Can Benefit From Meal Planning
Who can benefit from meal planning? The answer is simple: everyone! But let’s take a closer look at how different individuals can reap the rewards of this valuable practice.
Those with active lifestyles
If you’re always on the go, meal planning can be a lifesaver. By preparing your meals in advance, you can ensure that you have nutritious options readily available, even when you’re short on time. No more relying on unhealthy fast food or skipping meals altogether.
Those who are chronically ill
Managing a chronic illness can be challenging, especially when it comes to maintaining a healthy diet. Meal planning allows you to take control of your nutrition by carefully selecting ingredients that support your specific dietary needs. It also helps you avoid last-minute decisions that may not align with your health goals.
Those who are mentally ill
Mental health plays a crucial role in our overall well-being. Meal planning can provide stability and structure, which are essential for those dealing with mental health challenges. By having a plan in place, you can ensure that you’re nourishing your body with the right foods, which can positively impact your mood and energy levels.
How to Meal Plan and Prep
Now that we’ve established who can benefit from meal planning, let’s dive into how to meal plan.
Meal Planning Essentials
Firstly, you’ll need a few essentials to make meal planning a breeze. Invest in food storage containers to keep your prepped meals fresh and organized. A lunch box is handy for taking your meals on the go. Additionally, there are numerous apps available that can help you with meal planning, grocery shopping, and even creating customized shopping lists based on your recipes.
Grocery Shopping
Speaking of grocery shopping, it can often feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to stick to a meal plan. One way to make it less stressful is by shopping online for groceries. Many stores offer this convenient service, allowing you to select your items from the comfort of your own home. Alternatively, if you prefer to shop in-store, make a list before heading out. Apps like MyNetDiary can even create that list for you based on your chosen recipes.
Meal Prep
Once you have your groceries, it’s time to prep your food for the week. A few simple strategies can make a world of difference. To make meal prep a breeze, try to incorporate the following strategies:
- Wash fruits and vegetables as soon as you get home. This will save you time during the week when you’re ready to use them. Consider cutting and freezing them too. For example, dice a bunch of bell peppers and freeze them in 1-cup measurements to easily incorporate into your weeknight meals.
- Make big batches of rice and other grains for weekly meals or freeze them for later.
- Prep all your meat. Individually package your raw meat using zip lock bags or vacuum seal bags. Additionally, you can choose to make meals that use ingredients like ground turkey, ground beef and shredded chicken. All main ingredients that can be prepared ahead of time in a big batches and frozen for later. For example, you can get chicken breasts when they’re on sale, come home and put them in a pot of boiling water, shred and store them right away. It usually takes about 30 minutes tops to have chicken cooked, shredded and packaged.
A common misconception about meal planning and prep is that you have to eat the same thing every day. You absolutely do not! Most meal prep containers are freezer-safe, allowing you to freeze those prepped meals for extra time without compromising taste or nutritional value. You can also prep whole meals like casseroles, main dishes such as pulled pork, or even sides like mashed potatoes and fritters. The possibilities are endless!
Finding Recipes
Now that you know the basics of what you’ll need to meal prep, how to grocery shop and how to meal prep, let’s discuss recipes.
There are many resources available for recipes, this blog included. If your at a loss of where to start, try these recipes:
Meal planning is a powerful tool that can save you time, reduce stress, and improve your overall well-being. Whether you have a busy schedule, chronic illness, or mental health challenges, meal planning can be tailored to suit your needs. So, why not give it a try? Visit our recipe index for delicious recipes, make a large batch for the week, or freeze leftovers for later. Your future self will thank you!
