How To Start Meal Planning: For the Beginner

How to start meal planning for the beginner. Do you struggle with meal planning? Decide what you are going to eat at the last minute, then end up hitting the drive-thru or the pizza parlor. Me too!! Meal planning can be life changing but it takes time and planning. In this post, we will go through the best way I know how to meal plan so you can eat healthy and not stress over the decision on what to make. It will save you money and time by making a plan and sticking to it. Let’s get to it! Follow these 4 Steps to become a meal-planning pro.

1. Choose a Meal Planner and Create Goals

Choose what you will use to plan your meals. Maybe a template, an app, a notebook, or even a calendar. Whatever will help you. You can make a weekly or 30-day meal plan, whichever will help you and keep you consistent. Here is one I created in Canva that you can use for free. Feel free to print this out and make a weekly, daily, or monthly plan. Here is also an inexpensive one from Amazon. Write it down and post it somewhere that you can see it. Next, create goals to keep you motivated. Ask yourself, why do you want to meal plan? Do you want to have a healthier lifestyle? Do you want to save money? Less stress? Do you need to change your lifestyle? Creating goals will help keep you motivated and consistent. Feel free to use this template for your goal-setting.

2. Choose Recipes

Create a “meal repertoire” with your favorite recipes. Choose 30 of your favorite recipes and consistently rotate through them. Also, keep a repertoire of quick and simple recipes for busy nights or when you are short on time. I love to choose theme nights. Assign a theme to each day of the week to add variety and excitement to your meals.

For example:

• Meatless Monday- Create your favorite meatless dishes.
• Taco Tuesday- Enjoy tacos made with ground beef, chicken, or fish. Enjoy with Spanish rice and beans.
• Stir-Fry Wednesday: Create a stir-fry dish with your choice of protein and plenty of vegetables.
• Pasta Night: Prepare different pasta dishes such as spaghetti and meatballs with marinara, pesto pasta, or creamy alfredo.
• Soup Night: Create your favorite homemade soup such as chicken noodle, chicken tortilla, or baked potato soup.
• Fish Friday: Cook seafood dishes such as grilled salmon, baked tilapia, or shrimp stir-fry
• Slow Cooker Saturday: Utilize your slow cooker for easy meals like pulled pork sandwiches or beef stew.
• Sunday Roast: Prepare a roast chicken, beef, or pork with roasted vegetables and grains.

Also, plan for leftovers in your meal planning and remix meals using the leftovers. For example: Turn leftover grilled chicken into chicken quesadillas, chicken salad wraps, or chicken and rice. Use leftover ground beef in a casserole or chili. Be creative with your leftovers.

Include meals your family loves but try to incorporate healthier ingredients or cooking methods. For instance, make homemade versions of pizza, burgers, or tacos. Sneak extra veggies into dishes by adding them to sauces, soups, and casseroles or smoothies. Try experimenting with healthier cooking methods such as grilling, baking, steaming, or air frying instead of frying.

3. Shopping List

To start meal planning and to be successful with it, you need to create a shopping list. There is nothing worse than going to make dinner and finding out you don’t have an ingredient. It is easiest to make the shopping list as you are creating your weekly meal plan. Don’t forget to bring it with you when you go shopping, something I have done many times. It is also convenient, to keep your shopping list on your refrigerator so your family can add items you are out of. While creating your shopping list have your local sales ads out so you can plan around sales and seasonal produce. Don’t forget to check your pantry!

4. Prep Ahead

Once you are back from shopping for the week, take some time to prep ahead. Wash and cut veggies for meals or snacks. Marinate meat, cook grains or prepare any sauces or dressings you may need for the weekly meals. This will make meal preparation during the week so much easier and faster. Also, create easy-to-grab-and-go snacks for hunger between meals. This will help you to eat much healthier.

Enjoy having your meal planning done! You will eat healthier, save money, and have much less stress. Please share your meal planning successes and struggles. I would love to hear your tips and if this post was helpful for you.

Happy Planning!

Danelle

Need some recipe ideas, try these. Mexican Beef in the Crockpot or Green Chili Chicken Casserole

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