7 Meal Planning Tips You Need to Know

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I get a TON of email about meal planning so I’m going to share a few of my meal planning tricks and tips you need to know. Some people are struggling with this, so I hope this is going to help some of you. Here are my 7 Meal Planning Tips You Need to Know.

1. Don’t plan your life around your meals

Always think about your activities for the next week first. If you know that you are going to be busy for most of the day and night, avoid trying new recipes. Is there going to be a night when you won’t have to prepare anything for dinner? Ask yourself these questions.

2. Have easy and regular meals ready

I have a few of these. For example, a rotisserie chicken shows very often on my meal plan. You will be able to make 2 meals off of one most of the time. Try making some chicken stock if you like it. Some people have a few crockpot meals that fit into easy-to-make meals.

Try balancing your week with one or two meals that are harder to make and a few easier ones.

3. Emergency Meals

You should probably have a few emergency meals in your freezer. For example, Stouffer’s lasagnas. You are probably not going to eat these very often, but you will figure out that it is a lot better than fast food. It’s great when you come home unexpectedly with a sick kid, or when you couldn’t get to the grocery store.

Try to get better with making double meals from your home-made dishes. Freeze some if you need to.

You can always have breakfast for dinner. Some people don’t like this, but if you are living alone or if you are alone often, why not?

4. Try only one new recipe each week

It takes more energy and time to make a new meal. Just stick to what you are able to make and come up with only one new recipe each week.

5. Check the fridge, pantry, and freezer to know what you have

If you have to use something, try to put that into your weekly plan. Try to get better at using what you have at home rather than constantly buying new stuff. This is going to decrease the money you spend in the grocery store and will also reduce spoilage.

6. Make your grocery shopping list when you write out your meal plan

Try to go to the grocery store only once every week. This will save you a lot of time! It is going to help you that you don’t forget anything. If you sync your grocery shopping with meal planning you will notice how helpful it is.

7. Keep historical notes

This is a very important tip that will help you to stay organized. Keep your meal planning in a spreadsheet. Here are a couple of benefits:

• You will save a link to the recipes you found, tried, and liked.
• You will save a list of all of your meals. This is going to give you an opportunity to choose from if you don’t have any ideas.
• You will have a place for recipes that you really want to try. If you find something that you want to try, you can save the link and make the meal later.

Here are some other posts you may find useful:

• Weekly Meal Planner Tips to Save Time
• How to Organize Your Meal Planning and Grocery Shopping
• 1000 Recipes For Meal Planning