5 Steps To Successful Meal Planning
Sponsored by Saint Peter’s Healthcare System
Filling seven days with healthy, home-cooked meals can feel intimidating. But a little advance planning goes a long way in helping to pull off a weekly family meal plan. Here’s how to make it happen for a household:
1. Shop in stock.
Take a day each week to organize. Peruse the cabinets to see what there already is on hand. Make note of staples low in stock—such as whole wheat pasta, unsalted canned vegetables, and frozen seafood—and keep an eye out for sales and special prices when shopping.
2. Decide on dishes.
Consult the list of foods in the cabinets, along with grocery store ads and coupon files. Using those ingredients, create a list of five to seven easy-to-prepare, nutritious main courses.
Popular options include tacos, spaghetti, stir-fries, salads, oven-baked chicken, casseroles, and slow-cooker stews. Search for more ideas in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Mixing Bowl at www.whatscooking.fns.usda.gov.
3. Work out the week.
Slot meals into different days on the calendar. Choose simple, tried-and-true favorites for busy nights. Save new menus or complicated recipes for less hectic times, such as weekends.
One time-saving step: Match up main ingredients and cook them in large batches. The same grilled chicken can star in salads on Tuesday and fajitas on Friday. Black beans or ground beef can fill Thursday’s taco shells and Sunday’s stew bowls.
4. Line up the list.
Write down any ingredients needed and organize them by grocery store aisle.
Add a few basics that can give new life to leftovers. For instance, greens can turn leftover salmon into a seafood salad. Canned beans and tomatoes transform uneaten chops into pork chili.
5. Plan the prep work.
After shopping, consider how to make the rest of the week go smoothly. For instance, wash, peel, and chop vegetables for a meal you’re making tomorrow.
Also, consider making extra batches of entire dishes, such as pasta, soups, and stews. Freeze them in family-sized portions before or after cooking for an easy weeknight meal.
© 2000-2018 The StayWell Company, LLC. 800 Township Line Road, Yardley, PA 19067. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional’s instructions.
