Meal Planning for Beginners

Meal planning helps me with my sanity. For years I would go to the fridge around 5pm and “hope” that I had enough ingredients to make a meal. I would grocery shop with vague ideas of what I wanted to create for the week but by the time it came to remembering, the meal would never happen.

A few years ago I started meal planning. I was working full time and my kids were starting extracurricular activities. I wrote down on a slip of paper what we were going to eat for each meal that week, and my goodness, it changed my entire outlook on grocery shopping. With every week that I meal planned, I noticed that my grocery bill was lower and I wasn’t running to the grocery store every night for the one item I was missing. It’s brilliant.

There are quite a few programs out there for meal planning but it doesn’t have to be difficult. I use a program that is meant for nutritionists called That Clean Life. It puts everything for me into a neat little plan with the recipes and the grocery list as well. Amazing!

If you don’t have a program that you use, I would simply suggest opening up a worksheet on your computer and putting meals under each day. I always pick my meals based on how busy I’m going to be that week. For instance, on Tuesdays I have to have my son to hockey by 5pm so I know that I need to have a meal that I can stick in to my Instant Pot so that it’s done on time. On days that I know I have a bit more time, I’ll pick a meal that might be more time intensive and use more dishes.

If you’re an existing client of mine, I offer my meal planning services as a part of your appointment. I can make one up for you quickly because I already know what your dietary requirements and restrictions are. If you’re not an existing client, I offer my services for $60 a month.

It’s time to save your sanity and start meal planning! Your family, stomach and wallet will thank you :)