Meal Planning Basics

With all of the responsibilities that come with adult life, it can often be difficult to come up with healthy, wholesome food for every meal.

There is much you can gain from planning your meals ahead of time. You control exactly what goes into your food, you can use fresh produce from the farmers market, try new recipes, improve your cooking skills, cater to special diets, and it’s cost effective.

First, come up with 10 – 12  healthy recipes that the whole family enjoys. Keep them handy in a folder or binder for reference.

Next, organize and take inventory on your freezer. This will help you stay stocked on staple items and also help you use up items that are nearing expiration.

For pantry and refrigerator items, keep a notepad in an easy to access location and write down items as you start to run low. This will help you incorporate staple items into your main grocery list before heading to the store.

Lastly, come up with a meal plan that works for you and your family. Some use a monthly calendar, and some use a weekly calendar. The calendar can be used for all meals and snacks or for dinners only. Find a fit that works best with your family’s schedule.

Article adapted from Weston A. Price.