4 Simple Steps to Family Meal Planning

4 Simple Steps to Family Meal Planning

There are so many benefits to meal planning for your family, including healthy eating. By taking the time to learn how to plan weekly meals, you can control your portions and avoid eating empty calories. In addition to these benefits, meals eaten at home are usually less expensive and higher in nutrients.

Planning healthy, balanced family meals for the week can be a time saver, especially for people who are really busy. By shopping for your meals once a week, you can save time, money and gas by making fewer trips to the grocery store, and skipping the drive thru. Take some time to learn how to plan balanced meals for your family and you will save time, eat better, and be healthier.

1. Get Ideas

When you plan meals with your children in mind, they will be more likely to eat what is prepared. Ask them and other family members what foods they would like to eat during the week. It also makes it easier to get help with the meal prep and clean-up if their favorite foods are included. Search the web for delicious recipes and to get more ideas.

2. Plan by personality

Do you fresh foods or convenient foods to make the meal faster? Is cooking something you enjoy and don’t mind spending time doing? Do you make your food from scratch or do you rely on frozen and canned foods make the meal easier to prepare? Yhese little decisions determine your cooking style. Once you know your style you can get recipe recommendations and  make personalized shopping lists.

3. Keep healthy food on hand

Having meal staples on your shopping list makes it easier to create quick meals on busy nights. Make sure your home is stocked with healthy foods from all of the food groups like milk, cheese, tomatoes, garlic, onions, apples, bananas, bread, cereal, pasta, rice, tortillas, beans, etc. The food you have on hand will determine how healthy you eat so, choose wisely.

4. Shop once for the week

Once you have made a list of the recipes you’re planning to prepare, including snacks and staples, make a list of all the ingredients that you will need to prepare these meals. Try using ZipList to organize your healthy recipes and compile your shopping list. Make sure your list includes nutrient-rich foods from all the food groups, then check your pantry and refrigerator to see what you may already have on hand. Make adjustments to your list and take your list to the store.