How to Plan a Weekly Menu
Part of living a healthy lifestyle must include planning. Without a plan, you're destined to fail. Planning a weekly menu is a good way to maximize the food in your cupboards, reduce stress at the grocery store, save time at home and be more healthy. Plus, planning meals is an excellent way to get the whole family involved in healthy eating!
Things You'll Need
- Paper and Pen
- Creativity
- Recipe Ideas
- Grocery Store Ads
- Inventory of Cupboards
Instructions
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Begin by making a list of every meal that you regularly prepare, have prepared in the past, or would like to try in the future. This is a good time to involve your family. Ask for their input regarding their favorite dishes or ones they don't want to have. Be as thorough as possible; my meal list has over 50 dishes listed.
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Select meals for one week. There is more to this step than just blindly picking 7 meals from the list. This is where you can save money and be healthier. Survey your cupboards to see what you already have on hand. This will reduce food waste/cost. If you have some eggs that need to be used, for example, you may want to plan to have an egg dish one night. Also, plan to use your leftovers in some way; these become planned-overs! For example, extra taco meat from taco night could be frozen or used two nights later for burritos, beefy nachos, taco bake, etc. This will use up your extra taco fixings as well.
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After you have selected your meals, check to see which ingredients you already have and make a grocery list to buy the rest. Buy the ingredients.
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Keep a note posted on the fridge that lists each night's meal for the week. When you organize your meals, keep in mind your family's schedule. Busy days may require one of the meals that is easier/quicker to prepare. Some days may allow you more meal prep time.
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Tips & Warnings
Another way to save money when you are making your weekly meal list is to have the current grocery store ads on hand. Choose meals that include sale items or items for which you have coupons.
Choose meals that incorporate fruits and vegetables that are in season. They will be higher in quality and lower in price. Always plan your side dish(es) as well.
