How to Meal Plan (The Easy Way)

How to Meal Plan: 9 Simple Steps

1. Decide to plan all meals or just dinners. I usually only plan dinners. For breakfast, I stick to a few basics, and eat leftovers for lunch. If you find it hard to eat a healthy breakfast or need snacks because you skip lunch, planning all your meals, at least to start, might help.
   
2. Pick a meal planning day. Choose a day each week (or month) to meal plan. Set aside 30 minutes to a couple of hours, depending on whether you’re planning for a week or a month.
   
   Schedule it in your calendar and stick with it each week. This helps you save money and time, feel less stressed, and eat healthier.
   
3. Peruse your pantry. See what food and kitchen tools you already have before you start planning your meals. Look through your pantry, fridge, and freezer to see what’s available. Check out: 30+ Healthy Freezer Meals for Easy Meal Prep.
   
   Also, check your kitchen equipment. It’s frustrating to plan a sheet pan dinner and then realize your sheet pan is missing when it’s time to cook.
   
4. Decide how many meals you’re planning. If you’re only planning dinners like I do, decide how many you’ll cook at home and how many you’ll eat out or order in. I typically aim for 5 dinners at home and 2 out.
   
5. Make it fun. Need inspiration on what to eat? Check your favorite cookbooks (yes, I have way too many), Pinterest, or recipes clippings.
   
6. Think about using a meal kit delivery service. You don’t have to plan every dinner from scratch. I use Sunbasket a couple of times a week, and Mr. Spicy and I really like most of the recipes. Plus, he’s cooking more now too!
   
7. Explore different themes & cuisines. For ideas, I keep my Easy Guide to Meal Planning cheat sheet in the pantry. I’ve listed different cuisines like Asian or Italian, and meal themes like Taco Tuesday or Soup and Salad Night, to help me come up with a variety of dinner ideas.
8. Make a list of 5+ easy meals that everyone loves. For my family, favorites include grilled cheese with tomato soup, pasta with pesto, lentil tacos, a big salad with my Best Ever Cheese Rolls, and quiche + salad. What are your family’s favorites?
9. Make your grocery list & shop. It does no good to plan your meals if you don’t have any food! Keep a running grocery list, then head to the store. Or order your groceries online. It’s up to you!
   

Become a Meal Planning Pro!

Want to save money, feel less stressed, and eat healthier? “How to Meal Plan (The Easy Way)” will show you how. Here’s what you get:

• Easy Guide to Meal Planning Worksheet
• Healthy Pantry Staples Shopping List
• Blank Weekly Meal Plan Template
• Blank Dinner Meal Plan Template
• 42 Easy Dinner Ideas Recipe Book
• Bonus: 20 Simple Healthy Snacks

Why Meal Planning Is Worth It

Meal planning is more than just deciding what’s for dinner. Spending a little time each week planning can really pay off:

• You’ll save time and mental energy. No more last-minute grocery trips or scrambling to decide what to make each night.
• You’ll spend less money. You’ll eat out less, avoid impulse buys, and waste fewer groceries.
• You’ll waste less food, too. Planning meals around what’s already in your fridge means less gets thrown out, which helps your wallet and the planet.
• You’ll eat better without much extra effort. Studies show that cooking at home usually means smaller portions, more fruits and vegetables, and less sugar and salt.

I know I’m more likely to give in to French fries or a glass of wine when I eat out. Does that happen to you too?