I’m not a total professional, but my husband and I have been meal planning and prepping for many years, with and without children. What may seem overwhelming and time-consuming has ultimately saved us time, money, and stress during the week and on busy nights.
Here are meal planning tips and tricks that we use:
Shop the sales
Listen, we all know that money is tight for everyone. I always try to peruse the grocery store’s weekly sales and incorporate what I can into each week’s meal plan. Sounds silly, but the littlest bit adds up!
Stick to a process
Mine is simple and effective, but it doesn’t work for everyone. First I shop the sales and see what I can find. Then I plan each meal, including breakfast, lunch, and snacks. Then I write every ingredient I need for the meals. Lastly, I cross off what I already have in my home. It seems a little crazy but it’s quick, I swear.
Stick to your list
Once you know what you need, write out each item by department. Plan for a few extras and yummy snacks the whole family will love. Then, stick to your list! Past you planned this all out, trust yourself! You’ll thank yourself later, and so will your wallet.
Stick to your kids’ favorites
Okay mama, hear me out. I love it when my kids try new things; it really makes my heart explode. Sometimes they want to eat the best stuff; you want chickpeas and green-colored things? Sure thing, kid. But toddlers? Pre-schoolers? Most of the time absolutely not. There is a lot that you can do for your kids’ eating, but remember that if you want your kiddo to eat something new, make sure they have comfort items on the same plate. I usually go for two comfort items, one new one.
Be flexible and prepared
It’s okay if the meals you’ve planned don’t work out for a certain night, or your kids suddenly hate mac and cheese. You planned for all your meals, feel free to change up the nights. If you prepare for things to go wrong, the week will feel seamless.
Try new recipes
Pick a cookbook or online recipe site and pick a new recipe to try every week! Do I really need to give you an excuse to peruse Pinterest? It makes the week a little fun and takes the mundane out of food. I’d recommend a weekend day, or whichever day is best for you to not rush through cooking. Give your kids a tiny bit of what you eat, and then their comfort meal. You’d be surprised – they may just love the new recipe!
Use several ingredients over several recipes
Guys, no one needs a whole head of lettuce for one meal, okay? This is the best way to be efficient with your ingredients and your wallet. It’s okay to eat the same thing spread out, I promise you won’t get sick of it, especially if you’re changing up your weekly meal planning.
